Lindo found out that "it was his fear that made Lindo think he had no desire for any woman. He was like a little boy that had never grown up". (58) Lindo totally changed her view of Tyan-yu from once being terrified of him, to feeling as if she was playing the role of an older sibling.
Another important male model that fits with the description of a weak or cruel man was Marvin Chen, Waverly's first husband. He appeared to possess both weak and cruel qualities. Marvin and Waverly loved one another like married people should, but it wasn't until Waverly's eyes were opened that she realized just how weak of a man Marvin really was. "He chased golf and tennis balls to run away from family responsibilities. His eye wandered up and down other girl's legs, so he didn't know how to drive straight home anymore."(192) Waverly has finally seen the man she had married and become conscious that her marriage was over. Marvin was not a cruel man for what he had done to Waverly, but weak because he couldn't take the responsibilities and avoid temptations in his own life. .
In the Hsu family, Rose Hsu Jordan was the first of the women to have a man that was simultaneously weak and cruel. Rose fell deeply in love with Ted, largely because he was so different than the Chinese boys she knew. After dating, they decided to marry before Ted started medical school. What she had originally liked about him was that he would rescue her and had made all the decisions. From the beginning of their marriage, Ted insisted upon controlling things and Rose was helpless to do anything about it. When Ted "lost the malpractice lawsuit" (126) everything had changed. Ted began to go to her for advice and to make all the decisions which she could not do all the time. They began to fight and Ted would say things like, " How the hell did we ever get married? Did you just say "I do" because the minister said "repeat after me"? What would you have done with your life if I had never married you?" (127) After Ted had said this was his transition from a frail man to a malicious man.