GaoLing was always the favored child, but now she has met a fate considerably worse than LuLing’s. GaoLing’s letter shows LuLing the life she narrowly avoided by being sent away to the orphanage. Even so, LuLing’s overwhelming, persistent shame over Precious Auntie’s death keeps her from feeling thankful for her circumstances. She continues to see herself as cursed, even though her situation at the orphanage—where she has a job, the solidarity of other women, and personal agency—is clearly preferable to GaoLing’s.