Jiang Chao

Biodata

Background / History

Jiang Chao is a local student who spends much of his time in the dormitory despite being able to stay at home. His dormmates call him “Boss” because of his somewhat pugilistic manner and his habit of bringing them breakfast after his morning run. His “father-son” relationship with Chen Lu is part of their joking dormitory banter, not a family connection 1 4.

His father is a bureau chief who pressured him into changing his university application choices. Jiang Chao remains bitter about having his future arranged for him: his own ambition is to start a business and make games. The disagreement resurfaces when he drinks heavily and tells Chen Lu what he originally wanted to do 30.

Appearance & Voice

• Bearing: Described as having a somewhat pugilistic air 1.
• Voice: Distinctive, somewhat magnetic, and raspy 8.

Personality

Jiang Chao is outspoken, teasing, and protective of his friends. He comforts Chen Lu after rejection, tries to distract him from Mo Yuqing, and repeatedly urges him to stop sacrificing his youth to an unreturned attachment. His concern can become intrusive enough for Chen Lu to compare him to an old nanny 1 2 8.

His generosity does not always translate into competence. Their counselor considers him unreliable, and he recalls failing his courses badly after following Chen Lu’s example of sleeping in class. Nevertheless, his loyalty is concrete: when a scammer used Chen Lu’s stolen account to request money, Jiang Chao obtained a bank card containing 50,000 yuan from his father and rushed to deliver it in person 5 33.

He has a history of pursuing multiple women, jokingly defending himself as someone who gives them all “equal love.” Later, he credits Chen Lu’s advice with helping him leave that behavior behind and avoid missing his chance with Liu Yan. His entrepreneurial enthusiasm is similarly tempered by insecurity: he wants independence but fears losing his family’s support and possessions 2 32 49.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Helping Chen Lu Move On

• After Mo Yuqing’s rejection: Jiang Chao puts an arm around Chen Lu, argues that Mo Yuqing does not deserve him, and takes him outside the school to clear his head. He questions why Chen Lu should continue after seven years without reciprocation 1 2.
• Cutting off Mo Yuqing: When she messages him asking where Chen Lu is, he replies that it is too late and deletes her contact 3.
• Opening another possibility: He wakes Chen Lu when Lin Miaomiao arrives on Liang Zhirou’s behalf. His immediate priority is finding something that might distract his friend from heartbreak 5.
• The shared umbrella: Asked to bring umbrellas for Chen Lu and Liang Zhirou, he arrives with only one, claims the other suddenly broke, and gives Chen Lu a meaningful look before leaving 6.
• Accepting Liang Zhirou: Although he initially rates her appearance dismissively, he later recognizes that she is as pretty as Mo Yuqing and considers her a good match for Chen Lu 2 37.

Pursuing a Game Business

Jiang Chao names filmmaker Guo Fan as his idol, comparing his own wish to make a game with Guo Fan’s pursuit of a science-fiction filmmaking dream. Chen Lu repeatedly hesitates to join, concerned about both the venture’s risks and the fairness of receiving equity without making a comparable contribution 31 33.

Mo Yuqing’s Attempted Reconciliation

• Explaining Chen Lu’s new relationship: While Liu Yan drives him to a friend’s place, Jiang Chao recounts how Chen Lu met Liang Zhirou. With Mo Yuqing listening from the back seat, he describes the meeting as fortunate for both of them and says it is too late for Mo Yuqing 32.
• After the anniversary performance: He lends Chen Lu his car to take Liang Zhirou home following Mo Yuqing’s public apology. He is surprised that Chen Lu is not moved by the apology 37.
• The dormitory meeting: An urgent message apparently from Jiang Chao draws Chen Lu downstairs, where Mo Yuqing is waiting instead. Mo Yuqing says Liu Yan helped arrange the encounter after Jiang Chao became drunk; Jiang Chao is baffled when Chen Lu confronts him afterward 38 40.
• Recognizing the break: After hearing what happened, he congratulates Chen Lu on breaking free. Their subsequent discussion makes him reconsider whether Mo Yuqing’s apology reflects love or simply discomfort at losing Chen Lu’s care 40 41.

Equipment / Items

• Mercedes E300: His personal car, which he readily lends to Chen Lu. He proposes selling it to fund the game venture, but later chapters still show it available for borrowing 31 34 37.

Relationships

• Chen Lu — Best friend, roommate, and prospective business partner. Jiang Chao strongly trusts his judgment and urges him to recognize the strengths he overlooked while pursuing Mo Yuqing 1 33.
• Liu Yan — Girlfriend and Mo Yuqing’s roommate. They became a couple while Jiang Chao was helping Chen Lu pursue Mo Yuqing. She encourages his entrepreneurial ambitions while firmly rejecting any return to his former womanizing 5 32.
• Father — A bureau chief whose preferred plans conflict with Jiang Chao’s desire to make games. Jiang Chao fears that pursuing his own business may cost him family support 30 32.
• Li Sinian — Roommate whom he bluntly warns against an exploitative romantic pursuit. When Li Sinian refuses to listen, Jiang Chao asks Chen Lu to help intervene 49.
• Zheng Haoyu — Roommate and part of the group that accompanies Chen Lu after his rejection 2 3.

Notable Quotes

“Get a good night's sleep, and when you wake up, remember you've still got us.” 4

“You should lift your head and take a look at yourself.” 33

Trivia

• He hurriedly extinguishes his cigarette when he notices children playing nearby 3.
• Despite his enthusiasm for games, one scene shows him playing Han Xin with a score of 0–8–2 while teammates insult him in chat 13.