Gu Xiaoyu's stepfather was named Huang Jiuzhang, a minor supervisor at a state-owned enterprise. Before marrying Gu Xiaoyu's mother, Fan Wenli, he had been an ordinary cadre. After they married, Fan Wenli advised him to cultivate closer ties with his superiors. Later, having sided with the right people, he was promoted to a minor supervisory position.
That was also an important reason he was willing to support Gu Xiaoyu through school without making her change her surname.
Her stepbrother was named Huang Yufei. Unable to continue his schooling after junior high, he had spent several years assigned to a rural production team. After he returned, Huang Jiuzhang arranged a factory job for him. He was now a permanent worker, but he still had not married, mainly because the girl he liked required his family to provide a new home for their marriage.
Although Huang Jiuzhang was a minor supervisor, he had no knack for making money. His salary was a little higher than an ordinary worker's, but nowhere near enough to afford a new home.
So Huang Yufei could only save up slowly. Fortunately, the girl was willing to wait for him, which gave him some comfort.
Fan Wenli, who had come home first at noon, was cooking. The meal was not ready when Gu Xiaoyu arrived, so she put down her bag and went into the kitchen to help.
The Huang family also lived in a corridor-style apartment building. Although Huang Jianguo was a minor supervisor, he did not qualify for a three-bedroom apartment. The family of four had originally partitioned the two rooms with boards. Things had only become a little easier after Gu Xiaoyu got into university and moved out.
After graduating, Gu Xiaoyu took a job at the university, and Fan Wenli immediately had her apply