The next morning, Proteus arrives home to find that his wife and daughter-in-law have gone on a vacation. He tells his wife that he has come to see her, and he asks her to persuade him to come back to see his son. She says that she does not want her son to worry about her and her family, and she tells him that if he finds out that she has lied to him or used him, she will hate him. He says that he cannot predict or change the future, but he can cherish the present. He asks her if one day she will find out that her son has lied or used her. She replies that she will not suspect him, since she knows he has at least loved her. He can take advantage of her, she says, but she knows that he loves her. If only one of them can live, he says, then he will choose her without hesitation. He takes his wife away, refuses to communicate with his son, and even throws Dongli overboard without his permission. He also takes his son's woman away. He even forced Dongli to jump in the sea with his permission when he did these things. He is the one who lets his son risk his life so that he can protect his wife. He invites his wife to come home for a New Year's Eve party, and when she refuses, he tells her to take her away.