Chapter 9 Summary

Winnie and Helen, then Hulan, 18, met for the first time in Hangchow. Both had married air force pilots and thought themselves lucky. Americans were training the pilots, and the language barrier caused many misunderstandings. Winnie says that is what gave the Japanese their opportunity to invade China.

Winnie and Wen Fu had only been married a month when they moved from his parents' house to the monastery at the training facility. Wen Fu's mother had instructed Winnie on the ways of a proper wife, telling her to burn her finger testing his soup but never cry out because such a sacrifice for a husband should not hurt. Wen Fu demanded sex every night. Before he had been gentle and coaxing, but now in their rooms at the training facility, he wanted her to say dirty words. When she refused, he put her out...