The chapter opens with a description of the departure of the protagonist from Hong Kong. He is afraid that he will not be able to cope with the darkness of his departure. He tries to comfort himself by saying that he is afraid of what will happen to him if he does not behave. He tells his friend that he has overheard her talking with the woman on the balcony. He says that he admires the way she looked at him. He also tells her that she is the first friend he has made. He asks her if she has come up with an idea for a talent competition. She says that she has an idea. He then asks her why she would ask them to quit the competition when there are so few directors. She tells him that she will be the main selling point of his next competition.