Li decided to set the story in her native Lukang. Through it, she could show the conservatism of a traditional small town and the shackles put on communication by hypocritical morality. She could also use strange local customs to add color and create a deeper portrait of the smothered life of a victim of domestic violence.
李昂決定讓故事發生在自己的故鄉鹿港，並對傳統小鎮保守且偽善的口舌桎梏多所發揮，加上鹿港民俗活動的詭譎色彩，更加深了家暴女性隱忍苟活的緊繃氣氛。