Thank you:
Sandra Dijkstra, my agent, for your discovery.
Joan Chen, my comrade-in-arms, for your inspiration.
Xian-Ming Yuan, for your enlightenment since Shanghai 51st Middle School.
Michele Dremmer, for your affection.
Diana and Richard K. M. Eu, my aunt and uncle; Mr. S. G. Lee of the Singapore Lee Foundation; and Harris Meyer and Deborah Mihm, for your sincere support.
Michele Smith, for helping me with my English since I arrived in the United States.
Vincent Yip, my brother-in-law, for being my “walking dictionary.”
Yan-Fang Jiang and Ci-Feng Zhang, my parents-in-law, for baby-sitting Lauryan.
Julie Grau, for your energy and for your faith in the book.
Dan Frank, my editor, thank you.