A 23-year-old girl from China travels to London to study English and meets a man with whom she explores love, sex, freedom, and cultural differences. Twenty-three year old Zhuang, or “Z” as she calls herself, leaves her small hometown in China to complete a one-year English language course in London, England. Initially, she is very lonely and is confused by the new language and culture that surrounds her. Her most faithful companion is her Chinese-to-English dictionary, which she uses as a means to understand the words and concepts she observes. While at the movies one night, she meets an English man (whose name is never given). After the film, Z and the man walk around London and despite Z's limited vocabulary, the two quickly bond. Soon after, Z moves in with him and they begin a relationship.
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At first their relationship is exciting, close, and loving. The man leads Z through a new world of love and sex, while also helping her expand her vocabulary and understanding of the English language and culture. However, as their relationship progresses, their philosophical, personal, cultural, and linguistic differences begin to put a strain on their relationship. The initial clashes regarding their future plans and expectations from one another soon evolve into more broad arguments about the notions of privacy, freedom, agency, and an individual's responsibility to others.
In an effort to decrease Z's linguistic and emotional dependency on him and regain his own sense of self, the man sends her on a one-month solo journey through Europe. On her journey, Z meets various men—and hastily sleeps with one—and realizes she is capable of maintaining and enjoying an existence independent of the man. However, she is still unable to fully embrace the concept of individuality and freedom from commitment to others.
Upon her return to England, she finds that her time away from the man has only strained their relationship further. The two take a trip to the Welsh countryside to escape the stresses of urban life and to reconnect with each other, but the man recedes further into himself, leaving Z saddened and frustrated.
After visiting his family for the Christmas holidays, Z once again confronts the man about their future plans, as her British visa is about to expire. The man expresses his belief of the impermanence of relationships and importance of an individual's ability to move as he pleases. This leaves Z in a state of confusion. Despite this uncertainty, Z applies for a visa extension, hoping that its approval or rejection will serve as a sign as to whether her relationship with the man is meant to last.
Z's visa extension is rejected, and her relationship with the man comes to an end the day she leaves England to return to China. Instead of going back to her hometown, she decides to enjoy her newfound independence and adulthood in Beijing. She receives a final letter from the man, informing her that he has finally left London and settled in the Welsh countryside. He fondly reminisces about the trip they had taken there together, as well as other aspects of their relationship. With this letter, Z comes to terms with the happiness and disappointments of their relationship and is finally at peace.
Best part of story, including ending:
Z's narration offers a refreshing and unique perspective on the complications of Western culture and their reflection in the English language. While there are many humorous episodes in which Z grossly misunderstands a word or idiom, her reflections are overall very thought-provoking.
Best scene in story:
Shortly after meeting the man, Z asks if she can see his home. He responds with the common idiom, "be my guest". The word "guest" is unfamiliar to Z, and after looking it up in her Chinese-English dictionary, she concludes that the man has invited her to move in with him, an offer she readily accepts.
Opinion about the main character:
Z gradually gains the ability to understand both Western/English culture as well as her own, and she frequently reflects on the distinctions and commonalities between the two cultures.
