A sixty-something woman (Gaowa) adjusts to life alone in modern-day Shanghai after spending most of her years in rural Manchuria. She eventually falls in love with and is swindled by an amateur opera singer (Chow) who steals her life savings. Amidst this struggle, the woman must also contend with her resentful daughter, who forces her to take responsibility for her past actions. Director Hui joyfully reunites with international star Chow, who propelled her early films The Story of Woo Viet and Love in a Fallen City to worldwide acclaim.