Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis

De-hong receives a promotion and a new boss, Mrs. Ting. Mrs. Ting's husband is powerful just like Chang Shou-yu but they have vastly different attitudes, allowing De-hong to read novels, see American movies at the cinema, and even wear colored blouses under her uniform.

She works at factories seeking to improve conditions and to recruit party members but is exposed to tuberculosis and is soon hospitalized until after she delivers the next baby. It's suggested that she move to a larger hospital as the doctor at her current location has never delivered a baby, but Chang Shou-yu refuses special treatment. The doctor calls in a second surgeon. They are concerned because Chang Shou-yu is a high-ranking official who might retaliate if his wife and child die, but they are more concerned that De-hong's lungs will be damaged after the birth because...