This film, adapted from the novel of the same title by noted Chinese writer of the 1930s Shen Congwen, relates a love tragedy that takes place early this century.
On a river near Chatong, a small town in the mountainous region of West Hunan, is a ferry run by a 70-year-old boatman and his granddaughter, Cuicui. Young and pretty, the girl looks like her mother who dies, unhappily, anunwed mother. Worried that the girl may face the same fate, the lid boatman shows great concern for her marriage.
Ship owner Shunshun's two sons, Dalao and Eelao, both fall in love with Cuicui. They agree to let Cuicui decide their fate. Dalao, unsuccessful in his attempt to secure Cuiui's love, goes on a boat trip to East.
Sichuan and drowns when the ship overturns. Forced by his father to marry another girl, Erlao leaves home.
Worried to the point of exhaustion, the old boatman dies on a stormy night, leaving Cuicui alone on the ferry…