Red Dust

In the early 1940s, Shao-Hua is punished by her father for falling in love and is locked away in the family attic. She survives a suicide attempt and begins to pour her emotions into writing, setting the stage for a semi-autobiographical novel.

After her father's death, Shao-Hua grows into a modestly famous novelist and continues laboring on her semi-autobiographical work. She builds her voice under the pressures of occupation and personal loss.

Shao-Hua receives a letter from Chang Neng-Tsai, a cultural official working for the Japanese, who admires her writing. Despite learning of his background, she finds herself drawn to him.

Chang bears no blood debt but routinely dodges assassination attempts by nationalists and secretly helps them relocate. He lives a perilous existence while maintaining his relationship with Shao-Hua.

Shao-Hua's childhood friend Yueh-Feng comes to stay, troubled by her own revolutionary associations. The three spend a brief period together, sharing shelter and stories.

During a day trip, the trio witnesses the brutality of Japanese soldiers against Chinese civilians at a checkpoint. The moment is shocking and unfurls the brutality of the occupiers.

Chang's travel papers spare them, but his exposed identity as a collaborator sparks suspicion among Yueh-Feng. She sees him as a traitor, triggering a bitter falling-out.

After Japan's surrender, the Nationalist government begins rounding up traitors. Neng-Tsai flees to a rural village and hides as the partner of a local widow.

Shao-Hua eventually locates Neng-Tsai, but seeing him living with another woman devastates her. Heartbroken, she returns to stay with Yueh-Feng.

Neighbors inform on them and thugs raid Shao-Hua and Yueh-Feng's home. Yueh-Feng protects Shao-Hua during the raid and is injured in the process.

Yu, a neighbor who has long harbored feelings for Shao-Hua, steps in to care for her. He provides stability as the political ground shifts around them.

Yueh-Feng and her revolutionary boyfriend are killed during an anti-government protest, leaving Shao-Hua to endure with Yu's support. The loss marks a turning point in her resilience.

On the eve of the Communist victory, Yu trades his gold for two tickets on the last boat to Taiwan, hoping to flee with Shao-Hua. She gives her ticket to Neng-Tsai and watches him sail away, while Yu stays by her side.

Shao-Hua spends her days in quiet obscurity, continuing to write as the decades pass. The world around her shifts with the rise of the People's Republic, but she remains largely withdrawn.

Forty years after their separation, Neng-Tsai returns to the mainland in search of his lost love. He finds a copy of Shao-Hua's completed novel, tying the past to the present.