We see Guo Changcheng as being a hapless scaredycat, and also framed as the protagonist here. (Had I not known he wasn't, I'd have considered rage quitting, tbh.)

Haha, yeah, same here. He's really painful to watch in the first episode! Thank god he improves.

We also see him ask for the local cops to call him "xiao-Zhao" instead of "Chief Zhao", likely an indication of him only recently stepping into the post, and still thinking of Chief Zhao as being his father.

That was my first thought as well, but on second thought, I think he's downplaying himself to make himself appear harmless? The only other time he calls himself "Xiao-Zhao" is when he's on the phone to the university, asking to be put through to Shen Wei (for the book scam), and I don't think that fits with the Papa Zhao theory.

Another thing to note is that Zhao Yunlan is not at all enthused to see the Black-Cloaked Envoy appear

Yeah, he's so pissy! And only gets marginally more diplomatic when Xiao-Guo puts his foot in it. He really doesn't like having to deal with the Envoy, and doesn't trust his agenda at all. (And why should he?)

Then, when she asks him if it's worth doing everything in your power to protect someone, he says that yes it is, always.

I love how central that theme is on the show, right from the start. ♥