Plot Summary
In 2001, the story unfolds in Datong, a once-thriving mining city now struggling economically due to falling coal prices. Here, Qiao, portrayed by Tao Zhao, and her boyfriend Bin, played by Fan Liao, wield significant power as they navigate their lives. Their world takes a dark turn when Bin’s boss is brutally murdered, prompting Qiao to suggest they escape their dangerous lifestyle and marry. However, Bin dismisses her proposal. One fateful night, Bin and his driver are attacked by a group of motorcyclists attempting to usurp his authority. In a bold act, Qiao grabs Bin’s handgun and fires two warning shots into the night sky, successfully scaring off the assailants.
The aftermath is grim; the police confront Qiao about the weapon, which is revealed to be unregistered. In a defiant move, she asserts that the gun is hers, resulting in a five-year prison sentence for illegal possession, all while Bin remains absent from her life. Upon her release, Qiao endeavors to reconnect with him, only to discover he has moved on. When she arrives in Hubei province, she is met not by Bin, but by his new girlfriend, as Bin hides away in another room. Qiao makes it clear that if their relationship is over, Bin must be the one to end it personally.
With limited resources, Qiao resorts to conning strangers for basic necessities. In a desperate bid to find Bin, she employs a motorcycle driver to take her to what she believes is his workplace. The driver’s inappropriate propositions lead Qiao to steal his bike instead, further heightening her chaotic journey. She arrives at the power plant and reports the driver’s advances to a police officer, demanding that Bin be contacted. This act compels Bin to confront her.
In a tense hotel meeting, Bin claims he has transformed, shedding his past life as a “jianghu” gangster and insisting he cannot return to Datong, where his reputation lies in tatters. Qiao challenges him, reminding him of her sacrifices—how she had saved his life and taken the blame for him. Their conversation crescendos as Qiao ultimately decides that their relationship must end. After parting ways, she boards a train where she briefly intersects with a stranger claiming to be starting a UFO-hunting venture. However, his ruse unravels, leading Qiao to disembark, just in time to catch sight of a mysterious object flying in the sky as she resolves to head back to Datong.
Fast forward to 2017, fate throws Qiao and Bin together once more when she receives a call from him. Upon picking him up, she notices he is now in a wheelchair, a stark contrast to the formidable figure she once knew. Taking him back to their former gambling parlor, where she now works, Qiao finds many of Bin’s old acquaintances eager to reconnect. However, Bin’s temperament is volatile, filled with anger and bitterness, resulting in fights that put Qiao on edge. Discovering that Bin suffered a stroke due to excessive drinking, Qiao seeks a doctor to assist in his rehabilitation. When Bin regains his ability to walk, he unexpectedly disappears from her life, leaving only a brief voicemail as his farewell. Qiao rushes to find him, yet he remains elusive, dividing their once inseparable bond.
Timeline
Economic Struggles in Datong
In 2001, the story begins in Datong, a once-prosperous mining city now facing economic hardships due to declining coal prices. The bleak atmosphere affects the dreams and ambitions of its inhabitants, setting the stage for the events that will unfold.
Qiao and Bin's Relationship
Qiao, portrayed by Tao Zhao, and her boyfriend Bin, played by Fan Liao, enjoy a life of power and influence in their community. However, their seemingly stable relationship is shadowed by the surrounding dangers and uncertainties of the mining city.
Murder of Bin's Boss
The couple's world is jolted when Bin's boss is brutally murdered, an act that signifies an impending power struggle. This event prompts Qiao to suggest that they escape their dangerous lifestyle together through marriage.
Assault by Motorcyclists
In a shocking turn of events, Bin and his driver are assaulted by a group of motorcyclists seeking to usurp Bin's authority. Qiao intervenes, seizing Bin's handgun and firing warning shots into the air, effectively scaring off the attackers.
Qiao's Arrest
Following her act of defiance, the police confront Qiao regarding the unregistered gun. Rather than betraying Bin, she claims ownership of the weapon, resulting in her sentencing to five years in prison for illegal possession.
Qiao's Release from Prison
Upon her release from prison, Qiao is determined to reconnect with Bin, only to find that he has moved on with his life. Her hopes are dashed when she meets Bin's new girlfriend instead of him.
Desperate Measures
With no resources and a sense of urgency, Qiao resorts to conning strangers for food and necessities. She takes a motorcycle taxi in search of Bin, but the driver's inappropriate advances lead her to steal his bike instead.
Reporting the Incident
Arriving at a power plant, Qiao reports the driver's misconduct to a police officer and demands that Bin be contacted. This act of desperation ultimately leads Bin to meet her in a tense confrontation.
Confrontation with Bin
In a hotel, Qiao confronts Bin, who claims to have changed and can’t return to Datong due to his tarnished reputation. The emotional meeting escalates as Qiao reminds him of her sacrifices, leading her to decide that their relationship must end.
Qiao's Journey Back
After their separation, Qiao boards a train, briefly encountering a stranger who claims to be starting a UFO-hunting venture. The encounter becomes unraveling and she disembarks just as she catches sight of a mysterious object in the sky.
Reunion in 2017
Fast forward to 2017, Qiao receives a call from Bin, setting the stage for a reunion. However, she finds him in a wheelchair, a stark reminder of the toll that time and circumstances have taken on him.
Visiting the Gambling Parlor
Taking Bin back to their former gambling parlor, Qiao is met with the old acquaintances from Bin's past. Despite the warm welcome, Bin’s volatile nature emerges, revealing the anger and bitterness that have consumed him.
Bin's Health Crisis
As Qiao learns that Bin suffered a stroke due to excessive drinking, the reality of his condition hits hard. She seeks medical help to assist him in his recovery, showing her unwavering commitment to supporting him.
Bin's Disappearance
After Bin regains his ability to walk, he unexpectedly vanishes from Qiao's life, leaving her with only a brief voicemail. This sudden disappearance creates a chasm between them, amplifying the emotional turmoil.
Qiao's Search for Bin
Determined to find him, Qiao rushes to track Bin down following his abrupt departure. Yet his elusive nature leaves her wandering, symbolizing a divide in their once unbreakable bond.
Characters
Qiao (Tao Zhao)
Qiao is a strong-willed woman who navigates her life amidst turbulence and challenges. Throughout the film, she epitomizes resilience as she faces the consequences of her actions and yearns for reconnection with Bin. Her journey reflects her struggle for self-identity and agency in an unforgiving environment.
Bin (Fan Liao)
Bin starts as a formidable figure, intertwined in the underbelly of gang life. However, his journey reveals his transformation after a stroke, exposing his vulnerabilities. His volatile temperament highlights the toll of addiction and regret, rendering him a complex character plagued by his past.
Setting
Time period
2001, 2017
The film spans two pivotal years – 2001, marked by the struggles of individuals in a deteriorating economic landscape, and 2017, showcasing the changes in characters' lives over time. This period reflects a societal shift, where personal relationships and past choices come to light in the face of economic and health challenges.
Location
Datong, Hubei Province
Datong is a historically significant mining city known for its rich coal deposits, which have sustained its economy for decades. However, the city is currently grappling with economic hardship due to falling coal prices, leading to struggles among its inhabitants. Hubei province serves as a contrasting backdrop, where characters confront their past and fate amid evolving life circumstances.
Themes
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Love and Betrayal
The theme of love and betrayal is central to the story, as Qiao navigates her complicated relationship with Bin. Despite her sacrifices, their bond deteriorates over time, illustrating how love can be tested by choices and circumstances. The tension between loyalty and self-preservation deeply affects their lives, leading to profound emotional struggles.
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Change and Redemption
Change plays a significant role as the characters evolve, especially Bin, who transforms from a powerful figure to someone reliant on others. Qiao's journey also reflects her quest for redemption and stability in a life filled with chaos. Both characters confront the consequences of their past and strive for a better future, emphasizing the importance of personal growth.
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