In a small Chinese city during the post-war period, the life of a man obsessed with the search for happiness intertwines with that of two women who will shape his destiny. Wang is a young artist marked by melancholy and the quest for his place in the world. Upon returning from the war, he feels trapped by expectations and the memories of a traumatic past. Everything changes when he meets a charming and enigmatic woman who awakens in him a spark of hope and a desire to love again.
However, their romance becomes complicated by the presence of his wife, who represents the weight of responsibilities and the struggle to maintain a home amidst the social chaos prevailing in the city. The vibrant life of the mistress contrasts with the routines of married life, creating dramatic tension that resonates in every scene.
As the city resigns itself to its fate, the man grapples with duty and desire, facing heart-wrenching decisions that reflect not only his internal struggle but also the profound changes that Chinese society is undergoing at the time. As the bonds tighten, the film explores the beauty and sadness of love in a context of hopelessness, leaving the viewer reflecting on the nature of human connections and the cost of happiness. With poetic cinematography and a moving narrative, the story becomes a meditation on what it means to find light in darkness.