The chapter opens with the narrator washing some fruits. He's reading the manuscript. It's sweet, he says, and he wants to try it. But he's worried about his son, who's avoiding him. He has to get him back. The narrator thanks the teacher for his gift of a new envelope for the new year. The teacher thanks him and says he'll stay at the family's house this year. He thanks the narrator for the gift and tells him that he can sleep with him from now on. He tells the teacher that even though he acts like a man, the kid is still scaredy cat. He asks the teacher if he fought with Mr. xiang, and the teacher says no, he has told him so many times not to interfere in adults' affairs. He then asks the little brat how her relationship is with her boyfriend. The little brat asks her if she has any questions. She asks if she can cheer up her boyfriend if he is unhappy.