The narrator introduces us to a young man named Mangmang, who works as a draughtsman for a company in Shanghai. He's eager to learn more about Lin and his family. He wants to know why Lin has to push himself so hard to get a job. The young man tells the narrator that he's finished a painting of Lin, but that it's not quite finished yet. He asks if Lin is looking for a job, and the young man replies that he is. He also says that he doesn't work for a living, but wants to change himself. The narrator is excited to hear that Lin has finally contacted Otto, and hopes that he will be able to reach her in the U.S.