Chapter 5
Ailin also continues to succeed in school, despite her father's declining health. She does very well with her English and pronunciation, and even expresses feeling like she has a new identity with her English pronunciation. She also finds teachers that she doesn't love, such as Miss Scott, who gave a pretty scathing perspective of China. Also, her Uncle, when he's not on a tirade about the rebellion in China, expresses his disapproval of Ailin continuing to be in school.
At the closing of chapter 5, Ailin runs into Hanwei, her ex-fiancee. He still seems kind to her, and Ailin's friend says he seems "interested in her." Ailin ponders the traditions of bound feet and why it was ever put into place at the close of the chapter 5.
Chapter 6
Ailin's father's health is continually declining. She attempts to ignore it, but it isn't until Second Sister talks to her and explains that her education is in jeopardy if her father gets too sick; Ailin's uncle would decide what would happen with Ailin after her dad dies.
Sure enough, when Ailin's father passes away, Big Uncle explains that the tuition money is something they cannot continue to pay for her. Ailin contests a lot of his statements, saying that she might as well finish the last two months of her school that have already been paid for and that he has no right to put her to death under the new law in the government. Her retorts infuriate Big Uncle.
When Ailin tells her teachers she isn't returning, Miss Gilbertson offers to tutor her. The tutoring begins and Ailin progresses rapidly, learning to speak entirely in English in mere weeks. At the end of the chapter Miss Gilbertson introduces her to a member of the Warner family.
