Beijing is the place where dreams come true or at least that’s what a group of young and ambitious people from different parts are hoping for. Romance could be in their future but also heartbreak as well, leading them to question just where they stand in such a city. Will they find the career and partner of their dreams or have to make a choice between one of the other?
리설련은 말 못할 이유로 남편과 합의 하에 위장 이혼을 한다. 하지만 예상치도 못한 남편의 배신으로 진짜 이혼을 하고야 만다. 남편을 원망하던 그녀는 이혼 무효를 호소하며 현과 시, 법원 등을 찾아가지만 그들의 무책임에 분개하게 될 뿐이다. 그 후 10년간 리설련은 베이징의 전국 인민대회 때마다 국가원수에게 자신의 억울함을 호소해왔다. 그녀의 줄기찬 이의 제기에는 부패하고 부도덕한 중국의 관료주의를 향한 풍자와 비틀기가 있다. 또한 여성을 향한 가부장적 시선, 이를테면 리설련을 두고 남편을 배신한 음란한 여자라며 반금련이라고 부르는 일 등의 허상을 짚는다.
The pretty girl Lotus, who lives in the Wuyi mountains in the south of China, lost her husband just after their marriage. This causes several difficulties for the newly-widowed Lotus; the sadness of losing her husband, the misunderstanding from her father-in-law, and their dispute in dividing the family properties. Lotus has to deal with this all by herself and support the family. Her softness and virtuousness wins the love of a bus driver who is kind and honest, and of a quarry manager who is powerful and rich. This forces Lotus to make a decision.
A young and ambitious lawyer who has just graduated starts his own office and is ready to conquer the world. One night a female taxi-driver comes into his offic, tells him she has been raped and wants him to track down the rapist. He is not just excited about his first 'case', he also becomes intrigued by the woman who describes the details of her rape. Looking for the culprit, he hears the same thing everywhere: 'I have seen him, he just left'. In the meantime, the lawyer regularly visits the barber's shop over the road where he feels attracted to the fresh natural beauty of the hairdresser. Then one evening he is invited round to the taxi driver's home and sees for the first time her 'true' face...
