Quote 13
"From the beginning, I was always scared that Tyan-yu would someday climb on top of me and do his business." (I.3.61)
Lindo has no desire for sex with Tyan-yu. She actually fears having sex with him, probably because, as a Chinese wife, she knows that if he did want to "do his business," she’d have no way or right to stop him.
Quote 14
That’s when I could see what was underneath Tyan-yu. He was scared and turned his face. He had no desire for me, but it was his fear that made me think he had no desire for any woman. He was like a little boy who had never grown up. (I.3.67)
Lindo hypothesizes that Tyan-yu is asexual, essentially still in a child-like state. Interestingly enough, this revelation that Tyan-yu is like a scared little boy means that Lindo doesn’t have to fear him and his power over her sexuality, allowing her to learn to love him.
Quote 15
Because I was promised to the Huangs’ son for marriage, my own family began treating me as if I belonged to somebody else. My mother would say to me when the rice bowl went up to my face too many times, "Look how much Huang Taitai’s daughter can eat." (I.3.12)
According to tradition, women belong to their husbands’ family.