The story takes place in a small town in China in the 1980s where traditional values are strong, and the baby-parenting phenomenon still exists. The female protagonist Huang Jingyi has been engaged to the male protagonist Zhao Da since she was a child. The two have never met. Huang Jingyi returned home in the second grade of junior high school to prepare for marriage. Zhao Da passed the university through his own struggle. Zhao Da's father insisted that Zhao Da recognize his relative. Zhao Da had a favorite girl in high school, but Zhao Da couldn't resist his father and went to recognize the marriage. Gradually, the two of them had a good relationship. In the end, the two came together, but the good times did not last long. Zhao Da accidentally coughed up blood and felt very uncomfortable later. He was accidentally diagnosed with cancer. The doctor said that the medical expenses might be 500,000 to 600,000 yuan, and it may not be cured. In desperation, he secretly ran away from home alone and took a hitchhike all the way west, preparing to find a place to settle down. On his way westward, Zhao Da met Huang Da, an old Chinese medicine doctor. After careful treatment by the old man, he finally miraculously improved and it was ten years before he returned home. Zhao Da's departure without saying goodbye was a heavy blow to the family and deeply hurt Huang Jingyi, but Huang Jingyi was not discouraged and shouldered the burden of the family, helping her third brother to get married, her sister to get married, her fourth brother to study, and supporting two elderly people. When Zhao Da returned home, the family was pleasantly surprised and lived a peaceful life from then on.
Purpose: The author pursues a life of beauty and love