Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry. Addicted to gambling, Fugui loses everything. In the years that follow he is pressed into both the nationalist and communist armies, while Jiazhen is forced into menial work.

A young man recalls his childhood growing up in a poor alley in Beijing during the 1950s and 1960s.

A young girl come to work at Kunlun Mountain after graduation and decide to overcome all difficulties with the help of a passionate and sturdy lady and her encouraging story.