Christine Hong stands with her peers and gets ready to perform the violin for her local church. Her father stands in the aisle snapping photographs as Christine looks totally at ease. When she is finished performing, her mother lectures her for undoing her collar and ruining all the photographs, but when Christine looks at the camera, she only sees two photos with her in them.

The church hosts a buffet lunch afterward. While Christine sits with some of her church friends, a disheveled-looking girl with short curly hair walks in to get some food. Christine finds out the girl’s name is Moon, and that her mother owns a nearby plant nursery and sings to her plants. She also hears that Moon becomes violent when she’s angry. Moon’s family is experiencing financial difficulties. When Christine’s parents hear this, they offer their spare unit to Moon and her mother. Christine is hesitant and nervous about the idea of living with someone like Moon.

Christine’s father decides to bring Christine and her younger sister, Vivian, over to meet the Lins. Christine warns Vivian to not get too close, adding that Moon might be mean.