chapter 9-10

 Traditionally, the Chinese New Year is a significant holiday full of specific rituals and all around celebration. The children are invited into the “Holy of Holies” for New Year’s clothes. The brothers are given identical, loose fitting Chinese smocks while the sisters are given plain qipaos. They’re outraged by the “blatant inequality” between them and Niang’s children, who received stylish western outfits for the New Years, and start to talk about how unfair life is. The youngest siblings have the most modern clothes, trendiest hairstyles, unlimited access to the kitchen and are allowed to buy anything they desire.