Chinese Cinderella

At the end of the school term, Adeline observes her two closest friends at school, Rachel and Mary. Both girls have their own difficult home lives: Mary’s father prefers his mistress to her mother and neglects her branch of the family, and Rachel’s father places inordinate pressure on her to succeed after her parents’ separation. Adeline feels that she cannot confide in them about her own troubles because she does not want to burden them further. Before her friends leave for the upcoming break, the girls imagine sailing away on one of the ships in the harbor.

Adeline begins to feel sick after her classmates depart for the break, and she is hospitalized for pneumonia. After being treated with penicillin, she recovers and gets to briefly visit Ye Ye and Third Brother before school begins again. Over lunch, Ye Ye reveals that Aunt Baba is doing well and Big Sister has had a baby. Adeline’s two eldest brothers are studying in England, and Third Brother will join them next year. When Third Brother asks Adeline about her plans, she expresses self-doubt. Ye Ye admonishes her, telling her that she is special and should forge a path for herself.