Guo Xin

Biodata

History

School Life

Guo Xin is introduced hiding a novel behind an English textbook beside Cheng Che. He regularly asks Cheng Che to bring him breakfast, paying nine yuan for a jianbing, including a one-yuan errand fee 1 5.

He is among the first classmates to notice Cheng Che’s clearer skin and increased height. His initial surprise at Cheng Che’s academic improvement develops into requests for math help, and he credits sitting beside Cheng Che and Lin Xiao with raising his own grades 3 5 19 31.

Guo Xin also introduces Cheng Che to a WeChat group advertising daily-pay work, including flyer distribution, mascot costumes, and mall promotions 6.

During Class Five’s basketball game against Class Seven, he plays alongside Cheng Che and Liang Chao. He supplies the final pass for Cheng Che’s buzzer-beating shot, securing a 48–47 victory 8.

Cheng Che’s Growing Fame

Guo Xin loudly publicizes Cheng Che’s exam successes, announcing both his 508-point result and his later rise to thirtieth in the school with 630 points. On the latter occasion, he climbs onto a flower-bed edge to shout praises until Cheng Che pulls him down 7 19.

A devoted Yan Ruanning fan, he discovers Cheng Che’s appearance in her music video and floods his QQ chat with demands for ten autographs. Later, he refuses to believe Cheng Che is eating at her house and dismisses a photograph as AI-generated. Cheng Che leaves him unaware that Yan Ruanning is Old Xu’s daughter 24 28 29.

Seeing the attention Cheng Che attracts makes Guo Xin reconsider his own fantasies of entering show business. He worries about losing his privacy and attracting stalker fans, despite jokingly insisting that he is handsome enough to have fans himself 25.

After Graduation

After the college entrance examinations, Guo Xin and Cheng Che play League of Legends at an internet café before attending their class reunion. Guo Xin insists on private rooms after an earlier visit left him ignored while girls gathered around Cheng Che. At karaoke, his poor singing draws laughter; he then pushes Cheng Che to perform and is astonished by his voice 36.

The two enroll at Hongyu Driving School, where Guo Xin boasts that he will obtain his license first and borrow his uncle’s secondhand Santana. He subsequently accompanies Cheng Che’s family to Pond Village, wins over the grandparents, and catches a small crucian carp on his first fishing trip 37.

When online commenters attack Cheng Che’s claim that Tsinghua or Peking University is within reach, Guo Xin argues with them for three days. He calls Cheng Che to boast that he has taken on eight trolls, refusing to ignore insults directed at his friend 37 38.

University Admission and Tennis Support

Concerned that their grades will take them to different universities, Guo Xin agrees with Cheng Che that they can at least study in the same city. After Cheng Che chooses Peking University, Guo Xin spends two days and nights researching applications and selects a Capital City university specifically to remain nearby 31 39.

He brings his admission letter to Cheng Che’s home as a surprise, only to discover that Cheng Che has already departed for a tennis tournament in Hang City. He sends a message announcing his university choice and demanding that Cheng Che return with the championship 39.

Guo Xin continues following the tournament remotely. He offers to respond to Zhou Kaiyue’s public challenge, though Cheng Che declines, and calls after Cheng Che’s victory 41 44.

Personality

Guo Xin is loud, irreverent, and quick with a joke. He mocks Zhao Lei through a League of Legends character impression, blames his parents’ genes when his mother compares him unfavorably with Cheng Che, and invents increasingly elaborate excuses for his poor performance while gaming 8 24 36.

His envy of Cheng Che’s looks and popularity coexists with genuine loyalty. He celebrates Cheng Che’s achievements, seeks his help without disguising his admiration, and defends him against online abuse. His decision to attend university in the same city gives practical weight to their otherwise teasing friendship 19 31 38 39.

Despite his usual bravado, he initially worries that joining Cheng Che’s family trip would make him a freeloader. Once welcomed, he is affectionate and polite toward the older family members, especially Cheng Che’s grandparents 37.

Relationships

• Cheng Che — Deskmate, close friend, gaming partner, and basketball teammate. Their friendship continues beyond graduation and shapes Guo Xin’s university choice 1 8 36 39.
• Lin Xiao — Classmate seated in front of him. He credits her and Cheng Che with helping improve his academic performance 3 31.
• Zhao Lei — Classmate he openly mocks for belittling Cheng Che and then losing to him academically 7 8.
• Yan Ruanning — His celebrity idol. He demands her autograph after learning that Cheng Che appeared in her music video 24.
• Mother Guo — His mother, who scolds his phone use and compares him with Cheng Che; he answers with cheeky remarks 24.
• Cheng Che’s family — Familiar and welcoming hosts. Jiang Xue invites him along to Pond Village, and Zhou Lan is delighted by his affectionate greetings 37.

Notable Quotes

“No way! You're my brother. How could I pretend not to see them insulting you?” 38

“Pick a city, and I'll find whatever school I can near one you can get into. We can still game together on weekends.” 31