Summary

A week after the protagonist encountered James on the street, she received a letter from him, which was headed, “Dear Minnie” (71). This is the first time in the story that Sui provides the protagonist’s name. Minnie read the letter, which stated that James was willing to forget the past and reunite with her. Minnie ignored the letter. However, it troubled her, and Liu Kanghi noticed this. He asked her why she was upset, and Minnie told him that he would learn everything when she got home from the city. When Minnie returned and told Liu Kanghi everything, Liu Kanghi proposed to her. Minnie told him that she needed to think about it.

Another letter from James arrived before Minnie could make her decision concerning the proposal. The letter was threatening and referred to Minnie’s daughter. This caused Minnie to decide that...