Mao Xiaobing, a water bottle delivery boy in Beijing, has a passion for movies that seems to define much of his life. However, his routine takes a drastic turn when he is unexpectedly attacked by Ling-Ling (Qi Zhongyang) while riding his bike, leading to his hospitalization. Following the incident, Ling-Ling is arrested but remains cryptic, only requesting that Mao feed her fish. Upon stepping into her apartment, Mao discovers that Ling-Ling has created an entire shrine dedicated to the vintage film star, Zhou Xuan.
As Mao reads through Ling-Ling’s diary, the narrative transports us back in time to the life of her mother in Ningxia. Her mother, a radio worker, faced abandonment by her lover after becoming pregnant, branding her as a counter-revolutionary. With nowhere to turn, she relocates to the countryside and finds solace in Pan, a movie projectionist, with whom she eventually marries. During this time, Ling-Ling grows up with the belief that her biological father was a star from Zhou Xuan's era.
An unexpected turn of fate hits Mao Xiaobing too, as he recalls the abusive behavior from his own father, who sent him away to live with relatives after he caused trouble. The narrative takes a poignant turn as Ling-Ling, who had a rocky relationship with her younger brother, Bing-Bing, initially finds him to be a source of disgust. Despite her initial rejection, Ling-Ling gradually accepts her brother, yet their bond is tragically cut short.
The revelation of a traumatic event that resulted in Ling-Ling's deafness finds its roots in a fateful day when she and Bing-Bing tried to escape their confining home. Bing-Bing lied about needing Ling-Ling to come outside, which leads to a devastating accident that changes her life forever. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Ling-Ling runs away from her home, struggling to navigate life in a city filled with memories of her family.
As fate would have it, Mao Xiaobing learns that Ling-Ling's parents have moved closer to him. Driven by a series of haunting memories, he unintentionally knocks over bricks, leading to the tragic death of the puppy that Ling-Ling had named after her lost brother. This incident reawakens her painful memories, inciting her violent attack on him.
In a heartfelt reunion, Mao Xiaobing sets out to visit Ling-Ling in the mental institution and brings with him a piece of her past—a film strip that reignites her connection to her family. Their shared experiences come full circle when she finally watches a movie on the same screen that once defined her childhood, surrounded by her parents once again. This emotional journey of love, loss, and redemption culminates in a poignant reminder of the power of memory and the bonds of family.
