Chapter summaries If You Could See the Sun Ann Liang

Chapter 3: Alice Reveals Her Secret to Aunt Xiaoyi

⚠️ 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 visits her aunt Xiaoyi at her modest flat in a Beijing compound. After Xiaoyi fusses over her and feeds her a feast of homemade dumplings, sweet buns, and other dishes, Alice tries to explain her new invisibility power. Struggling to find the right Chinese words, she finally blurts out that people cannot see her. Xiaoyi reacts with surprising calm, retrieves a toothpick from a bronze Buddha statue, and delivers philosophical advice: the universe sometimes gives us what appears to be a curse but may be a gift, and that change is temporary. Alice worries the invisibility might never vanish, but Xiaoyi counsels her to seize what is in front of her.

Key Events

  • Alice arrives at Xiaoyi’s flat, noticing the Buddha poster and spam stickers on the door.
  • Xiaoyi greets Alice with the childhood nickname “Yan Yan” and immediately offers food.
  • They engage in a familiar ritual of Alice trying to remove her shoes and Xiaoyi insisting she keep them on.
  • Over a meal of dumplings, steamed buns, sweet-and-sour pork ribs, and century egg congee, Alice learns that her mother had asked Xiaoyi for money to fund Alice’s education.
  • Alice reveals her invisibility, struggling to articulate in Chinese, eventually saying “People can’t see me.”
  • Xiaoyi remains unruffled and asks Alice to fetch a bronze Buddha statue from a shelf.
  • Instead of a profound answer, Xiaoyi pulls a toothpick from the statue and picks her teeth.
  • Xiaoyi shares wisdom from her favorite web-novel author about curses and gifts, and about the self and society reflecting each other.
  • Alice confesses her fear that the invisibility might be permanent; Xiaoyi reassures her that everything is temporary and she should act while she can.

Character Development

  • Alice (Yan Yan): This chapter deepens Alice’s internal conflict. She feels guilt over her parents’ sacrifices (especially her mother asking Xiaoyi for money) and grapples with her own cultural displacement—she remembers America in fragments and feels like an outsider in both countries. Her frustration with her limited Chinese vocabulary highlights her divided identity. The revelation of her invisibility pushes her to seek guidance from the only family member who might understand.
  • Xiaoyi: Xiaoyi is portrayed as warm, doting, and surprisingly pragmatic. She does not dismiss Alice’s claim but instead responds with calm and metaphorical wisdom. Her habit of hiding a toothpick in a Buddha statue shows her irreverent humor and down-to-earth nature. She acts as a grounding figure for Alice, offering cryptic yet meaningful advice rather than panic.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Invisibility as Metaphor: Alice’s invisibility mirrors her feelings of being unseen—both in America as a Chinese immigrant and in China as a returnee who has lost fluency. The power alienates her physically, but Xiaoyi reframes it as a potential tool.
  • Family Sacrifice: Alice’s mother borrowing money from Xiaoyi underscores the lengths her parents go to for her education. This deepens Alice’s guilt and motivates her later choices.
  • Cultural Disconnect: Alice’s struggle to find the Chinese word for “invisible” symbolizes her linguistic and identity crisis. She lives between two worlds, fully belonging to neither.
  • Food as Comfort and Connection: The elaborate meal Xiaoyi prepares is an expression of love and care. Food bridges the generational and cultural gap, providing a safe space for Alice to share her secret.
  • Wisdom from Unlikely Sources: Xiaoyi’s reference to a web-novel about demon hunters and her toothpick trick suggest that profound truth can come from humble, even absurd places.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 3 is a turning point in Alice’s journey. It is the first time she voluntarily tells someone about her invisibility, and the person she chooses is not a peer or authority figure at school but her aunt—a symbol of her Chinese roots and unconditional family love. Xiaoyi’s reaction normalizes the supernatural event, shifting Alice’s perception from terror toward possibility. The chapter also deepens the novel’s exploration of identity and belonging, and it plants the seed for Alice’s later decision to use her power for gain. Without this conversation, Alice might have remained paralyzed by fear; instead, she leaves with a new, if ambiguous, framework for understanding her ability.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Alice choose to tell her aunt about her invisibility rather than her parents?
    Answer: Alice feels closer to Xiaoyi, who has always doted on her and provided a safe, timeless space. She also learns that her mother already borrowed money from Xiaoyi for Alice’s education, which adds a layer of guilt; Alice may not want to burden her parents further with this strange problem. Xiaoyi’s calm, non-judgmental response confirms Alice’s instinct to trust her.

  2. How does Xiaoyi’s advice, “everything is temporary… seize whatever’s in front of you,” influence Alice’s mindset?
    Answer: Xiaoyi’s words reframe the invisibility from a permanent curse to a passing phase. This encourages Alice to stop worrying about losing control and instead consider what she might gain from the ability. It foreshadows her later decision to use the power proactively, such as in academic or financial pursuits.

  3. What does the bronze Buddha statue and the toothpick reveal about Xiaoyi’s character?
    Answer: The statue appears sacred but contains a mundane toothpick, showing that Xiaoyi values practicality over superstition. She uses humor and unexpected sources to teach lessons. This trait makes her an effective guide for Alice: she does not offer easy answers but instead encourages Alice to find meaning through action.

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