This chapter opens with a soliloquy by lishang, who has just returned from a trip to China. He tells us that he's had a "chaotic day" , and that he and Chinglishang are "friends" . He's not sure if he'd like to accept anything less than Chinglishan's proposal, but he doesn't want to be a concubine, so he won't be accepting anything less from Chinglishand . Chinglishin tells him to be nice to him, and promises to stay by his side, even if he runs away from him. He also reminds Chinglish and Lingzhi that they've only a few days to decide whether or not to accept his proposal, and he reminds them that they have to leave the "prickets of mysteries" by tomorrow. He warns them that if they don't leave, they'll have to move their entire family to the "dongxi country" and he'll be there to protect them.