This chapter opens with a conversation between Lu Ling and his aunt. Lu Ling tells his aunt that he has heard that her son has spent a lot of money to pay off his family debts. He says that his aunt is smart enough to know that he is still young, has his own life, and does not want to be tied down to a marriage. He compares her to a pigeon egg and says that she is afraid that he will cling onto her. The aunt tells him that he still has a long way ahead of him and that his choices will affect his life for the rest of his life