What We Were Promised

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Set in modern Shanghai, this debut by a Chinese-American writer follows the Zhen family as they navigate the complexities of wealth, family secrets, and unfulfilled promises upon their return to China. After years pursuing the American dream, Wei, Lina, and their daughter, Karen, settle into a luxurious serviced apartment, joining an elite community of Chinese-born, Western-educated professionals. The tranquility of their new life is disrupted when Lina discovers that her cherished ivory bracelet has gone missing, triggering unease within the household. Wei, a marketing strategist, grapples with guilt over his career choices, while Lina, feeling isolated in her new role as a taitai—a housewife who does no housework—reflects on her arranged marriage and unresolved feelings for Wei's brother, Qiang. Sunny, the family's observant housekeeper, silently witnesses the family's tensions and understands the weight of hidden secrets. The situation escalates when Qiang reappears after years of living on the run with a gang, forcing the family to confront their past and its impact on their future. Spanning from a rural silk-producing village to suburban America and back to the opulence of post-Maoist Shanghai, the narrative delves into the obligations we hold to our country, families, and ourselves.