Ling has always known that survival is a matter of power and popularity. Her mother fled the cultural revolution for Hong Kong and worked her way up from hawkers to slumlord through sheer ruthlessness. She hoped Ling would climb even higher, but her daughter's teaching career is a perpetual disappointment. 

Cantonese and English have long held sway, but Sing Din school is rapidly aligning with mainland China. Without flawless Mandarin, Ling must strive to remain the favourite of her superiors - and keep a sharp lookout for rivals. When frumpy, diligent Wai is hired at the school, Ling believes she can handle her. But in this seismic cultural shift all the old rules are being rewritten. 

Lau Yee-Wa's portrayal of the upheaval that citizens of Hong Kong continue to face has made her a celebrated author in Cantonese. Translated into English for the first time, her debut is a taut, compelling novel of ambition and betrayal.