 The film is set in Shanghai and begins in the 1930s during the period of the Mukden Incident (1931–37) when the Japanese were occupying Manchuria.It is about a couple, Sufen (Bai Yang), a poor but honest young girl who works in a textile factory, and Zhang Zhongliang (Tao Jin), a teacher who gives evening classes to the factory workers.On National Day (October 10) the workers put on a show at the factory for their fellow workers, with Zhongliang acting as host.