Montages of a Modern Motherhood

Jing gives birth to her infant daughter Ching after six years of longing. The arrival is a mix of relief and fatigue as she and Wai begin their new parenting chapter. The moment marks the start of a demanding balancing act between work, childcare, and their relationship.

After maternity leave, Jing returns to the bakery where she works as a pastry chef. Her mother-in-law helps care for Ching during the day, smoothing the transition but foreshadowing potential tensions. The routine exposes Jing to the pressures of being a working mother again.

Jing discovers her mother-in-law has bathed Ching with a charm paper water, claiming it will improve health. She also learns that Ching has been fed powdered milk instead of Jing's milk, citing Jing's milk as inadequate. This revelation fuels a confrontation about who should be caring for Ching.

Jing and her mother-in-law clash as they insist on different approaches to Ching's care. The mother-in-law argues Jing should manage the baby herself, while Jing asserts her autonomy and the need for support. The argument underscores the widening rift in the family dynamics.

Ching cries through the night, demanding attention. Wai remains largely absent, claiming sleep deprivation and work responsibilities, leaving Jing to cope alone. The imbalance intensifies Jing's exhaustion and frustration.

Jing's inability to rest begins to show at the bakery as she makes mistakes. Her boss grows dissatisfied, sensing a decline in performance. The stress forces Jing to rethink her options about balancing motherhood and her career.

Desperate for daytime help, Jing starts looking for a nanny and eventually meets Fanny, a retired woman whose family has migrated overseas. Fanny's presence offers temporary relief and a glimmer of stability for Ching and Jing. The arrangement also hints at the looming challenge of Fanny's impending departure.

During this period, Jing is diagnosed with mastitis and needs medication. Wai steps in to look after Ching, providing some relief for Jing. The illness becomes a pivotal moment that intensifies Jing's longing for financial independence.

Jing loses her job when her boss chooses to support a male colleague who is also a new father. The manager believes the male coworker has greater obligations, which margins Jing out. The layoff at this moment pushes Jing toward reevaluating her career and independence.

Wai comforts Jing and promises shared support, but he also urges her to consider staying home to raise Ching. Jing insists on continuing work and maintaining financial independence, highlighting the clash between traditional expectations and her ambitions. The disagreement hardens the couple's dynamic.

Fanny informs Jing she will migrate to Canada at the end of the month, forcing Jing to find another daytime caregiver. The price of formula milk climbs again, adding financial pressure. Jing's search for employment becomes more urgent as defaults and costs mount.

Wai hosts a gathering for friends to meet their newborn, but Ching soils her diaper and Jing is left to handle it alone while Wai drinks. The scene underscores the strain on Jing and the uneven distribution of parenting duties. It reinforces Jing's sense that her autonomy and equal partnership are at stake.

Wai reveals he is moving to a new company with better pay and discusses plans to have another child. He also promises to help Jing open her dream bakery once their children are older. Jing is hesitant, torn between dependence on Wai's plan and her own aspirations.

In the closing moment, Jing takes Ching to a riverside near their home. She imagines her daughter growing up and graduating from university, recalling her own hopes for Ching's health and happiness. The scene frames the film as a meditation on motherhood, resilience, and future possibilities.