Shiwa, the son of a poor Chinese farmer, is doing well at school. But when his mother dies and his sister leaves the house, he's the only one left to take care of his disabled father.
Niu Er is a peddler who provides for the widow Gan Cao and her mother and son. Gan Cao sews and cooks for Niu Er but is reluctant to get close to him, because she is in love with Ba Dun, a gambler.
