Bai Huan

Biodata

Background / History

University and Relationship with Lou Quan

Bai Huan was one of the children from civilian and impoverished families supported by Lou Hua. He was the only beneficiary admitted to the same university as her son, Lou Quan. At Lou Hua’s request, Lou Quan looked after him, and the two developed romantic feelings. Lou Quan publicly acknowledged Bai Huan as his boyfriend and intended their relationship to last for life 240.

They became a couple on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Lou Hua wholeheartedly supported their relationship and affectionately called Bai Huan “Xiao Huan” 64 126.

Coerced Betrayal and Lou Hua’s Death

Lou Quan’s half-siblings kidnapped Bai Huan’s family and forced him to approach Lou Quan and pass information to them. Although Bai Huan and Lou Quan subsequently developed feelings for each other, his initial approach had been an act 240.

While shopping with Lou Hua for a gift to celebrate Lou Quan’s promotion, Bai Huan answered the siblings’ request for their location. A terrorist attack followed, critically injuring both of them. Lou Hua, who had been closer to the explosion, was fatally wounded. Bai Huan confessed the coercion and his deception at her deathbed; he had not expected the information requests to lead to violence 240.

Lou Quan wanted to kill him, but Lou Hua made her son promise not to take revenge on Bai Huan, hurt him, or kill him. Their romantic relationship collapsed. Bai Huan’s parents, already gravely ill, died shortly after their release 240.

Move to Yong'an Base

When Lou Quan transferred to Yong'an Base, Bai Huan followed him, hoping to atone. He became a Chinese teacher at the base’s elementary school, while his household registration remained at Central Base 21 240.

Appearance

Bai Huan has a slender figure and is considered good-looking by Tao Qiu’s children. His appearances around Lou Quan frequently show exhaustion, distress, or injuries rather than a composed public appearance 21 22 64 190.

• Slender back and waist: He holds himself upright while trying to conceal a limp after leaving Lou Quan’s office 22.
• Small mole: A mole is noted on the back of his hand 64.
• Visible decline: By Lou Quan’s removal to Central Base, he has lost considerable weight and has red, swollen eyes from crying 166.

Personality

Bai Huan remains deeply attached to Lou Quan despite knowing that their former relationship has ended. He seeks small signs of affection, remembers their anniversary, and continues trying to care for him. His remorse is severe: he regards himself as guilty of deception, betrayal, and complicity, and believes Lou Quan has reason to hate him 64 126.

His manner with children is gentle. Even while stunned by the revelation that Tao Qiu and Lou Yu have three children together, he instinctively bends down to speak kindly to them. He also recognizes conversational boundaries: when Lou Yu avoids answering questions about Tao Qiu’s origins, Bai Huan changes the subject rather than pressing him 190.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Estrangement and Abuse

Bai Huan first appears leaving Lou Quan’s office, where Lou Yu encounters his tired, bloodshot eyes and strained smile. His physical discomfort and the state of the office lead Lou Yu to infer that the two have just been intimate. Although Lou Quan once proudly introduced him as his boyfriend, outsiders now regard Bai Huan as a secret lover without recognized status 21 22.

On Lunar New Year’s Eve, Bai Huan visits Lou Quan because it is also their anniversary. After an encounter that leaves him injured and exhausted, he asks to remain in Lou Quan’s bedroom rather than move to the downstairs guest room. Lou Quan rejects him and blames his appearance in their lives for the destruction of his family. Bai Huan leaves in tears, acknowledging that Lou Quan’s hatred outweighs his love 64.

After fifty-two people die in the reagent experiment, Bai Huan notices Lou Quan’s distress and offers to cook for him, despite not having been told about the experiment. Lou Quan attacks him and asks why he is still alive when good people have died. Bai Huan answers, “Kill me.” Lou Quan nearly strangles him, stopping only because of his promise to Lou Hua, then orders him out 126.

Lou Quan’s Detention and Return

When Lou Quan is taken to Central Base, Bai Huan watches the departing car in tears. Lou Yu reassures him that the Lou Family will not kill Lou Quan and that he will return alive, though Bai Huan remains worried that he may be hurt 166.

After Lou Quan returns, Bai Huan appears outside his hospital room carrying a small soup container. Lou Yu tells him that Lou Quan is awake and has no other scheduled visitors, giving him an opportunity to speak privately 167.

Lou Quan nevertheless continues to withhold recognition of their relationship. His indifference is so pronounced that his trusted aides do not consider Bai Huan his official partner and casually tease him about finding someone 194.

Tao Qiu’s Family and the Classroom

Bai Huan meets Tao Qiu and the three children outside the elementary school. He is astonished to learn that they are Lou Yu’s partner and biological children, but responds warmly to their introductions. Lou Yu’s evasive answers also reveal that Bai Huan has not been entrusted with Tao Qiu’s secrets 190.

When the children qualify for the upper elementary grades, Tao Qiu asks Bai Huan to accept them as transfer students. He agrees, and all three join his homeroom class. The children are delighted because their previous meetings have left them with a good impression of him 226 227.

During the crisis involving Third Cub and the major families, Bai Huan knows what has happened but cannot disclose it to his students. He explains the siblings’ absence as a family matter requiring several days off 235.

Return to Lou Hua’s Grave

After learning that Lou Quan has returned to Central Base, Bai Huan makes his own way there without being informed of the trip. He goes directly to Lou Hua’s cemetery and leaves a bouquet of baby’s breath 240.

Lou Quan unexpectedly arrives and orders him away. Bai Huan leaves in panic and shame; Lou Quan then sweeps aside his flowers and replaces them with his own. No reconciliation occurs in this encounter 240.

Relationships

• Lou Quan — Former boyfriend and continuing emotional attachment. Their relationship is destroyed by Bai Huan’s coerced betrayal and Lou Hua’s death; their later intimacy coexists with rejection and violence 22 64 126 240.
• Lou Hua — Benefactor and supporter of his relationship with her son. Her dying promise protects Bai Huan from Lou Quan’s revenge 126 240.
• Lou Yu — Longstanding acquaintance who knows much of the couple’s history. He remains courteous to Bai Huan and offers practical reassurance during Lou Quan’s detention 22 166 167.
• Tao Qiu — Parent of three of his students. Tao Qiu personally asks Bai Huan to take the children into his class 190 226.
• Tao Mo, Tao Xue, and Tao Yuan — Students who affectionately call him “Uncle Bai.” They like him before enrolling and are pleased to become his pupils 190 226.
• Parents — Hostages used to force his cooperation with Lou Quan’s half-siblings. Both die after their release because they were already gravely ill 240.