Gu Yousi

Biodata

Background

In her previous life, Gu Yousi grew up in an orphanage, studied abroad, earned a computer science degree, and secured a well-paid job. Shortly before arriving in 1983 Beijing as an eight-month-old baby, she read a novel containing a supporting character with her full name. She recognizes her new family and some of their dangers from that story 1 11.

Her first urgent concern is her aunt Gu Yinxing’s planned marriage to Chen Shiwen. Yousi cannot speak, but her thoughts warn the family that Chen has a wife and child in Yunnan and intends to exploit Yinxing. The Gu family investigates, exposes his deception, and ends the match 1 3 4.

Appearance

As a baby, Yousi has rosy cheeks and plump, dimpled hands. By primary school, she is described as fair-skinned and notably pretty 1 8 122.

• Her first two baby teeth come in prominently at the front 46.
• She wears her hair in braids as a schoolgirl 122.

Personality

Yousi is observant and protective of her family, but openly prefers an easy life to hard work. She often uses teasing or misdirection when a direct warning would be difficult. Her caution dates back to the orphanage, where she avoided fights because adults’ opinions could affect a child’s opportunities 11 108 126.

She can also be generous toward people she distrusts. Despite her history with Song Chaohua’s family, Yousi lets Chaohua earn a coveted doll and later helps her search for Grandma Lin’s relatives 115 140 141.

Abilities & Skills

Audible Inner Thoughts

Yousi’s family can hear some of her thoughts, allowing them to act on warnings she cannot say aloud as an infant 1 8.

• Her thoughts help expose Chen Shiwen and alert the family to danger facing Gu Jinshui 1 8.
• The ability does not let her explain everything at will: she sometimes cannot get a warning out, and later events do not always match the novel she remembers 3 34 119.

Foreknowledge and Planning

Yousi remembers events from the novel and recognizes possible threats, then increasingly makes plans of her own 1 23 108.

• She misleads Song Jianshe about Gu Jinshui’s stone-gambling plans rather than give him an advantage 108 111.
• She coordinates with her father to make an antique plate appear to be merely a child’s whim 138.

Relationships

• Gu Jinshui — her father; they tease each other, but she repeatedly tries to protect his interests 13 111 138.
• Liang Ying — her mother; Yousi warns her about threats and supports her clothing business 7 89 121.
• He Chunlian — her grandmother, whom Yousi especially admires for continuing to learn new skills for her acting work 119.
• Gu Yinxing — her aunt; preventing Yinxing’s marriage to Chen Shiwen is Yousi’s first major intervention 1 86.
• Lan Lin — a close childhood companion who regularly looks after her. They marry years later 86 107 147.
• Song Chaohua — initially hostile toward Yousi, then an occasional ally. Yousi gives her a chance to earn a doll, and Chaohua later warns her about a child trafficker 63 115 119 126.

Story Role

• Protecting the Gu family: Yousi’s thoughts help the family question Chen Shiwen, Liang Renyi’s claims, and other dangers she remembers from the novel 1 7 29.
• Saving Xiaoman: After taking Chaohua’s warning seriously, Yousi encounters Xiaoman at the Forbidden City. She delays a suspicious man, bites his finger when he tries to take the girl, and calls for help. Xiaoman’s parents later thank her and Lan Lin 119 120.
• Helping others: Yousi shares toys through a work-for-rewards arrangement, assists Chaohua with Grandma Lin’s family search, and helps her mother obtain a fair chance in the textile-factory bidding 115 140 141 131.