In this chapter, we learn that the families of the novel's characters are from different parts of China. For example, the family of dazhuang is from Zhejiang Province, while that of xiaoxio is from Fujian Province. The family of huang xian is from Guangdong Province, and that of his wife is from Hunan Province. We learn that huang zhengtai, the father of ding ding, was on a business trip when he brought home some frozen meat balls from the market. His wife, who has never been to the market before, buys the balls and makes a batch of soup with them. The soup is so good that the family calls for dinner, and the family eats.