A Sun

In 2013 Taipei, troubled teenager Chen Jian-ho, known as Ho, and his friend Radish approach a young man named Oden at a local restaurant. In a shocking act of violence, Radish cuts off Oden's hand with a machete, forever changing the lives of those involved.

Following the attack, Ho is sentenced to juvenile detention while Radish receives a harsher punishment. Ho’s father, Wen, disowns him as he attempts to distance himself from the crime, leaving Ho's mother, Qin, to take on the burden of supporting her son during his imprisonment.

While Ho is incarcerated, his father Wen turns his attention towards his older son Hao, who is studying at a cram school in hopes of entering medical school. This favoritism strains the family dynamics and leaves Ho feeling abandoned.

Fifteen-year-old Wang Ming-yu, known as Yu, and her guardian Yin meet Qin, revealing that she is pregnant with Ho's child. This shocking news is kept secret from Ho during his time in juvenile detention, adding layers of complexity to his return home.

After learning about his mother's secrecy regarding Yu's pregnancy, Ho's anger culminates in a tragic turn when his older brother, Hao, committed suicide by jumping from their apartment balcony. This devastating loss impacts the entire family, particularly their mother, Qin.

In the aftermath of the family tragedy, Ho marries Wang Ming-yu, however, he remains estranged from his father Wen upon his release from juvenile detention a year and a half later. Ho struggles to support his new family by working at a car wash, trying to forge a new path.

One night while out for cigarettes, Wen encounters Ho at a convenience store where Ho had taken a night shift. They engage in a brief conversation about their lost son Hao, which hints at the possibility of reconciling their strained relationship.

Three years later, Radish, who has recently been released from detention, approaches Ho for money. Despite their past, Ho refuses Radish’s demand, but the pressure escalates when Radish coerces him into actions he is uncomfortable with.

Radish persuades Ho to borrow a client's car and go for a late-night drive. They stop on a dark highway where Radish instructs Ho to enter a nearby forest to deliver a mysterious package, promising a substantial amount of money in return.

After delivering the package, Ho is kidnapped by a group of thugs who demand payment for Radish's unaccounted debts, now that he has been found dead. They beat him but eventually hand him a large sum of money and release him, leaving Ho terrified and uncertain.

Atop Qixing Mountain, a distraught Wen confides in Qin that he has been following Ho since his release. He reveals that he killed Radish in an attempt to protect Ho from the dangerous path Radish had led him on, further complicating family ties.

In a poignant moment, Ho and his mother Qin bond over a stack of old notebooks that Wen had given Hao during his studies, each one untouched and reflecting missed opportunities. This moment symbolizes Ho's struggle to navigate the legacy of family expectations.

In a nostalgic attempt to reconnect with his mother and find solace, Ho steals a bicycle and takes Qin for a ride through a local park. Amidst the surrounding scenery, Qin's ambivalence towards their past and their current situation is palpable as they share this fleeting moment of joy.