Xiatian returns to her hometown to work in order to take care of her father who suffers from Alzheimer’s. She has hoped to bring comfort to her parents, yet all she can do is wait.

Gu Qing bid farewell to the past and runs a tailor shop in a small southern city. She has a not-so-loving lover and a repetitive daily life. Her niece, Sun Yue, who she had only met when she was a child, comes to live with her and learn tailoring craftsmanship.

Inspired by real-life figures such as Mao Yongkuan, former Party Branch Secretary of Weiyuan Brigade in Youyu County, Deep Affection tells the moving story of generations of grassroots Party members and local officials who led the people of Youyu in their decades-long effort to plant trees and transform barren land into green hills. Through a renewed cinematic lens, the film portrays the enduring “Youyu Spirit” — a testament to perseverance, dedication, and collective strength. By illuminating the lives of ordinary yet steadfast individuals, Deep Affection reveals the profound sense of responsibility, mission, and human warmth that define China’s grassroots leadership.