Shust and his friends commit small-time scams for a living, taking advantage of any opportunity that comes their way. Meeting Ulyanov, the former Soviet Union shot put champion, and his daughter opens Shust's eyes to a completely different way of living. But under his gang's pressure, he uses Ulyanov to plan a heist on a Buryat jade-trading commune.

11-year-old Vadim is withdrawn and lonely, his parents are getting divorced. Mom leaves Vadim with his grandfather on Lake Baikal for the whole summer. On the shore of the lake, Vadim gets acquainted with an unusual animal — the Baikal seal. The seal will help the boy find friends and save his parents' marriage.