The chapter opens with a description of Hai Lanliao, who grew up on three islands in the middle of the sea. He tells his father stories about his life, which he finds boring. When his father tells the stories outside the island, he feels that they are interesting and novel. His father tells him that he needs to work harder until he is old enough to learn more about the story. During this time, the island experiences an unprecedented catastrophe, which greatly increases Hai Lanlilao's interest in the story