Qiao Ling has a medium build, fair skin, and dark brown eyes. She wears her black hair at shoulder length with straight bangs that fall just above her eyes.

In Season 1, her outfit consists of a black undershirt tucked in beneath a cropped white short-sleeved dress shirt, which is cut to expose her midriff. The sleeves of the outer shirt are decorated with red and black stripes. She wears a layered skirt design, featuring a red knee-length skirt partially covered on the right side by a half-circle black skirt with a white hem. Her footwear includes black platform sandals, worn without socks.

In Season 2, she adopts a different style, wearing a white long-sleeved sweatshirt with cuffed sleeves and a midsection cut that reveals red fabric underneath. The sweatshirt also features a red stripe running along each sleeve. This is paired with a black asymmetrical wrap pencil skirt, which reaches her knees with one side extending slightly longer. In this season, she is typically seen wearing white sneakers with socks.

When her body is possessed by Li Tianchen, her eyes turn red, signifying her lack of control.

Qiao Ling is portrayed as lively, outspoken, and pragmatic, rarely hesitating to voice her thoughts or emotions. She has a fiery temper that often surfaces in her interactions with Cheng Xiaoshi, though her sharpness is more protective than malicious.

Despite her bluntness, she is neither tactless nor unkind. Qiao Ling frequently demonstrates warmth and empathy, displaying a natural ability to comfort those around her. Characters such as Cheng Xiaoshi and Li Tianxi often find reassurance in her presence. Her deep loyalty to friends is evident in her readiness to support Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi, whether by standing by them in dangerous situations or taking on a caretaker role when needed.

However, she does exhibit a tendency to avoid situations that cause her distress. This is shown when she hesitates to speak up after spotting the missing child Dou Dou, and later when she withholds her knowledge of Lu Guang’s memories seen through Li Tianxi. Interestingly, this reluctance to confront emotional challenges contrasts with her decisiveness when faced with immediate physical threats, where she demonstrates little hesitation.

Qiao Ling ultimately accepts responsibility for her actions and is capable of admitting her mistakes, such as when she remorsefully confesses to Dou Dou’s father that she had failed to disclose crucial information about his son’s kidnapping. Her adaptability is also notable; upon learning of Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang’s supernatural powers, she quickly accepts the reality of their abilities and adjusts to their world without resistance.

Possession Through Photos
Near the time of Li Tianxi’s death, Qiao Ling inadvertently inherited her ability to possess others through photographs. Qiao Ling herself remains unaware of this transfer and has not yet consciously used the power. She does, however, begin to question the sudden influx of Li Tianxi’s memories into her own mind, as well as her unexplained awareness of Lu Guang’s recollections surrounding Cheng Xiaoshi’s death.

Cheng Xiaoshi
Qiao Ling and Cheng Xiaoshi have known each other since childhood, with Qiao Ling being his first and for a long time, only friend. Despite hints that she may have had other companions, she never abandoned Cheng Xiaoshi and consistently stood by him through his struggles. Aware of his loneliness and emotional burdens, she often worried about his well-being until her concerns were eased by the arrival of Lu Guang, who became another important figure in Cheng Xiaoshi’s life.

Qiao Ling views Cheng Xiaoshi as a younger brother, showing both affection and exasperation toward him. She frequently scolds or playfully strikes him when frustrated with his immaturity, though these moments are comedic in tone and never leave him feeling threatened. At the same time, she deeply cares for him, often protecting and supporting him during dangerous situations. She also provides him with advice and encouragement when needed, and openly acknowledges that, despite his childishness, there are moments when Cheng Xiaoshi’s determination makes him “the coolest” person she knows.

Lu Guang
Qiao Ling meets Lu Guang by chance, noticing his connection to Cheng Xiaoshi and inviting him to help renovate the Time Photo Studio. When they are briefly left alone, she questions his intentions, to which he replies that he values Cheng Xiaoshi’s genuineness and naivety. Sharing the same sentiment, Qiao Ling warms up to him, and the two form a subtle but reliable friendship.

Although less overt than her relationship with Cheng Xiaoshi, Qiao Ling and Lu Guang share a quiet sense of mutual trust and respect. She often considers him the more dependable of the two partners and turns to him for tasks that require responsibility. In return, Lu Guang entrusts her with keeping Cheng Xiaoshi from acting recklessly, and he has demonstrated concern for her safety for example, intervening when he suspected Chen Xiao of following her with ill intent.

Xu Shanshan
Qiao Ling and Xu Shanshan are close friends who are frequently shown spending time together. The two appear to have been roommates during their college years and share a relationship built on trust and mutual support. Qiao Ling promises to revisit sensitive conversations with Shanshan, such as the case of Liu Min, when the timing is better, while Shanshan confides in her about her crush on Dong Yi. Qiao Ling often expresses playful frustration at her friends’ inability to admit their feelings for one another and ultimately encourages Shanshan to seek the services of the Time Photo Studio.

Qiao Ling’s surname, 乔 (Qiáo), is a common Chinese family name. Her given name, 苓 (Líng), is a character frequently used in the names of various herbs, plants, and mushrooms in Chinese.

In promotional material released prior to the premiere of Season 1, her official English name was revealed to be “Jo.”