The story follows a young man as he changes from an intelligently aware youth, to a teenager with much less confidence than he once had, and finally, to a stable adult.
Ti Hung's parents die when she is twelve. When she is sixteen, she determines to change her fate, swearing to rise from her poverty. She becomes famous for her embroidery and eventually marries into a rich family, but tragedy ensues.
A brothel disguised as a teahouse is staffed with old ladies long past their prime. However, things begin to change and become chaotic when the owner takes in a young girl.
