Who is Hong from Women of the Silk and what is their importance?

Hong was the brother of a silk worker named Su-lung. Pei and Mei-li had been invited to dinner at Su-lung's home one evening. Dinner was delightful, but Mei-li was more focused on Hong than the dinner. He was exceptionally tall. He was interested in studying economics and was busy preparing for his entrance exams to the university. Mei-li was impressed with him and quickly fell in love. Hong entertained the notion of being Mei-li's boyfriend. He met her secretly on a regular basis. During the course of their relationship, Mei-li became pregnant but did not tell him. He tired of Mei-li and ended their relationship. This was a contributing factor in Mei-li's suicide. Pei blamed Hong for Mei-li's death and felt hatred toward him.