The chapter opens with a conversation between Du and Zizifei's mother, Madame Guizhou, and her daughter-in-law, Guizhoujiamei. The two women discuss their son, Shaoqian, who has been living with them for the past five years, but he is not able to live up to his promise to take care of them and their children. They decide to divorce him, and Guizhou asks her to take back her card and key.