A Nationalist spy is operating in Dinglong, China, a Communist-held area, after World War II.

In the winter of 1969, along the barren banks of the Yellow River, 30-year-old farmer Zhao Da remained unmarried. On her deathbed, his mother entrusted him to his granduncle Zhao Tiantang. Zhao Da was romantically involved with Gou Dan, a poor girl from a neighboring village whose mother was gravely ill. Out of kindness, Zhao Da sold his sheep to help them. However, militia minister Mi Laichang intervened violently, capturing Gou Dan. Humiliated at a struggle session, Zhao Da defended her and was severely beaten. Gou Dan, in despair, drowned herself in the Yellow River. Following her death, Zhao Da's friend Shuangxi attempted to find him a wife but failed. Zhao Da, in a fit of anger, took down a "ghost marriage" notice to fulfill his mother's wish, which led to further conflict with Mi Laichang. He buried Gou Dan's remains in his family's ancestral tomb and left home in tears.

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