The novel opens with an extended conversation between an elderly woman and her granddaughter. The woman, who is called "auntie," scolds her granddaughter for following her around. She tells her granddaughter that she has invited her for dinner, but that she was afraid she would scare her if she suddenly asked. She says that her son has bought everything in the house and that he is the rich one. After the conversation, the young woman, named "daodao," thanks the old woman for her hospitality. The old woman tells her that she is an "outdated old man" and that she cares too much for her granddaughter, who has been raised by her mother. The elderly woman says that even if her husband had died 30 years ago, she would not feel lonely because she is surrounded by family.