China Rich Girlfriend

Shanghai, June 2013. The newlyweds arrive at their suite in an expensive hotel. They receive a note from Rachel’s father telling them that he was called away on business and is putting them in a hotel rather than inviting them to his home. He also invites them to dinner with Carlton that evening. Nick understands how much Rachel wants to be accepted by her family. The Youngs have traced their ancestors all the way back to 432, but Rachel has never known her father. A delivery of food and beverages comes with a note from Carlton.

A flashback to earlier that morning at the Bao residence reveals that Bao Shaoyen packed and left on a trip to Hong Kong so she doesn’t have to meet Rachel. She is convinced it will ruin her husband’s political career if he admits to having an illegitimate child. She also thinks Gaoliang is bringing shame on Carlton. She tells Gaoliang he must choose between his illegitimate daughter or his wife and son.

Venice, Italy. Astrid is in Venice for the Biennale festival, where she is slighted at a party by a snobby art dealer who doesn’t know who she is. Her friend admires Astrid’s vintage Fortuny dress, which she bought for a bargain from an antique shop in Jakarta. Astrid is disturbed by an email from her French nanny, Ludivine, who reveals that Michael locked Cassian in a closet for four hours because Cassian scratched Michael’s vintage Porsche while he was playing. Astrid has a tense conversation with Michael, who says he doesn’t want Cassian to end up like Astrid’s pompous, entitled cousins so is trying to discipline him. Astrid meets Charlie’s wife, Isabel Wu. She greets Isabel with friendliness and says she’s sorry Isabel couldn’t join them on their California road trip. Isabel’s friend accuses Astrid of throwing it in Isabel’s face that Astrid is Charlie’s mistress.

Three on the Bund, Shanghai. As they are driven to dinner, Nick recalls visiting Hong Kong when he was a child. His father pointed out the Chinese mainland and told Nick it was where his great-great-grandparents came from, but he couldn’t travel there because it was a Communist country and people with Singapore passports were not allowed to enter. Now China is skyscrapers. Nick points across the river and tells Rachel that Pudong was farmland 10 years ago and now “it’s a financial district that makes Wall Street look like a fishing village” (187).

At the Whampoa club, they are shown to a private room, but the Baos are not there. A striking young woman enters the restaurant and the manager identifies her as Colette Bing, one of China’s foremost fashion icons with 35 million social media followers. Colette takes Nick and Rachel to meet Carlton. Rachel is astonished and affected to meet her brother. Carlton apologizes that his parents are busy and introduces Colette as a good friend but not his girlfriend. Colette says breezily that she is 23 and not about to tie herself down, though someday she might settle for Carlton.

Colette takes them to a private dining room at a Shanghai restaurant and has her assistant take pictures of the food to post to Colette’s social media. Colette reveals that she sent the gifts to their hotel on Carlton’s behalf. Nick and Carlton bond over attending the same boarding school in England. A sommelier enters with a bottle of wine and they toast to families.

Wuthering Towers, Hong Kong. Charlie talks with Astrid, who is upset that she hurt Isabel’s feelings. Astrid says she hopes Isabel knows they are just friends. After their conversation, Charlie goes downstairs to the drink stand near his building. He talks with the lady at the juice cart about the rumor that Bernard Tai has been kidnapped. Back at his office, Charlie writes a long email to Astrid explaining that his marriage is breaking up. He explains how Isabel has manic episodes and she had one while they were dating that left her pregnant and stranded in Maui. Charlie married her and tried to get her help for her illness. Since their second daughter was born, they have lived separate lives. Charlie confesses that he has loved Astrid since they met when she was 15 and that’s why he hasn’t been able to rebuild his marriage. He tells her he values her friendship. Then he deletes the message.

Shanghai, China. Carlton’s mother scolds him for breaking her heart by taking Rachel’s side. She has worked hard to advance their family and this will tarnish their name. Carlton tells his mother Colette is not his girlfriend, though she is in bed with him at the time. Carlton tells Colette his mother has become a different person since his accident. Carlton and Colette gossip about Rachel, calling her a banana—yellow on the outside, white on the inside. Colette suggests she could host a dinner at her house so Rachel and her father can talk.

Shanghai, China. Rachel and Nick have been enjoying Shanghai’s nightlife, thanks to Colette, but Rachel is worried that Carlton seems distracted, and she still hasn’t gotten together with her father. Carlton drives them to Colette’s home in one of the rare, fancy cars he imports and sells. They pass new developments and come to an extensive estate. Carlton mentions that Colette’s father is one of the five richest men in China.

Shanghai, China. Colette’s house is extremely modernist and elegant. Colette gives a tour, saying she wanted her house not to be a tacky display of wealth but “a showplace for the best of contemporary China” (233). She has hand-crafted furniture by prominent designers, museum-quality antiques, and the property is certified green while being arranged to have the best feng shui. There is even a screening room with a sushi bar. Rachel expresses envy at the enormous marble bathroom in Colette’s suite. Colette explains that the area was farmland, but she developed it and has employed the locals to work on the estate, “so it’s been really good for the economy” (237). Colette’s personal assistant, Roxanne, reports on flying Colette’s dogs to visit a dog psychic in California. Colette shows them their art collection and Nick recognizes The Palace of Eighteen Perfections. Someone new arrives, and Colette panics to get things ready for her father.

Singapore. Michael has an important meeting with prospective clients and nags Astrid to change out of the understated dress and jewels she’s wearing. Astrid informs him her bracelet is part of an heirloom suite she’s loaned to a museum. She suspects Michael is nettled because of the gossip columnist’s barb about her cheap-looking jewelry. She changes to a black jumpsuit, low boots, and showy earrings. As they drive to the restaurant, Michael speaks crudely about what Astrid might inherit from her grandmother, and Astrid reminds him she’s very fond of Su Yi. Michael is dashing and well-attired now, but Astrid misses the old Michael, the one she enjoyed being with. He scolds her once more as they approach the restaurant, seeming embarrassed by her.

Shanghai. The arrivals at Colette’s house include her parents and Richie Yang, a fashionable and rich young man who is one of Colette’s boyfriends. Mrs. Bing is an extreme germaphobe, obsessed with her supposed ill health. Jack Bing quizzes Nick, trying to decide how important Nick is socially. Jack comments on how Colette has designed the place for her upcoming fashion show, and Colette insists she did it to please her mother. Richie brags about racing cars and makes fun of Carlton for his crash. Bao Gaoliang arrives, and the Bings welcome him. Colette scolds her father for his peasant-like manners and Jack reminds her that he’s the son of a fisherman. Jack hints that he wants Colette to marry Richie Yang.

Hong Kong. Corinna waits for Kitty outside the doors to Glory Tower and is pleased to see Kitty has taken her advice about appearance. Corinna is taking Kitty to the most exclusive church in Hong Kong, the Stratosphere, which is located at the top of a skyscraper. Corinna introduces her to important people, but Kitty feels nervous and out of her element; “I feel like I don’t have my armor on,” (269) she tells Corinna. Fiona Tung-Cheng is polite to Kitty, but when Eddie arrives, he exposes Kitty as his brother Alistair’s ex-girlfriend. The church goers chide Kitty for hiding Bernard and not letting Carol Tai see her grandchild.

Singapore. Astrid texts Charlie that Michael blames her for a business deal that didn’t go through. Charlie takes her side and assures Astrid she did nothing wrong, but Michael says Astrid’s style is all wrong and doesn’t match the image he is trying to portray. Michael decides they need to buy a new house.

June 2013, Porto Fino Estates, Shanghai. Society columnist Honey Chai live-blogs Colette’s fashion show held at her estate, reporting on all the chic and important attendees and what they are wearing. The blogger is excited about Nick’s arrival but disappointed to learn he’s only a history professor from New York. She notes that Lester and Valerie Liu are distressed at the sight of some old antique scrolls. Richie Yang is escorting Colette. The actress Pan TingTing enters, and Nick explains that she is a Chinese combination of Jennifer Lawrence, Gisele Bündchen, and Beyoncé. Pan TingTing is not excited to be there and knows everyone is scrutinizing and judging her.

The fashion show begins, and Colette becomes agitated as she sees the gowns on display. She stops the show and tells the French designer that “all this dragon and phoenix rubbish and the excessive beading” (287) is pandering to second-generation, rich kids from the Chinese provinces and she wouldn’t let her maids be seen in such garb. These are top designers, Colette tells Rachel, but they are specifically designing clothes to appeal to the Chinese market, and it’s “extremely patronizing” (288). She wants the fashion-forward clothes she will find in London, Paris, or New York. Colette decides to fly to Paris to shop and will bring her family and friends. She also invites Carlton, Rachel, and Nick.

Shanghai to Paris on the Bings’ Private Jet. The Bings’ airplane is an enormous Boeing 747 jumbo jet, which Carlton says “makes Air Force One look like a sardine tin” (293). Rachel is astonished at the elaborate décor inside the plane, which includes a three-story lounge with a koi pond. Colette is upset when the cabin scent isn’t what she selected and says she’s going to make all her employees reread the flight manual.

Singapore. Carmen Loh, a realtor, shows Astrid and Michael around a historical bungalow that has come up for sale. It’s considered a “Good Class Bungalow” and is very expensive. Carmen notices that Michael looks like a completely different man, and he compliments Carmen’s hairstyle. Astrid falls in love with the authentic architectural touches of the house and Michael imagines how impressed people will be with him if he lives here. He says he’ll redo the bottom floor to make a display floor for his cars. They make an offer for $80 million, but Carmen learns her cousin has already sold the house. Michael is furious and shouts at Astrid. Carmen, who is Astrid’s friend, says she doesn’t like how Michael treats Astrid with contempt. Astrid tries to dismiss her friend’s concern, insisting she is happy.

June 16. Rachel notes in her diary her impressions of traveling on Colette’s plane. She describes shopping in Paris and how she doesn’t understand the fascination with brands like Hermès. Rachel refuses to pay 6000 euros for a handbag, yet the girl she is with buys an entire wall of them. Rachel feels overwhelmed by the amount and intensity of the spending. Nick persuades her to buy a dress, and Rachel picks out something that is comfortable, classic, and will last. One of the girls disparages the other Asian shoppers, calling them HENRYs—High Earners, Not Rich Yet. They breakfast at the Luxembourg gardens and Rachel wants a culture break, so she and Nick go to a gallery.

Richie Yang shows up and invites them all to a pretentious restaurant. Rachel can tell that Colette’s grandmother and aunties aren’t impressed with the food. Mrs. Bing asks Rachel for her hotel shampoo and bath gel samples. Rachel sees that the older Chinese women have a hot plate in their room and are making their own ramen. One of the women, earlier that day, bought an antique clock for over four million euros, but walked out of a restaurant when they charged 25 euros for fried rice. Richie invites them to a rooftop party at the Mandarin Oriental hotel.

Paris, France. Nick thinks Richie’s party is very over-the-top. Richie tells Nick the watch he is wearing, his grandfather’s watch, is considered middle-class and brags about his own. Carlton is uneasy at the party and wishes he could escape to England, but he’s staying in Paris because he feels protective of Rachel. Nick sees his friend from college, Mehmet, who brings Astrid with him. Nick is glad to see them. Colette scrutinizes Astrid’s style and is stumped when Astrid says her jewelry is Etruscan—actual Etruscan artifacts from 650 BC—and she bought the dress that day at Zara. Rachel, Nick, Mehmet, and Astrid have dinner together and discuss Colette’s fascination with high fashion and how Rachel has only seen her father once since she’s been in China. Colette sends a panicked text that she can’t find Carlton and begs Rachel for help.

Paris, France. Colette explains that Richie proposed to her, Colette tried to laugh it off, and when Richie grew angry with her for leading him on, Carlton defended Colette. He and Richie fought, and Colette suspects they are going to try to drag race around the city. A high-speed race is how Carlton crashed in London. It’s a new hobby, Colette explains: “All these Chinese kids from rich families are taking part in illegal drag races around the world—Toronto, Hong Kong, Sydney—getting into huge wrecks and damaging millions of dollars in property along the way” (337). Colette tells Rachel she was in Richie’s car when they were driving in London, and the Chinese girl involved in Carlton’s crash was a friend of Colette’s. Astrid asks Charlie to track Carlton’s cell phone and they find him at a garage. Rachel speaks with Carlton. He tells her his parents are fighting because of her. Rachel is shocked and hurt, but she manages to talk Carlton out of the race.