In an alley in Shanghai in 1937, Ah Ruan was a female apprentice in a tailor shop wearing a plain cheongsam. Her fingertips were stained with the glutinous fragrance of starch. When she raised her head, she could see Shen Yan from the watch shop opposite. He was wearing a crisp suit, and his lenses glowed coldly when he repaired his watch. He was the most "ungrounded" gentleman in the alley.
She secretly saved three months' wages and wanted to repair the old pocket watch left by her deceased mother. However, she saw him being intercepted by men in black at the door of the clock store. The pocket watch fell to the ground and the glass shattered into stars.
Later, gunfire broke out in Shanghai, and she fled with her master. She saw him again at the pier - this time he was wearing a military uniform, with blood on his sleeves. He gave her the parts of his pocket watch: "When peace comes, I'll fix it for you."
They met again ten years later, when the alley walls were covered with dust and she became the proprietress of a clothing store, while he stood at the door and handed over a new pocket watch with "Ah Ruan" engraved on the cover.
The old days are like stitches, sewing them into the same period of time.
Intent: In the years of war, the affection and perseverance of little people