Zhou Ru

Biodata

Background / History

Zhou Ru’s former husband, Ji Jinzhong, disappeared when their daughter Ji Chuxing was four and was later declared dead by the police. Unable to endure life in the countryside, Zhou Ru left her daughter behind. Ji Chuxing subsequently depended on Grandpa Ji, who raised her without Zhou Ru’s support 1.

Zhou Ru later became Wen Huaming’s second wife. Her acceptance into the Wen household was difficult: his second and third sons resisted her arrival, forcing her to live elsewhere for two years. Her son Wen Liyang initially entered the family as an illegitimate child before gaining legitimate standing. Even after becoming Madam Wen, she continued to court the favor of Wen Huaming’s three sons from his first marriage 14 15.

Half a year before the opening events, the dying Grandpa Ji arranged for someone to locate Zhou Ru. Once South City’s wealthy women learned that she had a daughter in the countryside, Zhou Ru brought Ji Chuxing into the Wen home to protect her reputation. She nevertheless treated the girl as a guest, warned her not to compete with Wen Xinyue, and repeatedly threatened to send her away 1.

Appearance

• Wealthy socialite presentation: At the school’s grade office, Zhou Ru is described as looking every inch a wealthy lady, with immaculate makeup 11.

Personality

Zhou Ru places social standing and appearances above her responsibilities toward Ji Chuxing. She regards her eldest daughter as a blemish on her life and maintains a courteous, virtuous manner before outsiders while treating her harshly in private. When Ji Chuxing becomes involved in a school dispute, Zhou Ru worries about gossip among wealthy women and preserving the Wen Family’s connections rather than first investigating what happened 1 2 11.

Her favoritism is especially pronounced toward Wen Liyang. She dismisses his bullying as childish play, insists that Ji Chuxing yield to him, and defends him even after his toy gun damages Bo Yanchen’s valuable teacup. By contrast, she readily accepts accusations against Ji Chuxing and treats resistance as ingratitude or disobedience 1 2 3 15.

Zhou Ru considers motherhood an enduring source of authority regardless of whether she has fulfilled its obligations. She dismisses Ji Chuxing’s declaration of separation as a tantrum and believes her daughter has no right to sever their relationship. Her insecurity about being Wen Huaming’s second wife also shapes her conduct: she seeks Old Madam Wen’s acceptance partly to improve Wen Liyang’s standing and eventual share of the family assets 14 28 34.

Relationships

• Ji Jinzhong — Former husband and Ji Chuxing’s father. His disappearance and presumed death preceded Zhou Ru’s abandonment of their daughter 1.
• Ji Chuxing — Estranged biological daughter. The original girl desperately sought her affection; the otherworldly Ji Chuxing who awakens in her body rejects Zhou Ru’s authority and cuts ties with her 1 4 14.
• Wen Huaming — Current husband. Zhou Ru cultivates a gentle image before him and does not dare openly defy his punishment of Wen Liyang 2 3.
• Wen Xinyue — Favored daughter. Zhou Ru praises her supposed experimental achievement, trusts her reports about Ji Chuxing, and reassures her after the false watch-theft accusation 9 14 15 28.
• Wen Liyang — Younger son, whom she has spoiled since childhood. Protecting his status within the Wen Family is a major motive behind her efforts to please Old Madam Wen 2 28.
• Wen Li’an, Wen Liming, and Wen Lichuan — Stepsons from Wen Huaming’s first marriage. Their acceptance matters to Zhou Ru’s position in the household; Wen Li’an nevertheless defends Ji Chuxing against the family’s treatment 14 15.
• Old Madam Wen — Mother-in-law, who recognizes Wen Huaming’s first wife as the true mistress of the family and dislikes Zhou Ru. Zhou Ru searches for medical help in hopes of improving their relationship 28 48.
• Bo Yanchen — Ji Chuxing’s protector and replacement guardian. He repeatedly challenges Zhou Ru’s conduct and ultimately threatens legal action if she continues harassing Ji Chuxing 13 15 35.
• Doctor Sun and Mrs. Sun — Medical and social connections she initially prioritizes over Ji Chuxing. Their relationship with the Wen Family breaks down after Sun Han’s expulsion 11 48.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ji Chuxing’s Awakening and Departure

• When Doctor Sun warns that the feverish Ji Chuxing may die, Zhou Ru orders her sent to the hospital and asks that the morgue prepare, unwilling to have a death bring bad luck to the Wen home 1.
• After Ji Chuxing awakens, Zhou Ru scolds her for offending Doctor Sun and attempts to slap her. Ji Chuxing catches her wrist, confronts her about never raising her, and throws her onto the bed after being ordered out 1.
• Zhou Ru defends Wen Liyang during the ensuing toy-gun confrontation. After his pellets strike Wen Huaming and shatter Bo Yanchen’s teacup, she still tries to make Ji Chuxing apologize 2 3.
• Following Bo Yanchen’s refusal to cooperate with the Wen Family, she blames Ji Chuxing and orders the front gate shut against her 3.

School Bullying Dispute

• After Wen Xinyue reports trouble at school, Zhou Ru apologizes to Mrs. Sun and promises that Ji Chuxing will personally beg Sun Han’s forgiveness. Director Yan subsequently presents video showing that Sun Han and the others bullied Ji Chuxing 9 11.
• Zhou Ru then blames Ji Chuxing for not explaining the situation. Ji Chuxing reminds her that earlier requests for help were ignored 13.
• Bo Yanchen publicly rebukes Zhou Ru for blaming her bullied daughter and replaces Ji Chuxing’s school guardian contact with his own number 13.

Severing Ties and the Missing Watch

• When Ji Chuxing returns for her belongings, Zhou Ru questions her association with Bo Yanchen and accuses her of shamelessly pursuing him 14.
• Ji Chuxing leaves a bank card containing 50,000 yuan to repay a year’s tuition and declares their relationship settled. Zhou Ru rejects this, invokes their blood relationship, and orders servants and gardeners to block her exit 14.
• When Wen Xinyue reports a missing diamond watch, Zhou Ru assumes Ji Chuxing stole it and orders her backpack searched. The broken watch is later found in Wen Liyang’s room 15.
• Bo Yanchen takes Ji Chuxing away and warns Zhou Ru not to contact or trouble her again 15.

Attempted School Withdrawal

• Upon hearing that Ji Chuxing has been detained, Zhou Ru refuses to seek the Wen Family’s help. She also discourages Wen Li’an from intervening, describing the detention as a lesson Ji Chuxing needs 28 29.
• Zhou Ru arranges a place at a rural boarding school for problem students and attempts to withdraw Ji Chuxing from South City No. 1 High School, also called Nanzhong. She hopes Ji Chuxing will remain away from South City and marry after graduation 34.
• At the principal’s office, Zhao Feifei and Zhou Sixue reveal that Ji Chuxing helped the police and received a medal from Director Qin. Teacher Huang informs Zhou Ru that she is no longer the girl’s guardian 34.
• Bo Yanchen reveals that Ji Chuxing’s household registration has been transferred under Old Master Wei in the Capital. Zhou Ru had previously left her minor daughter without complete registration after bringing her to South City 35.
• The principal orders Zhou Ru to leave, and Bo Yanchen threatens to sue her over further harassment. She retreats without explaining her neglect of the registration issue 35.

Seeking a Doctor for Old Madam Wen

• After the Sun Family relationship collapses and medical scandals damage their hospital’s credibility, Zhou Ru abandons the idea of returning to Doctor Sun 48.
• Wen Xinyue shows her news of Ji Chuxing’s growing reputation at West China Hall. Zhou Ru decides to visit the clinic while seeking a doctor for Old Madam Wen 48.

Notable Quotes

“Xiaoxing is your own younger brother. You need to give way to him.”
— Zhou Ru dismissing Ji Chuxing’s complaints about Wen Liyang 1

“My blood runs in your veins. Everyone out there knows you’re my daughter, Zhou Ru’s daughter!”
— Zhou Ru rejecting Ji Chuxing’s attempt to cut ties 14