A scholar and neighbor of the Qiao family. He is preparing for the prefectural exam and lives with his widowed mother Madam Xu. Initially prejudiced against common folk and the Qiao family, he gradually learns to respect them after Madam Xu's advice. He buys meat from Qiao Mianmian, compliments her cooking, and offers to rewrite his father's shop sign. He is diligent in his studies, reading by lamplight every night.
