In this chapter, we learn that the protagonist is named Shu-ming, and that he is the son of a wealthy family. He was raised by his parents in the countryside, and he has grown up in a boarding school in the city. He is now nineteen years old, and has been living in a basement room with the government for the past six months. He has run afoul of the authorities, and fled to Tibet, where he has been staying with Shu's sister, Shu-Ruyue.