Wiki & Encyclopedia: Rebirth 1976: Marrying A Capitalist Lady At The Beginning

The protagonist, formerly timid and oppressed, undergoes a radical change in attitude, boldly defying his family's exploitation to demand separation.

Wu Ming's father, a hardworking man who is overly obedient to his own father and subservient to familial expectation, deeply opposed to splitting the household.

Wu Ming's mother, a long-suffering woman with a weak personality who finally finds the strength to support her son's rebellion after years of unfair treatment.

Wu Ming's uncle, a manipulator who profits from the collective household structure and fears the loss of Wu Ming and his parents' income.

Wu Dayou's wife, a cunning manipulative woman who tries to maintain the household unity to protect her family's interests.

The family matriarch, aggressive and vocal, deeply invested in maintaining the existing household hierarchy and exploiting other members.

The head of the household, a man concerned only with preserving the family's shared wealth and status.

Miao Hongmei and Wu Dayou's son, favored by the elder generation and expected to work as a factory employee.

A former 'capitalist heiress' currently suffering from extreme poverty and malnutrition while enduring 're-education' in the village. She was sold into marriage with Wu Ming for two bags of millet to support her ailing grandmother. Despite her hardships, she possesses great natural beauty.

A young woman from a well-off family with a clean, naive demeanor. Her uncle is the director of the local machinery plant. She is skeptical of Wu Ming's technical claims.

The grandmother of Shen Lianyun. She is elderly, frail, suffering from poor health, and currently forced to live in a cowshed due to the family's political background.

Zhang Lili's mother, residing in Songlin Town. She presents a warm and hospitable exterior to Wu Ming, clearly hoping to use his technical skills for repairs.

A local resident who serves as one of Wu Ming’s first clients, having paid him to repair her floor fan.

The middle-aged manager of the Songlin Town Machinery Plant and older brother of Guo Juan. He is currently under significant stress due to technical failures of a machine tool affecting production.

The middle-aged group leader of the repair workshop. He is frustrated by the inability to fix the machine tool and is highly skeptical of Wu Ming's claims, even betting his resignation on Wu Ming's failure.

Wu Ming's childhood friend and former romantic interest. She is opportunistic and attempts to sabotage Wu Ming's marriage to Shen Lianyun after learning of his improved social status as a factory employee.

The current village head of Qianjia Village. He is a pragmatic and impressionable figure who adjusts his demeanor based on the social and economic status of others.

The wife of the village head, Chang Xin. She is notoriously snobbish and status-obsessed, frequently judging others based on their political and financial standing.

The guard at the machinery plant entrance. He is usually grumpy but maintains a polite facade when he is unsure of someone's social connections.

Shen Lianyun's sickly grandmother who is suffering from malnutrition and poor health.

The leader of the Qianjia Village production team and Wei Jiao's father.

Wei Dehai's wife and Wei Jiao's mother.

A young villager often tasked with basic errands for the village head.

A disruptive villager noted for causing conflict and trouble in the village.

The stern and authoritative workshop director of the Machinery Plant. He is obsessed with strict adherence to factory regulations and creates conflict by questioning the actions of subordinates.

A robust and assertive worker in the number two workshop, often referred to as 'Aunt Niu'. She is protective of her daughter and openly hostile toward Wu Qiang's manipulative schemes.

Niu Limin's daughter. She has a tall, sturdy build and masculine features, including facial hair. She allows Wu Qiang to court her, though she maintains a pragmatic and detached view of his intentions.

A worker at the Machinery Plant who helps Wu Ming attempt to sneak past Niu Limin by pretending to escort him to the medical clinic.

Niu Limin's daughter (referred to as Zheng Shuqin in previous notes, but text identifies her as Zheng Shumei here; strictly using text evidence, but updating based on provided context). She is interested in Wu Ming. Note: The provided text refers to her as Zheng Shumei, contradicting the previous memory of Zheng Shuqin. I will treat her as the same entity and use the name from the current text.

A stylish young woman educated in a major city, characterized by her modern outlook and cosmopolitan behavior. She owns a 12-inch television and seeks Wu Ming's technical help to repair it.

A sixty-year-old worker at the machinery plant who is nearing retirement. He is perceptive enough to see through Wu Qiang's disingenuous attempt to become his foster son to acquire his job.

The father of Pan Mengxuan. He is a pragmatic man who values building social capital and influence, often looking for ways to leverage favors with his associates.

The mother of Pan Mengxuan. She is frugal and initially skeptical of repair claims, but she is supportive of her family's social ambitions.

A manager at the county level and an associate of Pan Long, currently seeking someone capable of repairing an imported television.

The secretary to Factory Manager Guo Peng. She is efficient, professional, wears dresses, and serves as an intermediary for official factory communications.

The manager of the Qingshui County State-Run Store. He is approximately fifty years old, exhibits a confident and personable demeanor, and holds a senior position compared to the local branch managers.

The formal name of the woman referred to as 'Grandma'. An elderly, frail woman enduring labor reform who serves as a source of emotional connection for Shen Lianyun.

The leader of the repair crew at the Machinery Plant, respected for his technical skills.

A manager at the County State-Run Store who is interested in recruiting Wu Ming.

The elderly gatekeeper at the entrance of the Machinery Plant, responsible for monitoring site access.

A worker participating in the skills tournament, criticized for working too slowly.

A worker participating in the skills tournament, criticized for falling behind schedule.

A 58-year-old Level 4 maintenance expert acting as a competition judge. He is strict and highly critical of the younger generation, valuing raw competence over excuses.

A young woman with a sharp, angular appearance, including high cheekbones, a pointed chin, and deep-set eyes. She has a trendy short haircut and a cool, unapproachable demeanor. She is a former classmate of Zhang Lili and Pan Mengxuan and is notable for her bold, non-conformist habit of smoking in public.

The father of Lin Sima and the most notorious gang leader in Songlin Town, with a history of robbery and involvement in illegal gambling operations.

The 40-something night shift security guard at the machinery plant entrance, characterized by his irritability and his expectation of receiving bribes in the form of cigarettes.

The arrogant nephew of Workshop Director Wang Hongwei who exploits his family connection to bully colleagues and occupy unauthorized space in the employee dormitory.

The chief of the plant's security section, described as reaching fifty years of age with greying hair and a dignified, intense, and imposing presence.

A low-ranking thug subordinate to Lin the Tiger, he leads a group of men to beat up others and is subservient to Lin Sima.

An employee at the Machinery Plant's Security Section who acted as the middleman to pay thugs to assault Wu Ming.