Part 1, Lindo Jong, "The Red Candle" Summary

Lindo Jong sacrifices her own life to keep her parents' promise. The village matchmaker promises her to Huang Taitai's baby son when she is two years old. As soon as she is so promised, her own family treats her as if she belongs to somebody else. Her mother hides her tears so she will not want a child who is no longer hers. When Lindo is twelve, the rains come and the Fen River floods her family's land. Everyone is poor. Her father moves the family to Shanghai, where her uncle owns a small flour mill. Lindo is old enough to live with the Huangs. The Jongs give the Huangs their furniture and bedding as her dowry. Lindo's mother gives her a red jade necklace.

The Huangs are not wealthy, but...