The chapter opens with a conversation between Huairen's grandson and his grandmother. The grandson is angry that his grandfather has refused to allow his grandmother to attend his father's last rites. He is also angry that he has been forced to give away his mother's pension. The grandmother tells the grandson not to make trouble at the funeral, since it is his grandfather's. She also tells him that the family is very rich and powerful, and that he should be aware of their power. The grandfather tells his grandson that he is in trouble, and he has to talk to his father about it. He says that the funeral is like a "mad dog" that will bite anyone who tries to stop it.