Great-Grandpa Gu is the male head of one of the most well-off families in Tianjing Village and Xiaomei's grandmother's distant uncle. He left his hometown early in life to work in Shanghai, where he became an official worker after the Liberation. Though already quite old, he soon retired and returned to Tianjing Village with his daughter, who later married in the village and had two sons. Because he receives a pension, his family is the wealthiest in the village, and he often helps Xiaomei's family, having saved them from starvation during hard times. He is kind, generous, and loves gardening, particularly his prized rose bush. He is described as having a beaming smile and a warm personality, readily offering snacks and gifts to the children who visit him.
