In response to the death of her husband and young son, peasant Zhang Meili founds a school in the dry desert landscape of northwest China. When cultured and chipper Xia Yu arrives from Beijing to help her out, the two women bond and learn from each other's character how to best serve the children. Various subplots include the arrival of Xia's husband, who tries in vain to persuade her to return to the city, Xia's quick abortion, and the comically clandestine relationship between Zhang and a local projectionist.

Cast

Ni Ping

张美丽

Yuan Quan

夏雨

Sun Haiying

王树

Xu Yajun

刘志鹏

Li Wannian

村长

Ge Zhijun

赵面粉

Guo Da

张总