Chinese director Jia Zhang-ke tells the story of a failed romance that unfolds over 20 years, with an evolving China in the background. But the focus is on Qiao, a singer and dancer who gets involved with a dubious music producer, Bin, who leaves her to try his luck in another city, promising to send for her when he has money. Qiao, waiting, writes to him and, receiving no reply, decides to go searching for Bin. The adventure is not without its perils.