Summary

Over the course of a month, the protagonist wrote Shui Ling three letters, one of which disavowed their relationship as true love. Four months later, she wrote two more letters. She wished the best for Shui Ling and informed her of her decision to move in with Xiao Fan.

Now living with Xiao Fan, the narrator observed, “Her brilliant execution of a feminine style didn’t stop her from making fun of her own clothes and makeup” (216). She pointed out an instance when Xiao Fan had tripped on an evening gown at a cocktail party in front of her boss, then “laughed” her way home, later “boast(ing)” (216) about the incident to the narrator. The narrator summarized their time living together, noticing Xiao Fan “had come to experience everyone as an intractable burden” (221) and talking about movies as “the only time that (Xiao Fan...