Family
Mr. Zhu's family dynamic is brought together by the frequent meals they share and the bonds they nurture. The unit is under threat when the members of the family begin to pursue individual desires, no longer interested in their family roles. The daughters leave the family home to start their own families. The pressure to meet traditional family expectations is infringing on their freedom to live their modern lives. Despite eating and living together, they are not comfortable confiding in one another. The farther they are from one another, the happier the family is.
Love
While working at the school, Jia-Jen and Ming-Dao take interest in one another. Jia-Chien and Li-Kai develop a relationship at work, which quickly becomes flirty. Jia-Ning falls in love with Guo-Lun who has unrequited feelings for Rachel. Luckily, they both discover fresh feelings for one another and start a relationship. Jia-Chien learns that Li-Kai broke up with Jia-Jen years ago. She chooses to protect her sister and rejects any further romantic advances from him. Mr. Zhu and Jin-Rong secretly develop a romantic relationship and get engaged, to everyone's shock.
Tradition and Modernity
The bridge between the past and the present is treacherous. As Taiwanese women, the sisters have certain expectations that weigh on them. They are faced with either living aggressively or conservatively. Traditional expectations are a burden that modern households would rather not deal with. The novel showcases the complicated move from traditional forms of love and family to modern ways that threaten the balance of living in harmony with people from differing generations.
