Elder Chu

Biodata

Background / History

Marriage and Family Life

Elder Chu’s late wife studied literature and spent her career as a university professor. He admired her financial judgment: in the 1990s, she invested the salary he handed over to her in stocks, multiplying it several times while he was still hesitating. Although he was the boss at work, he credited her with running their household and managing its finances 22.

Their family life included affectionate rivalry over her attention. He once rushed home from the office to taste the sausage bread she had made before his grandson could eat it. On another occasion, he scolded five-year-old Chu Zeshen for covering her paintings with handprints; she instead incorporated the prints into the artwork, which the family later commemorated through embroidery 132 172.

Bereavement and Corporate Succession

Chu Zeshen’s parents died in an accident when he was seven. The loss devastated Elder Chu and his wife, whose hair was described as turning white overnight. Elder Chu’s health subsequently deteriorated, while he and his increasingly withdrawn grandson supported one another 72.

When Chu Zeshen was fourteen, Chu Peiwen tried to persuade the board to place him in charge of Chu Corporation instead. Elder Chu resisted, publicly claiming to have hired an overseas CFO while allowing Chu Zeshen to begin taking over management behind the scenes. Chu Zeshen formally assumed control on his eighteenth birthday, and Elder Chu personally warned Chu Peiwen against obstructing the transition 72.

Elder Chu also supported his late brother’s family. His brother had asked him on his deathbed to look after his only son, Chu Peiwen—a promise that contributed to Elder Chu’s long tolerance of his nephew’s conduct 113 190.

Life After Retirement

After stepping back from business, Elder Chu rarely appeared publicly except for occasions such as an old friend’s birthday banquet. He maintained an active group chat with former business rivals, where their competition shifted from commercial success to boasting about their descendants 63 82 283.

He continued to remember his wife through the Old Residence and family observances. At Mid-Autumn Festival, he offered incense and wine before the memorial tablets and spoke to her; Chu Zeshen explained that the holiday was a time his grandfather spent remembering her 76 78.

Appearance

• White hair: His and his wife’s hair reportedly turned white overnight after the deaths of their son and daughter-in-law 72.
• Usually dresses casually: A formal suit during the family portrait session reveals the bearing of a once-commanding businessman 128.
• Kindly smile, sharp gaze: His authority is restrained rather than openly imposing, but remains strong enough to discourage others from overstepping 128.
• Habitual cane: Usually an accessory rather than a mobility aid. He explains that he began using one after seeing other people with canes and wanting to imitate them 83 234.
• Reading glasses: Uses them to inspect a prized tea cake closely 187.

Personality

Elder Chu is affectionate, playful, and openly partial to the people he considers family. He beams when Gu Bai calls him Grandpa, enjoys having someone discuss television dramas with him, and spoils Mocha with treats and attention. His exchanges with Chu Zeshen are much sharper, though their habitual bickering rests on an understanding developed over many years 21 114 118 182.

He takes marital loyalty seriously. The Chu Family forbids beginning another relationship before ending an existing marriage, and he severely punishes Chu Peiwen for violating that rule. His loyalty to his late brother initially makes him reluctant to abandon his nephew, but he eventually withdraws his protection after repeated misconduct 73 74 190 191.

Despite his meddling in the couple’s sleeping arrangements, Elder Chu is perceptive about their relationship. He recognizes that their early affection is an act and does not condemn them for it, reasoning that spending time together can allow genuine feelings to develop. He also repeatedly tells other elders to leave the younger generation’s decisions to them 32 76 182 208.

Skills & Interests

Business Judgment and Authority

• Protected Chu Zeshen’s succession against board opposition and Chu Peiwen’s ambitions 72.
• Retains enough authority after retirement to discipline relatives and revoke Chu Peiwen’s management position 71 191.
• Declines attempts to draw him back into managing affairs that now belong to his grandson 179.

Chinese Chess

• An enthusiastic but poor player, notorious within the family for having more appetite for the game than skill 77.
• His wife sometimes let him win and taught young Chu Zeshen to do the same 77.
• Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen secretly coordinate to give him a victory during a Mid-Autumn visit; he remains unaware and encourages Gu Bai to keep improving 78.

Other Pastimes

• Tea collecting: Keeps prized tea cakes in a glass cabinet and carefully inspects new acquisitions 165 187.
• Television dramas: Enjoys watching and discussing war dramas with Gu Bai 114.
• Golf: Played frequently for a period after retiring and kept equipment at the course; later visits became occasional 91.
• Dog training: Uses instructional videos and freeze-dried treats to teach Mocha commands such as sitting and spinning, unaware that the dog is playing along 173 174.
• Shelling crabs: Won his wife’s favor through this skill when courting her 81.

Possessions & Gifts

• Walking canes — Owns several, including one described as worth six figures. Besides carrying them as accessories, he uses them to threaten or chase Chu Zeshen; when Mocha hides one, he lets the dog keep playing with it 62 63 76.
• Prized tea cakes — His collection includes one marked 01 and a treasured cake saved as Chu Zeshen’s betrothal gift. Chu Zeshen’s unauthorized use of the tea becomes a recurring source of family teasing 112 165 166 187.
• Family artwork and embroidery — Preserves keepsakes left by his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. He brings them out for the family portrait so that deceased family members can be represented in the occasion 128 132.
• Heirloom thumb rings — Gives these to Chu Zeshen, then complains that he never wears them 178.
• Custom rosewood daybed — Sends it to Gu Bai for his birthday when a cold prevents him from visiting 273.

Relationships

• Chu Zeshen — Grandson and corporate successor. Elder Chu supported him through childhood bereavement and protected his inheritance, but now frequently mocks his reserve and threatens him with his cane. He ultimately entrusts him to Gu Bai 72 174 208 285.
• Gu Bai — Grandson-in-law, whom he treats as another grandson. His care gives Gu Bai a sense of familial affection that Gu Bai had not experienced in either of his lives 83 192.
• His late wife — Remains the central object of his affection and remembrance. He treasures her work, praises her abilities, and speaks to her during family memorial observances 22 78 128.
• Mocha — Gu Bai’s Border Collie and a cherished member of the household. Elder Chu prepares a bed beneath the wooden couch, arranges grooming at the Old Residence, and reserves the seat beside him for the dog at New Year’s Eve dinner 77 164 284.
• Chu Peiwen — Nephew whom he supported out of loyalty to his late brother. Their relationship breaks down over Peiwen’s affair, corporate ambitions, and mistreatment of Chu Zeshen and Gu Bai 72 188 190 191.
• Xu Yun Tong — Chu Peiwen’s wife and a relative of Elder Chu’s late wife. He acknowledges her suffering, supports her divorce, and encourages her to live as she pleases rather than blame herself 189 194.
• Xie Guanchang / Elder Xie — Longtime family friend and sparring partner. They trade insults and compete over their grandsons’ achievements, including marriage and family celebrations 81 83.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notable Quotes

“Work matters should be settled at work. What do they think they’re doing bringing them home?” 22

“I took that leave for the person I love. Family matters are more important than anything else.” 172

“I don’t accept returns, but I do offer repairs. If he bullies you, come to me. I’ll take my cane to him.” 208