This chapter's epigraph comes from a conversation between Ming-ting and Ling-ting, in which Ming says that he's going to do what he thinks is right, even if it means hurting someone else. He's not going to let anyone down, he says, and he'll do it no matter what the consequences. He tells Ming to give him his book back, and then he gives Ming a cell phone so he can talk to Ming alone. Ming is all, "I'm sorry, but my older brother will be picking me up tomorrow" , and Ming says, "Well, I'm lucky to make such a good friend as you right after starting school" . Ming tells him that he made a new female friend today, and that he