Director Liu, a powerful figure in the Shipping Bureau, was once on his way back to the city after an inspection tour when he was teased by the daughter of the municipal Party Secretary on the highway. He dared not speak out. His driver, Yang Yang, defied the pressure and subdued the daughter, vindicating Director Liu. Director Liu, therefore, strongly recommended Yang Yang for the position of Party Group Leader. Yang Yang discovered in the previous group leader's record book that Director Liu hadn't paid his Party dues for several months, so he went to collect them. Director Liu suggested that Yang Yang have his dues deducted monthly from the accounting department. Yang Yang reminded him that these were Party dues, not Party taxes, and that if he failed to pay for six months, he would automatically withdraw from the Party. Sister Mei, hearing that Yang Yang was a powerful official in charge of the Director, came to complain.

In 1983 Beijing, Shu Xiaocun bonds with homing pigeons "Marathon" and "Cinderella" through Yunzi, their owner. Enlisting as a signal soldier, he deploys the pigeons to relay orders at a remote outpost. After sacrificing himself to save a comrade, his red-star badge is sent via pigeon to Yunzi—sealing their unspoken camaraderie beyond life and duty.