Chapter summaries If You Could See the Sun Ann Liang

Chapter 17 Summary: The Kidnapping and Rescue of Peter Oh

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Alice uses her invisibility to sneak into Peter's hotel room and plant a note from Andrew She that lures him to Room 2005. Peter follows the instructions, and Andrew's men capture him. Alice takes Peter's phone and sees a message from his mother, which fills her with guilt. She returns to the room, frees Peter, but both are caught. The kidnappers tie Alice up, but she escapes and meets Henry, who helps her pursue the kidnappers to a parking lot. Henry pretends to be the hotel owner's son to distract the men, punches one, and Alice uses the car keys to free Peter. They flee but crash into Mr. Murphy.

Key Events

  • Alice enters Peter's room invisibly, places the note on his pillow, and wakes him.
  • Peter reads the note and goes to the stairs after Alice repeatedly turns off the elevator button.
  • Peter arrives at Room 2005; Andrew She's men grab him and drag him inside.
  • Alice takes Peter's phone; a Kakao message from his mother makes her feel deep remorse.
  • Alice returns to the room using a code ("club sandwich with truffle fries") and sees Peter tied up.
  • She frees him, but the kidnappers catch them and tie Alice's hands before taking Peter away.
  • Alice saws through the ropes against a desk corner and runs down the stairs.
  • She meets Henry, who agrees to help without hesitation.
  • In the parking lot, Henry distracts the kidnappers by claiming his father owns the hotel.
  • Henry punches the lead kidnapper, then tackles another; Alice uses car keys to open the trunk and free Peter.
  • Alice hits a kidnapper with a water bottle; all three escape and run into Mr. Murphy.

Character Development

  • Alice Sun: Experiences intense guilt after reading Peter's mother's message, showing her moral conflict. Her decision to return to Room 2005 and physically fight the kidnappers demonstrates growth from passive observer to active rescuer. She also becomes resourceful under pressure, using a code, a fruit knife, and a water bottle.
  • Henry Li: Reveals hidden courage and loyalty. He pretends to be his father (the hotel owner) to distract the kidnappers, punches a man for the first time, and sustains a bloody hand while protecting Alice. His willingness to risk himself for Alice deepens their partnership.
  • Peter Oh: Remains largely passive during the kidnapping, injured and shocked, but his vulnerability highlights the high stakes of Alice's actions.
  • Jake Nguyen: Briefly appears as Peter's roommate, oblivious to Alice's presence.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Guilt and Regret: Alice's reaction to Mrs. Oh's message—"my chest tightens, tightens until I can't breathe"—shows the emotional weight of betraying someone's trust. Her repeated thought "I can't believe I landed myself in this situation" underscores her regret.
  • Invisibility as a Tool for Deception: Alice uses her power to plant the note, sabotage the elevator, and hide from the kidnappers, illustrating how invisibility enables unethical choices.
  • Loyalty and Sacrifice: Henry's unhesitating assistance—"He simply rolls up his sleeves and says, 'Okay. Let's go'"—reinforces the theme of friendship despite danger. Alice's return to rescue Peter, even after succeeding, shows loyalty overriding self-interest.
  • Consequences of Wealth and Power: Andrew She's use of hired kidnappers and the black-market app highlights how money corrupts; Henry's bluff about his father's hotel ownership demonstrates privilege as a shield.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 17 is the turning point where Alice's plan to kidnap Peter for financial gain backfires. Her guilt forces her to rescue him, escalating the conflict and risking exposure of her power. The chapter also deepens Alice and Henry's alliance, showing Henry willing to break social norms (fighting) for her. It raises the stakes for the rest of the story: Alice now has both the kidnapping and her invisibility to conceal, and the cliffhanger collision with Mr. Murphy suggests immediate consequences.

Study Questions

  1. What does Alice's decision to return to Room 2005 and free Peter reveal about her character?
    Alice's return shows that her guilt overpowers her initial willingness to commit the kidnapping. Despite the million RMB prize and her need for financial security, she cannot ignore the humanity of Peter and his family. This action marks her shift from a morally compromised deal-maker to someone who prioritizes others' well-being over her own advantage.

  2. How does Henry contribute to the rescue, and what does his behavior suggest about his feelings toward Alice?
    Henry distracts the kidnappers by pretending to be the hotel owner's son, then physically fights (punching a man, tackling another) to create an opening for Alice. His immediate agreement to help and the fact that he gets hurt reveal deep loyalty and likely romantic interest. He also follows Alice's lead without questioning her story.

  3. Why is the collision with Mr. Murphy at the end of the chapter a significant cliffhanger?
    Mr. Murphy is a teacher at their school supervising the trip. Running into him while covered in sweat, with Peter injured and Alice's hands presumably rope-burned, forces them to explain their actions. Mr. Murphy could start an investigation that reveals the kidnapping plot, Alice's involvement, and possibly even her invisibility power.

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