A Chinese American immigrant in his mid-twenties who works at a restaurant in Stanton, Connecticut, before returning to New York City. He served in the army during World War II and carries a secret history of patronizing sex workers. This hidden past deeply affects his current marital life, causing severe anxiety and intimacy issues with his new bride. He is alert and conscientious but feels the heavy expectations of his father.

A smart and modest young woman born and raised in Sunwei, China. Educated at an English school, she is chosen by her distant father to marry an American immigrant. Upon arriving in New York, she immediately faces extreme motion sickness, profound isolation in the bachelor-dominated city, and unexpected physical distance from her husband. She misses the familiarity of her home village.

A proud patriarch and prominent member of New York's Chinatown community. He owns the Money Come club and belongs to numerous local organizations, including the Wang Association. After living away from his wife for decades, he arranges for his son to travel to their home village to secure a traditional bride. He places high value on his reputation and community standing.

A slight man with silvery black hair who has lived alone in New York for twenty years. He traveled to the United States alongside Wah Gay and counts heavily on their enduring friendship. Pressured by his wife's letters from China, he approaches Wah Gay to arrange a match between their children.

A youthful-looking man in his mid-forties with a crew-cut who is a regular patron at the Money Come club. He holds a poor reputation among the older men regarding his behavior around women. As an outsider without powerful family connections in the local tongs, he relies on his status as a familiar face to maintain his presence in the community.

The president of the Wang Association and a highly respected figure in Chinatown. Known for his fair dealing, he acts as a mediator and leader for the extended Wang family. He takes his leadership responsibilities seriously and wields significant influence within the local social hierarchy.

Wah Gay's wife and Ben Loy's mother, who lives in the village of Sunwei, China. A devout Christian, she strictly observes cultural customs and relies on traditional birth charts to ensure a proper match for her son.

Lee Gong's wife and Mei Oi's mother, living in China. She is deeply embedded in traditional Chinese customs and vows to meticulously observe all traditional offerings and holidays on behalf of her daughter's new marriage.

Ben Loy's former roommate and coworker at the Pagoda House in Connecticut. He frequently travels into New York City for entertainment and introduces Ben Loy to the underground world of sex workers. He is highly social and eager to assimilate into American culture.

A rent collector in Chinatown who frequently visits local barbershops and coffee shops to share and gather information. He serves as an informal conduit for neighborhood gossip.

A local barber in New York's Chinatown whose shop serves as a central hub for the bachelor community's discussions and idle gossip.

The wife of Wang Wing Sim and a prominent member of the Wang extended family. She considers herself a guardian of the family's reputation and holds strict expectations regarding the behavior of younger, newer wives in the community.

Ben Loy's cousin and a prominent business owner within the Wang Association. He defers to his father's leadership while trying to manage his wife's strong opinions.

Wah Gay's former middle school roommate who now lives in Newark, New Jersey. He shares a long history with Wah Gay and struggles with his own isolation since his wife refuses to immigrate to the United States.

The English-language secretary for the Ping On Tong. He acts as an official representative and negotiator for the powerful community organization when legal or police matters arise.

The Chinese-language secretary for the Ping On Tong who works alongside George Dong to enforce the organization's decisions within the community.

A local detective who occasionally enters Chinatown to investigate disturbances, representing the outside legal authority that the community often tries to avoid.