When there was nothing but the young sons and the old parents to live for, she was told to stay married. Because of her deadly kindheartedness, she was told to collaborate in helping Bing create more debts. When Bing became an absolute menace to everyone, she was told to leave Bing. But she never did. As time passed, and the boys grew up and she herself grew old and the old older and life became tougher, she was told to be at least fi nancially independent. Alas, as long as she earned a so-so living, Bing would fi nd every possible way to seize control of her fortune. Mei, therefore, could have never been really independent.