This chapter's epigraph comes from a conversation between Bai Ling and his uncle, who has just returned from a trip. Bai Ling tells his uncle that he has heard that his son has been injured in the fight with the werewolf, and that he blames Bai Ling for his son's injury. He tells Bai Ling that he will be returning soon with food for him, and promises that everything will be ready for him when he returns. Bai tells him that the money will come from his contract salary, and he will not need to thank him for it. He says that the handwriting on the letter is so ugly that he does not want to thank Bai Ling. He also says that he is relying on Bai Ling so that he may shield many things for him. When Bai Ling asks where his uncle is, he is interrupted by the sound of a knock at the door. He asks to be let in, but his uncle refuses to let him in, saying that they are working for a living and that their contract is not