Chen Lu

Biodata

Background / History

Childhood and Seven-Year Pursuit

Chen Lu grew up alongside Mo Yuqing, whose father was close friends with his own. They played together in a neighborhood park and talked about marrying when they grew up. By university, they had known each other for more than a decade, and he had pursued her romantically for seven years 1 3 7 18.

His devotion shaped both his daily life and his education. He followed Mo Yuqing into the same university and law major, handled errands and performance arrangements for her, and helped improve her relationships with her roommates. Despite his attention, she repeatedly neglected or rejected him; on one occasion, he waited three hours for a dinner she had forgotten 2 5 7 10.

Ending His Pursuit

After another public rejection, Chen Lu announced that he would no longer love Mo Yuqing and left with Jiang Chao. The decision brought relief as well as grief: he still instinctively wanted to message her and admitted that seven years of attachment could not disappear immediately 1 5.

When Mo Yuqing confronted him for eating with another girl, he reminded her that she had rejected him and challenged her expectation that his attention would remain hers. He later deleted an old video of her performing and told her by message that they should let each other go 7 13 32.

Her public apology at the university anniversary celebration did not change his decision. During their final conversation, Chen Lu explained that years of hurt—not merely the latest rejection—had worn away his feelings. He agreed to one last photograph with her, then left without rekindling their relationship 37 39.

Growing Close to Liang Zhirou

Chen Lu first encountered Liang Zhirou while she was distributing flyers. When a drunken student blamed and shouted at her after spilling hot soup on her arm, Chen Lu intervened and persuaded him to back down. Finding her crying in a park later that night, he bought ointment and treated her burn 2 3.

Their connection deepened when Liang Zhirou waited outside the library to thank him, remaining in the cold and rain despite his hour-long delay. As they spent time together around the drama club, he learned that her father had died and that she was working to fund her mother's surgery. He encouraged her to value herself and promised to remain behind her when she grew tired 5 12 16.

Chen Lu arranged for her to tutor Chen Mo, negotiating a rate of two hundred yuan an hour after Liang Zhirou rejected his higher offer. He introduced her to his family, met her mother, Xiao Xunfang, and gradually supported her through meals, clothing, and reassurance 25 27 29 44 45.

Although their closeness becomes increasingly romantic, Chen Lu initially insists that they are friends and says they are taking things slowly. By Chapter 38, he has still never been in a relationship 8 18 19 38.

Considering a Game Business

Jiang Chao asks Chen Lu to join him in starting a game business, trusting his judgment and abilities. Chen Lu is interested but wary of Jiang Chao's idealism, warning that enthusiasm alone could leave them broke. While still undecided, he researches the gaming industry and studies business and C++ 31 33 34 41.

He also begins reconsidering his own direction. After seeing Liang Zhirou work constantly while he lives on his parents' money, he questions his aimlessness. Later, he resolves that money he uses to help her should be earned by his own hands rather than borrowed from his parents 13 47.

Appearance

• Face: Handsome, with delicate features and a gentle smile; both classmates and Liang Zhirou notice his looks 5 8.
• Build: Regular exercise has kept him fit, with defined abdominal muscles that only his roommates have seen 5.
• Height: Considerably taller than Xiao Xunfang; he half-kneels beside her to keep himself below her eye level while they talk 47.

Personality

Chen Lu is considerate in practical, often unobtrusive ways. He protects Liang Zhirou from a stranger before knowing her, notices when she is distressed, and adjusts his behavior to avoid embarrassing her. His care extends to small details, such as warning his family not to overwhelm her with questions and lowering himself beside her mother while speaking 3 12 27 47.

His gentleness coexists with a mischievous streak. He trades irreverent jokes with his roommates, bickers with Lin Miaomiao, and frequently flusters Liang Zhirou through teasing. Her direct affection can nevertheless leave him speechless, despite how confidently he usually initiates their exchanges 10 12 14 19 29.

His pursuit of Mo Yuqing exposes the limits of his otherwise sound judgment. Though capable and emotionally perceptive, he spends years accepting an unequal relationship. After withdrawing, he becomes firm about boundaries and distinguishes being loved from being missed for the attention he provided 2 7 39 41.

Chen Lu is less certain about his own future than others expect. He hesitates between a comfortable life and taking a business risk, and even describes himself as someone without dreams. Jiang Chao challenges that assessment by pointing to his excellent grades and wide range of skills 32 49.

Abilities & Skills

Social Judgment and Mediation

Chen Lu is skilled at reading people and managing difficult conversations 2 3 48.

• Defuses a drunken student's aggression through a mixture of pressure, composure, and an opportunity to back down without fighting 3.
• Helps Mo Yuqing's roommates get along with her, contributing to her friendship with Liu Yan 2.
• Recognizes that Qin Wenxi's conversational charm may be mistaken for genuine romantic interest 48.
• Offers Li Sinian advice but acknowledges that persuasion cannot necessarily overcome romantic obsession 49.

Organization and Technical Support

His efficiency makes him a frequent source of help for his counselor, roommates, and university clubs 5 10 11.

• Sorts class rosters for his counselor, who is comparatively accommodating toward his requests because of his reliability 5.
• Helps obtain props, costumes, and sound equipment for anniversary performances 10 12.
• Connects speakers to a computer, tests the sound system, and advises club members on politely following up on requests 10 11.

Academic Ability and Independent Learning

Chen Lu earns the highest grades in his class's major courses despite appearing less studious than his roommates 5 49.

• Studies subjects outside his degree out of personal curiosity 15.
• Supplies precise historical details that help improve the drama club's script 15 33.
• Begins learning business fundamentals and C++ while evaluating Jiang Chao's proposal; the provided chapters do not establish professional programming experience 41 49.

Guitar

Chen Lu plays guitar and knows numerous songs. In high school, he could usually learn a song Mo Yuqing sent him by the following day 16 17.

• Performs for Liang Zhirou to distract her after she discusses her family's hardships 16.
• Initially pretends he cannot play, prompting Lin Miaomiao to dismiss his performance before he plays properly 16.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• DSLR camera: Mo Yuqing gave him a camera worth more than thirty thousand yuan. He cites it when challenging Li Sinian's comparison between their romantic pursuits 49.
• Laptop: Used to watch and delete an old performance video of Mo Yuqing and later to research gaming-industry news 13 34.
• Borrowed vehicles: Drives his father's car when taking Liang Zhirou home and borrows Jiang Chao's car after the anniversary celebration 28 37.
• Borrowed guitar: Used for his performance for Liang Zhirou; it is not established as his own instrument 16.

Relationships

• Liang Zhirou — Close friend and developing romantic interest. He supports her confidence and helps her find better-paid tutoring work; she reciprocates through meals, concern for his health, and emotional encouragement 16 25 32 33.
• Mo Yuqing — Childhood friend and the object of his seven-year unrequited pursuit. He ultimately refuses reconciliation, explaining that accumulated hurt has exhausted his love 1 18 39.
• Jiang Chao — Best friend, roommate, and prospective business partner. Jiang Chao supports him after his rejection and places strong confidence in his abilities 1 31 49.
• Li Sinian — Roommate who relies on him for practical help. Chen Lu assists with celebration preparations and investigates an unexpectedly expensive dinner before warning him about Qin Wenxi 10 47 48 49.
• Zheng Haoyu — Roommate who joins the others in comforting him after his rejection and questions why Mo Yuqing does not appreciate him 2 3.
• Lin Miaomiao — Liang Zhirou's best friend and the drama club's vice president. She introduces their first planned meeting and maintains a teasing, argumentative friendship with Chen Lu 5 13 43.
• Chen Guanglin and Wang Xiaoxia — His parents. His father teaches at Yuhang University; his mother warmly welcomes Liang Zhirou and warns Chen Lu not to bully her 22 28 35.
• Chen Mo — Younger sister, a second-year high school student. Their relationship features frequent teasing, but he arranges her tutoring and helps make Liang Zhirou's first lesson successful 23 26 28.
• Xiao Xunfang — Liang Zhirou's mother. He brings her health supplements and wins her invitation to visit regularly through his considerate manner 45 47.
• Liu Yan — Mo Yuqing's close friend and Jiang Chao's girlfriend. She recognizes Chen Lu's good qualities and warns Mo Yuqing that she will regret losing him 2 20.
• Qin Wenxi — Declines her request to add him on WeChat, explaining that another girl might be unhappy and clarifying that he does not necessarily mean Mo Yuqing 48.

Notable Quotes

“Mo Yuqing, I like you, but I'm not that pathetic.” 1

“We have family who love us, and we're no less than anyone else. You're your mother's precious darling, and you should learn to love yourself.” 16

“Liang Zhirou! Raise your head! I said I'd always be behind you, and I will!!” 37

Trivia

• Both his given name, Lu, and his sister's name, Mo, refer to roads, prompting him to joke about their parents' fondness for driving 22.
• He dislikes century eggs enough to feel nauseated by them, yet finishes Liang Zhirou's century egg and pork congee to avoid disappointing her 14 15 21.
• His preferred cola is Pepsi. Liang Zhirou remembers both the brand and his sensitive stomach, bringing him one at room temperature 29.
• He replaces his social-media background picture of Mo Yuqing with Pikachu as he withdraws from his pursuit 21.