Content Warning: This section of the novel contains descriptions of domestic violence and anti-Asian racism.

1969: Minh’s jewelry business flourished. She, Xuân, and their children moved out of Xuân’s parents’ house and into their own home. The war continued, and Minh sewed gold into all of their clothes, just in case they ever needed to flee. They were all happy until Xuân got sick. Minh’s children stayed with Xuân’s parents so that they did not catch his illness while she nursed him. When Minh visited her children, Hương told Minh to stop leaving her and her brother. Minh tried to explain that she had to take care of their father, but Hương accused Minh of being a bad mother. Angered, Minh slapped Hương. She immediately regretted it and tried to apologize, but Hương “turned from [her] and wouldn’t speak to [her] for days afterward” (152). 

A week later, Xuân died. On his deathbed, he told Minh to protect their children. He told her that “even if [she] never loved [him], [he was hers] forever” (153). Minh was devastated by Xuân’s death but vowed to survive everything for her children.