Kevin Kwan - Crazy Rich Asians

In your inimitable and wonderful ways, you have each been instrumental in helping me bring this book to life. I am forever grateful to:

Deb Aaronson

Carol Brewer

Linda Casto

Deborah Davis

David Elliott

John Fontana

Simone Gers

Aaron Goldberg

Lara Harris Philip

Hu Jenny Jackson

Jennifer Jenkins

Michael Korda

Mary Kwan Jack

Lee Joanne Lim

Alexandra

Machinist Pia

Massie Robin

Mina David

Sangalli Lief Anne

Stiles Rosemary

Yeap Jackie

Zirkman

A Note About the Author

Kevin Kwan was born and raised in Singapore. He currently lives in Manhattan. Crazy Rich
Asians is his first novel.

Visit: www.kevinkwanbooks.com

For more information, please visit www.doubleday.com

Nicholas Young and Rachel Chu

NEW YORK, 2010

You sure about this? Rachel asked again, blowing softly on the surface of her steaming cup of tea. They were sitting at their usual window table at Tea & Sympathy, and Nick had just invited her to spend the summer with him in Asia.

Rachel, Id love it if you came, Nick reassured her. You werent planning on teaching this summer, so whats your worry? Think you wont be able to handle the heat and humidity?

No, thats not it. I know youre going to be so busy with all your best-man duties, and I wouldnt want to distract you, Rachel said.

What distraction? Colins wedding is only going to take up the first week in Singapore, and then we can spend the rest of the summer just bumming around Asia. Come on, let me show you where I grew up. I want to take you to all my favorite haunts.

Will you show me the sacred cave where you lost your virginity? Rachel teased, arching an eyebrow playfully.

Definitely! We can even stage a reenactment! Nick laughed, slathering jam and clotted cream onto a scone still warm from the oven. And doesnt a good friend of yours live in Singapore?

Yes, Peik Lin, my best friend from college, Rachel said. Shes been trying to get me to come visit for years.

All the more reason. Rachel, youre going to love it, and I just know youre going to flip out over the food! You do realize Singapore is the most food-obsessed country on the planet?

Well, just watching the way you fawn over everything you eat, I figured its pretty much the national sport.

Remember Calvin Trillins New Yorker piece on Singapore street foods? Ill take you to all the local dives even he doesnt know about. Nick took another bite of his fluffy scone and continued with his mouth full. I know how much you love these scones. Just wait till you taste my Ah Mas

Your Ah Ma bakes scones? Rachel tried to imagine a traditional Chinese grandmother preparing this quintessentially English confection.

Well, she doesnt exactly bake them herself, but she has the best scones in the worldyoull see, Nick said, turning around reflexively to make sure no one in the cozy little spot had overheard him. He didnt want to become persona non grata at his favorite caf for carelessly pledging allegiance to another scone, even if it was his grandmothers.

At a neighboring table, the girl huddled behind a three-tiered stand piled high with finger sandwiches was getting increasingly excited by the conversation she was overhearing. She suspected it might be him, but now she had absolute confirmation. It was Nicholas Young. Even though she was only fifteen at the time, Celine Lim never forgot the day Nicholas strolled past their table at Pulau Club and flashed that devastating grin of his at her sister Charlotte.

Is that one of the Leong brothers? their mother had asked.

No, thats Nicholas Young, a cousin of the Leongs, Charlotte replied.

Philip Youngs boy? Aiyah, when did he shoot up like that? Hes so handsome now! Mrs. Lim exclaimed.

Hes just back from Oxford. Double-majored in history and law, Charlotte added, anticipating her mothers next question.

Why didnt you get up and talk to him? Mrs. Lim said excitedly.

Why should I bother, when you swat away every guy who dares come near, Charlotte answered curtly.

Alamak, stupid girl! Im only trying to protect you from fortune hunters. This one youd be lucky to have. This one you can cheong!

Celine couldnt believe her mother was actually encouraging her big sister to snatch this boy. She stared curiously at Nicholas, now laughing animatedly with his friends at a table under a blue-and-white umbrella by the pool. Even from afar, he stood out in high relief. Unlike the other fellows with their regulation Indian barbershop haircuts, Nicholas had perfectly tousled black hair, chiseled Cantonese pop-idol features, and impossibly thick eyelashes. He was the cutest, dreamiest guy shed ever seen.

Charlotte, why dont you go over and invite him to your fund-raiser on Saturday? their mother kept on.

Stop it, Mum. Charlotte smiled through gritted teeth. I know what Im doing.

As it turned out, Charlotte did not know what she was doing, since Nicholas never showed up at her fund-raiser, much to their mothers eternal disappointment. But that afternoon at Pulau Club left such an indelible mark on Celines adolescent memory that six years later and on the other side of the planet, she still recognized him.

Hannah, let me get a picture of you with that delicious sticky toffee pudding, Celine said, taking out her camera phone. She pointed it in the direction of her friend, but surreptitiously trained the lens on Nicholas. She snapped the photo and immediately e-mailed it to her sister, who now lived in Atherton, California. Her phone pinged minutes later.

BigSis: OMFG! THATS NICK YOUNG! WHERE ARE U?

Celine Lim: T&S.

BigSis: Whos the girl hes with?

Celine Lim: GF, I think. Looks ABC.

BigSis: Hmm do you see a ring?

Celine Lim: No ring.

BigSis: PLS spy for me!!!

Celine Lim: You owe me big-time!!!

Nick gazed out the caf window, marveling at the people with tiny dogs parading along this stretch of Greenwich Avenue as if it were a catwalk for the citys most fashionable breeds. A year ago, French bulldogs were all the rage, but now it looked like Italian grey hounds were giving the Frenchies a run for their money. He faced Rachel again, resuming his campaign. The great thing about starting out in Singapore is that its the perfect base. Malaysia is just across a bridge, and its a quick hop to Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand. We can even go island-hopping off Indonesia

It all sounds amazing, but ten weeks I dont know if I want to be away that long, Rachel mused. She could sense Nicks eagerness, and the idea of visiting Asia again filled her with excitement. She had spent a year teaching in Chengdu between college and grad school but couldnt afford to travel anywhere beyond Chinas borders back then. As an economist, she certainly knew enough about Singaporethis tiny, intriguing island at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, which had transformed within a few short decades from a British colonial backwater into the country with the worlds highest concentration of millionaires. It would be fascinating to see the place up close, especially with Nick as her guide.

Yet something about this trip made Rachel a little apprehensive, and she couldnt help but ponder the deeper implications. Nick made it seem so spontaneous, but knowing him, she was sure he had put far more thought into it than he let on. They had been together for almost two years, and now he was inviting her on an extended trip to visit his hometown, to attend his best friends wedding, no less. Did this mean what she thought it did?