Snow Flower (Laotong)

"A laotong relationship is made by choice for the purpose of emotional companionship and eternal fidelity. A marriage is not made by choice and has only one purpose-to have sons." The tension in Lily's house builds as Mama and Baba have to choose to make the laotong match or not. If they choose to build this new realtionship then Lily will obtain a higher status in the community, will marry into a wealthy family, and bring honor to the family home. But this would bring long working hours for Babe to raise money for gifts in the dowry and making extravagent gifts for Lily's laotong match and future husband. Eventually they reach the conclusion of allowing Lily to join her soul friend, in which they share the exact same birthdate, some amount of siblings, both third sisters died, and families are equal in many ways except for wealth. Lily and Snow Flower will start communicating on a secret fan in nu shu, the mysterious language only women know and this will hopefully bring eternal friendship and love to Lily's young life.