Shanghai is the main setting, where Ai-Ling grows up in a wealthy family during the 1930s and 1940s, experiencing the tumultuous changes of pre-war China and the Japanese occupation. The city serves as a backdrop for her childhood experiences, including her strained relationship with her stepmother and her yearning for love and acceptance.
Hong Kong becomes relevant later in the story when Ai-Ling and her family flee Shanghai during the civil war. Here, she encounters new challenges and opportunities, ultimately pursuing her education and achieving success as a doctor.
The book provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of China during a pivotal period of its history, with Shanghai and Hong Kong serving as distinct and important settings in Ai-Ling's journey.