Zhao Li

Biodata

Background / History

Zhao Li joined the special department during his sophomore year because he thought its work sounded exciting. Years later, he privately regretted the exhausting workload, despite having told his boss that the job made him happy and gave his life meaning 15.

His first relationship began with a friend who accepted his confession. After they had dated for more than a year, she admitted that she had never developed romantic feelings and had accepted because she did not want to lose his friendship. Zhao Li later used this experience to warn Wen Ce against assuming that affection between friends was mutual romantic interest 35.

By the time Zhao Li visited Wen Ce’s apartment, the two had been partners for three years 14.

Personality

Zhao Li is talkative, teasing, and openly curious about romance. He jokes about looking for pretty university students, asks whether Luo Lianqing is single, and quickly notices Wen Ce’s jealousy when he expresses interest in her. He encourages Wen Ce to pursue her, pointing out the advantage of living directly across the hall 6 14.

He uses conversations with Wen Ce to release work-related frustration. He values Wen Ce as someone he can safely confide in who will listen without saying much. Although he complains about his boss, colleagues, and assignments, Wen Ce’s reassurance that he is irreplaceable noticeably lifts his spirits 14 15.

His failed first relationship leaves him wary of mistaking friendship for love. When Wen Ce admits liking someone, Zhao Li responds with both jealousy and concern about whether a relationship could survive their long work absences. He later regrets speaking so negatively when he sees Wen Ce losing confidence 34 35.

Abilities & Skills

Surveillance and Field Operations

Zhao Li participates in covert monitoring and counterespionage assignments 1 7.

• Monitors surveillance feeds and communicates with Wen Ce through an earpiece during the adult-shop operation 1 2.
• Follows the tracked item’s route to Wen Ce’s university and shares the suspected professor’s photograph and location 7.
• Explains the team’s plan to keep watching the professor before recovering the bait and arresting those involved 7.

Observation and Deduction

Zhao Li draws conclusions from everyday details as well as changes in Wen Ce’s behavior 14 34.

• Deduces that Luo Lianqing supplied Wen Ce’s freshly baked cookies from his lack of an oven, his clothing, and the apartment layout 14.
• Recognizes Wen Ce’s unusually tender expression while messaging someone as a possible sign of romance 34.
• His deductions are not always accurate: he interprets Wen Ce’s refusal to share the cookies as romantic possessiveness, unaware that they were treats intended for Egg Yolk 14.

Sparring and Driving

• Spars with Wen Ce after the breach investigation; Wen Ce complains that Zhao Li dragged him into it immediately after three days without proper rest 34.
• Drives quickly during the urgent database-breach response and later takes Wen Ce home when he cannot get a taxi 32 33 35.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Stolen-Chemical Operation

• Helps monitor an exchange involving a fake chemical containing a newly developed tracker. He explains that Uncle Chou bypassed procedure to avoid delays that could let the suspects escape 1.
• Persuades Wen Ce to enter the adult shop when a masked, rabbit-eared customer remains inside. The target already knows Zhao Li and Luo Cheng, whereas Wen Ce’s identity is closely protected 1.
• Watches the suspect leave an item behind a display doll after the customer—Luo Lianqing—flees her encounter with Wen Ce 2.
• Later visits Wen Ce’s university after the tracker leads to a laboratory and an elderly professor suspected of espionage. Uncle Chou also sends him to warn Wen Ce because of the possible connection to his university 7 8.

Case Transfer and Apartment Visit

• Visits Wen Ce with groceries after another department takes over the case, frustrated that his team has lost an assignment it spent weeks pursuing 13 15.
• Buries his face in Wen Ce’s shoulder at the doorway. Luo Lianqing witnesses the gesture and mistakenly suspects that the two are a couple; Wen Ce later clears up the misunderstanding 13 18.
• Teases Wen Ce about Luo Lianqing and eats one of her cookies before Wen Ce realizes they match Egg Yolk’s treats 14.

Database Breach and Luo Cheng’s Arrest

• Collects Wen Ce after a breach of the bioengineering database section. He explains that the intrusion occurred when someone on their side logged in and unlocked the system 32 33.
• Is deeply affected when Luo Cheng is exposed and arrested as a traitor. Because they were partners, Zhao Li faces investigation and expects to be unable to work for an extended period 34.
• Says he has found a place in Wen Ce’s residential complex and plans to visit frequently for meals. Wen Ce limits the offer to two meals 34.
• On the drive home, recounts his failed first relationship, inadvertently making Wen Ce doubt whether Luo Lianqing likes him 35.

Relationships

• Wen Ce — Friend and three-year work partner. Zhao Li seeks him out for meals, emotional support, and conversation, while also teasing him about his withdrawn habits and romantic life 14 15 34 35.
• Uncle Chou — His boss. Zhao Li follows his operational instructions but privately complains about him and jokes that Wen Ce receives the treatment of a biological son while everyone else is adopted 1 8 15.
• Luo Cheng — Work partner whose exposure as a traitor leaves Zhao Li distressed and directly disrupts his duties 34.
• Luo Lianqing — Wen Ce’s counselor and neighbor. Zhao Li admires her appearance, asks whether she is available, and encourages Wen Ce to pursue her 7 13 14.
• Unnamed first love — Former friend and girlfriend who ended their relationship after admitting she had never felt romantic attraction toward him 35.