Ting, 42, is CC's boss at a PR agency in Beijing. She is considered open-minded for her age. Her generation didn't have mandatory English education, but she learned to speak English fluently on her own. While most women of Ting's generation take pride in being loyal wives and good mothers, she is a natural flirt. She is not afraid to flash her seductive smile at a man. At the agency, everybody knows that Ting has been having an affair with a married man called Jack for 10 years. Jack is a successful real estate developer, and Ting is proud that she has never received expensive gifts from him. She often tells CC that their love is real love, not one based on material things. Two years ago, Ting divorced her husband and left her only child, hoping to marry Jack. Although Jack declared his love for Ting, he has not mentioned divorcing his wife. In private, Ting's colleagues, including CC, all think Jack will never divorce his wife to marry her. Ting's personal life is a mess. When she gets along with Jack, she is nice to her colleagues. But when she and Jack aren't getting along, Ting becomes a bitch. Assessing Ting's attitude towards them each morning, her colleagues can tell what has happened between her and Jack the day before. Today, Ting is unhappy with the business plan CC wrote and reprimands her: 'Don't you wear that 'I'm an Oxford graduate - I'm better than you!' expression around me! If you're really that smart, how can you write such crap?' After yelling at CC, Ting bursts into tears. 'What's going on with you, Ting? Are you OK?' asks CC. Ting stands still for a moment. Then she says in a soft voice: 'I'm pregnant. And Jack says that he has no time to accompany me to the hospital for an abortion.' Ting forgets she is at the office, in a professional setting, where decorum is required, and starts crying again. Since being with Jack, Ting has had two abortions, which are routine in China since the advent of the 'one child' policy. For some, desensitised Chinese, abortion is no more than a form of birth control. 'So, why won't he go with you?' CC asks. 'He doesn't want us to be seen together at an abortion clinic. It's a matter of face,' says Ting. As a woman with a western education, CC often feels sad for the plight of Chinese women. In Britain, she met lazy and selfish men and idealised Chinese men. But, now, having returned to China, she realises things are worse. CC has had dinner with Ting and Jack many times. She never liked him. He's the type of man who thinks he can get any woman. After work, she calls Jack, and asks him why he won't go to the hospital with Ting.'The last two times I went with her - mainly to pay the bill,' Jack says. 'This time I don't really need to go because the hospital has a 'buy two, get one free' promotion. She won't need to pay for it this time.' 'It's not about money, Jack. It's about support!' CC says. 'I thought you loved her for 10 years and wanted to marry her.' 'Are you nuts? Ask any Chinese man. Who would want to marry a woman who has committed adultery behind her husband's back?' 'Oh, I can't believe this,' says CC. She didn't expect such a direct answer. 'Then why can't you just be honest with Ting?' 'This woman is forty-something. Her temperament is getting worse and worse. CC, I think it's time we got together. I've always liked you - you know that. And I know you think I'm handsome as well.' 'You're such a low-life monster,' says CC, hanging up the phone. At the same time, CC also realises she's 32. Ting became Jack's lover at 32. CC knows she can never tell Ting what Jack has said. Even though it means she has to put up with Ting's emotional ups and downs at work. CC thinks of Prince Charles. She never liked him when she was in Britain. But, unlike Jack, who prefers the young meat, Prince Charles wanted to divorce his young, beautiful wife, Princess Diana, to marry a middle-aged woman called Camilla. Perhaps, there is something noble about him besides his blood. At least among adulterers.