After school, Xinhua Primary School was quiet until Principal Lin Zheng heard arguing between fifth-graders Hua Xiaochuan and Fang Mingzhu. Fang was supervising Hua, who was late, as he did chores. Hua’s friend Zhang Chen wanted to help, but Fang refused, causing an argument. Principal Lin believed labour as punishment was ineffective and should be replaced with work-study programs, as instructed by the municipal party committee. He assigned Hong Dawei to lead the program, but Teacher Jiang opposed it, emphasising classroom education. Despite initial resistance, students participated in tire-moving labour, training teachers, parents, and students. Three students took sick leave, fueling Teacher Jiang’s objections. Principal Lin and the academic director found some parents were overly indulgent. Secretary Liu commended their efforts and encouraged them to continue.

An army officer has a chance encounter with a young soldier, the son of an old comrade in arms. The soldier tells the officer he has a sister who is also in the army. When the young soldier is killed in action, the officer visits her to pay his respects, and recognizes her as his own child, given up for adoption 18 years earlier. This presents him with a dilemma, wanting to reconnect with the only child he ever had, yet reluctant to tell her the truth about her parentage ...

Political intrigue by the Nationalists among the Jingpo people after the liberation of China.

In autumn 1948, during the Huaihai Campaign, Xie Yanfei, a reconnaissance chief, infiltrated Hekou City with driver Xiao Wang, using Lou A’mei as cover. Discovering the local Party organization was compromised, he sought his childhood sweetheart, Xia Cailian, who had joined the enemy’s service corps. They met secretly at Lou A’mei’s, but the enemy grew suspicious. After a firefight, Xie was wounded, and Xiao sacrificed himself. Xie escaped into a lake and was rescued by Xia Cailian, who recognized him as her former lover. Despite their past, Xie maintained secrecy and left without revealing their identities.