I need to talk about Sun Xu because this character is absolutely vile and the author writes him so well that I simultaneously want to throw my phone across the room and cheer when he gets taken down.
From the very first moment we see him, his personality is established in three beats: he bows and scrapes to the male client, he rudely interrupts the woman, and he calls her dog "just an animal" before suggesting they convert her requested pet room into a smoking room for his "business partners." This man is a walking red flag with a suit on.
But here's what's interesting — the author shows us that Sun Xu is NOT always like this. At the office, he was arrogant toward Zhong Suian and Sister Tong. But with clients, he becomes a completely different person. The text literally says "he seemed like an entirely different person." This suggests his arrogance is performative. He's not naturally rude — he's calculating. He knows who has power and he flatters them. He also knows who he can bully without consequence.
Zhong Suian sees right through him. When he threatens her, she just shrugs and says "You won't close this deal anyway." She's not intimidated. She's already read the situation correctly — the woman is the real decision-maker, the woman is uninterested, and Sun Xu's attitude guarantees nothing will happen.
The relationship between Zhong Suian and Sun Xu is really the core conflict here. It's not just personal — it's ideological. Sun Xu represents everything wrong with this workplace: sexism, sycophancy, exploitation. The text even has Sister Tong explain that the commission system is "completely exploitative" — you sell a 10,000 yuan house and get at most 30 yuan. Sun Xu is both a product of this system and its most toxic enforcer.
Zhong Suian's approach is the opposite. She treats Ms. Zhang with genuine respect, not as a tool to get a commission but as a person. And this is what wins her the deal. The author is making a point here about competence versus cruelty, about how treating people well isn't just morally right — it's strategically superior.
I also want to mention Qi Anhe's introduction. He's described as a fresh graduate and Zhong Suian's future "right-hand man." The way he shields her from the contractor swarm, asks detailed questions about insurance, and presents her with clear options shows he's competent and loyal. Their dynamic feels like the beginning of a solid partnership. Zhong Suian trusts him, tells him "I trust your abilities," and he immediately straightens up and takes the job seriously. This is how you write a good ally character — competent, dedicated, but not overshadowing the protagonist.
The family subplot is also worth noting. Zhong Yaoran sending over 400 yuan — money his ordinary family had to pool from parents and three brothers — just because Zhong Suian casually mentioned houses. That's not just support, that's devotion. It adds emotional weight to her financial situation. She's not just fighting for herself; she has people who believe in her.