How did an- mei know her father?

An-Mei knew her father through stories told by her mother and her own memories. Her father was a wealthy man, a Chinese merchant, but An-Mei had little direct interaction with him due to cultural and familial circumstances. She learned about him largely from the perspective of her mother, who had a complicated relationship with him. Ultimately, An-Mei's understanding of her father was shaped by the struggles and sacrifices of her mother and the societal norms of their time.