The main message that I got from this story is that money can allow you to accomplish goals, but it ultimately does not create happiness. Liu Feng was a poor man who was shunned by most of society because of his low social standing and rugged appearance. He was rejected by his future wife’s mother until he was able to make money by running a private business. While people look at him differently now because of his higher status, he still holds his true identity within himself. He says that he is “the same small man, the same Liu Feng” (Ha Jin 120) even though he has made money and has obtained the girl of his dreams, Manshan. He buys her expensive jewelry and offers her family a place to live. While his successful job as an entrepreneur has paid off for him, he still has some hardships. He doesn’t get along with his mother-in-law, who silently lets him taunt her because she doesn’t want to lose his money. He also struggles with getting Manshan pregnant, which he expresses a great fear in that many Chinese women will leave their husbands if they are infertile. Therefore, Liu Feng has certainly gained a higher placement in his society because of his salary, but ultimately he cannot obtain true happiness due to something out of his control that money cannot fix.