LayarHijau – The romantic drama Love Between Lines (Zha Xi), starring Chen Xingxu and Lu Yuxiao, continues to attract strong audience attention. As the story progresses, the drama has officially surpassed 100 million views. Beyond the sweet romance of the main couple, Dai Xu’s appearance as the second male lead has emerged as a major talking point, with his presence widely seen as capable of balancing Chen Xingxu’s on-screen appeal.
In Love Between Lines, Chen Xingxu plays Xiao Zhiyu, while Lu Yuxiao portrays Hu Xiu. The two characters first meet through a virtual reality role-playing game set against the backdrop of the Republic of China era. What begins as an interaction confined to the virtual world gradually develops into genuine emotions. After returning to real life, they reunite unexpectedly and form a relationship as superior and subordinate, which further deepens their emotional connection. The narrative moves back and forth between the virtual world and reality, depicting the growth and transformation of both main characters.
Amid this storyline, Dai Xu’s character Pei Zhen quickly stands out. Portrayed as a calm, calculating antagonist, Pei Zhen is introduced as Xiao Zhiyu’s half-brother (not related by blood) and a figure who frequently brings psychological tension into the story. His composed demeanor, sharp gaze, and refined presence immediately capture viewers’ attention.
One particular scene that sparked Pei Zhen’s surge in popularity is a brief moment inside an elevator. In the scene, Hu Xiu accidentally enters Pei Zhen’s private elevator while carrying a large box and asks for help pressing the floor button. Pei Zhen says little, simply presses the button while offering a faint smile, tilting his head and observing Hu Xiu with a knowing look. This seemingly simple interaction left a strong impression on viewers.
Clips of the elevator scene quickly went viral on social media and were widely described as an example of how subtle acting can create strong emotional tension. On Douyin, a single clip from the scene garnered more than 290,000 likes, while related topics such as the nickname “elevator god” recorded daily view counts exceeding 100 million.
Many viewers have since begun discussing the on-screen chemistry between Dai Xu and Lu Yuxiao, noting that their interactions feel particularly striking and memorable. This phenomenon has propelled Dai Xu’s name into wider public discussion among drama fans.
Now 36 years old, Dai Xu has been active in the entertainment industry for 16 years and has appeared in nearly 50 roles throughout his career. One of his most memorable performances for audiences was as Chi Yanei in the drama A Dream of Splendor, where he played a character who appeared carefree and slightly roguish, yet sincere at heart.
Interestingly, Dai Xu’s real-life image contrasts sharply with his scheming on-screen persona. He has been married to actress Yin Yuhang for 15 years without any scandal and is the father of a three-year-old son named Dai Jin. This contrast between his warm, family-oriented life off-screen and his charismatic antagonist role in the drama has become part of his appeal and sparked lively discussion among viewers.
With audience interest continuing to grow, Dai Xu’s role in Love Between Lines demonstrates how a well-crafted antagonist can command attention and add significant depth to a drama.
