The mother is basically every Asian mother, very typical. Actually the most unrealistic part of Ming is that she actually apologized to Mei in the end. Chinese parents don't apologize to their kids, they just say well it was for your own good you should appreciate how much we care, how ungrateful you are for not appreciating what we do for you. Actually I've read reviews from China where people are complaining that the mother is unrealistic for being too understanding and supportive.