Part II: Chapter 7, The January Revolution and Military Control Summary and Analysis

Cheng waits for the interrogator to call her again, but nothing happens. She knows that something is happening in the world, but since she is cut off, she does not know exactly what is going on. Finally, one of the guards snaps at her that a revolution is going on. The revolution makes the guards distracted and during this time, a prisoner takes advantage and sings "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve. To Cheng, it is one of the most beautiful sounds she has ever heard.

The Shanghai municipal government is overthrown by rebels and Cheng's hopes for a quick release are dashed. Cheng soon begins to worry about her daughter and requests that Meiping be brought to her cell so she can be safe. The...