Stories Beneath the Old Pagoda Tree

This is a traditional contemporary novel, a true story about six friends growing up in a poor mountain village in the 1970s.

They struggle with the realities of life. Their families' different circumstances shape their personalities and lead them down different paths...

Liu Maomao, who comes from a poor family, takes center stage, with Ruru, Gaogao, and his own younger sister in supporting roles as the novel explores their lives in that era.

Liu Maomao is a bright child, but his parents are disabled, leaving him hungry and desperate for food. He gradually develops a habit of stealing, but tries his hardest to break it and studies diligently, hoping to change his fate through education. Things do not go as he wishes: his father's left leg grows steadily worse, putting his life in danger. Unable to afford treatment, Liu Maomao turns to stealing again and loses the chance to continue his studies...

Sansheng has been a musical prodigy since childhood, but seems to have lost all memory of mathematics. When their teacher discovers this, they throw themselves into helping Sansheng recover those memories. In the backward countryside, the teacher's efforts are seen as a sign of madness, and some even accuse them of trying to scam people for money. The teacher is reported to the commune and the education authorities, and ends up being disciplined. Gaogao's family is relatively well off, and through hard work, Gaogao gets into university.

After Ruru's father divorces, the family falls apart. Ruru loses the will to attend school and drifts into society...

Liu Maomao becomes the village chief.