Chapters 1-3 Summary

In Chapter 1, Chueh-hui and his older brother are walking home from school. It is snowing, and they are hurrying because they're late for dinner. The homes on the street are very nice, but their home is one of the nicest. One the walls of the entrance to their home, there are plaques that say, "Benevolent rulers, happy family; long life, good harvests."

A young maid meets the brothers outside and tells them to hurry. The older brother is named Chueh-min, and he is eighteen years old. Chueh-hui is about a year younger than his brother. The older brother, Chueh-min, runs in to change his sloppy clothes before dinner, but Chueh-hui stays to talk with the servant girl, Ming-feng. He thinks Ming-feng is beautiful. She is sixteen years old.

Two aunts and a cousin are in attendance at dinner. The boys' cousin...