The novel begins with a quote from the 14th-century Moroccan scholar Ibn Battuta: Nowhere in the world are there to be found people richer than the Chinese. — Ibn Battuta The book is told from the perspective of five main characters: Rachel Chu, Nicholas (Nick) Young, Eleanor Young, Astrid Leong, and Edison Cheng. The story revolves around the grand wedding of Singapore's most eligible bachelor, Colin Khoo, and a fashion icon, Araminta Lee, which everyone calls the wedding of the year.