Joseph Yen is Adeline's wealthy but ignorant father who only pays attention to her achievements in school. Her stepmother Niang is cruel, favoring her own children, and the enemy of Adeline and her siblings. Lydia, the oldest sibling, is envious and manipulative towards Adeline. Gregory, the next oldest, shows some kindness but also lies to Adeline. Aunt Baba is Adeline's only supporter, encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

1. KEY CHARACTERS

2. JOSEPH YEN
(ADELINE’S FATHER)

3. Joseph, referred to as “Father” is the father of Adeline and her siblings. Father is
wealthy and smart man, but is also ignorant towards his children, especially Adeline.
He lives by by the opinions of his new wife Niang and what she wants. He spends
majority of his time focusing on his other duties rather than his own parents and
children. The only time father notices Adeline is when she achieves medals and prizes
from school. Father's pride is what makes Adeline feel like a member of their family.
Adeline only gains recognition from her father when it comes to her achievements in her
education and although he doesn’t show Adeline the actions of what a daughter expects,
she tries her best just to impress him.
“Continue studying hard and bringing honour to the Yen family name so we can be
proud of you.”

4. NIANG
(ADELINE’S STEP MOTHER)

5. Niang is the step mother to Fathers 5 children to his first wife, and is the biological
mother to Franklin and Susan, also known as “Younger Brother” and “Little Sister”.
Niang and Father got married one year after Adelines real mother died. Niang is a
young french woman, with a beautiful appearance but an evil inside. She thinks she is the
ruler of the household and according to her everything must go her way. Niang spoils her
two children more than Adeline and her older siblings. Niang is the enemy in the novel,
and no matter how much obstacles she causes for Adeline to face, Adeline stands up for
her rights and doesn’t let Niang bring her down.
“Do you hear me? I want them out this minute! Are you deaf? Tell them to gun dan
(get lost) and never come here again! Never! Never!”

6. LYDIA
(BIG SISTER)

7. Lydia also known as ‘Big Sister’ is the oldest child of Father’s original children. She is a
envious, cruel and aggressive character. Since Lydia was born with a lame arm, she uses
that as an excuse for her younger siblings to do her chores at home. This is one of her
ways of manipulating those around her. Out of all 7 children, she is the only one that
would try be on Niang’s good side just so she can get rewarded with things, for example
when she was welcomed to join the admirable children on the second floor. Big sister
treats Adeline very poorly, just like Niang but Lydia is just a normal young woman
seeking for love and attention. Big Sister is that desperate for love, Niang arranges a
marriage for Lydia to a 31 year old gentleman named Samuel. Lydia is just 17 but is
thrilled that she has love and attention. After the marriage, it leads Big Sister to her
honeymoon and also her exit out of the novel.
“If you had not been born, Mama would still be alive. She died because of you. You are
bad luck!”

8. GREGORY
(BIG BROTHER)

9. Gregory is Adeline’s older brother and is the child after Lydia. He shows more
maturity than the others due to his role as Big Brother. Gregory takes the cup of
being the most defiant child towards Niang. He has a good bond with his brothers
and there are times where he is kind to his other siblings. However he is the reason
for the death of Adeline’s pet PLT and also was one of the idiots that lied to
Adeline about the orange juice that was mixed with urine. Big Brother and his 2
younger brothers Edgar and James are forced by Niang to not only get an old
fashioned hairstyle but to wear old fashioned clothing which then leads to hate and
mockery from their school peers.
“To her we are not separate people. Here we have become one single unit known as
all of you. Seems like this is how it’s going to be from now on.”

10. AUNT BABA

11. Aunt Baba is Adeline’s Father's older sister. Aunt Baba is characterized as a single and
humble woman. She’s living with her brother due to her financial struggles, so she’s
counting on her brother and in return she helps out with duties at home, especially looking
out for the children. Aunt Baba and Adeline develop a unique bond due to they are the
known as the powerless ones in the family. Aunt Baba becomes Adelines motivation as she
encourages Adeline to strive to the best of her ability and pursue her dreams so that she
can be the different one in her family. Aunt Baba is the only person who takes notice of
Adeline even if she doesn’t win medals from school She has high expectations for Adeline
because she believes Adeline has the potential. With the help of Aunt Baba, Adeline
becomes everything Aunt Baba had hoped for her to become.
“One day soon you’ll be able to translate all this into Chinese for me. Until then, we’ll
just write today’s date on the envelope and put it away somewhere safe. Go close the door
properly and put on the latch so no one will come in.