In 1949, Shanghai after liberation. Many intellectuals entered the East China People's Revolutionary University and were reformed in this revolutionary melting pot.

In 1949, as Shanghai faced liberation, prices soared, and people struggled. Students worried about tuition waivers. At a middle school, corrupt influences led to unfair waivers, angering students like Jiang Dacheng, who was expelled after being reported by Wu Guangen. Guided by Yang Ming, an underground party worker, Jiang Dacheng joined the revolution. He and classmates Lü Xiaoke, Chen Yuzhen, and He Guisheng formed the underground Young Pioneers, transforming the confiscated *New Youth Newspaper* into a wall newspaper to spread revolutionary ideas. They secretly listened to Xinhua News, printed leaflets about the People’s Liberation Army’s victory, and distributed them, causing panic among spies Wu Inspector and Principal Zhu. Teacher Yang Ming protected the children, but his actions drew suspicion. Jiang Dacheng learned of Yang Ming’s arrest plan and helped him escape. They celebrated Shanghai’s liberation, and Jiang Dacheng vowed to follow the Communist Party forever.

Chen Shaochang (Shi Hui), a primary school principal widowed at a young age, raises his children alone. His close friend's daughter, Liu Minhua (Zhu Jiachen), whom he hasn't seen for many years, begins working at the primary school through his introduction. Chen Shaochang's son, Jianzhong (Han Fei), and daughter-in-law, Feng Lijun (Li Huanqing), consider Chen's job undignified. After retiring, he is filled with melancholy, understood only by Minhua. Although their relationship deepens, they must contend with the ethical and social norms of Republican-era Shanghai.