"If she didn't care about me and had not talked with me to enlighten me, I would have destroyed my life once again," Chen said.

Chen hopes to leave the detention house as soon as possible so that she can continue postgraduate studies in economics. She hopes to work as a stockbroker.

Gao Guifen, 62, from Liaoning province, was detained beginning in November. She organized prostitution in her hair salon. Her husband, also in his 60s, is being held elsewhere.

Gao said she thought about suicide when she arrived at the center.

"I bear a heavy burden in my heart," Gao said. "I miss my two sons in my hometown, and worry about my husband's health. I feel so shameful to my family and relatives for what I have done."

"I also feel very angry, I invested 100,000 yuan in the hair salon, which lasted only one and a half months. I came to Beijing to make money, but not only did I use up all my life savings, but I also got myself into an illegal business," she said, crying.

Gao, who said she suffers from lung disease, said Han cares about her health.

"She sent me thick clothes in winter, fearing that I might catch cold and always communicates with me to relieve my psychological pressures," Gao said.

Gao quoted Han as saying: "At your age, the most important thing is to have good health. Please eat more and sleep well, or you will put additional pressure on your sons in Liaoning."

Gao said with Han's encouragement, she is once again dreaming about resuming a normal life.

"Although I have broken the law, I am aware of my error, and accept the sanctions," she said. "I hope for a reunion with my family as soon as possible."

In March, Gao was convicted of organizing prostitution and sentenced to five years in prison by the Changping district court. Her husband received the same sentence.

In May they will be sent to prisons in Liaoning to serve their terms.