In the summer of 1993, Lin Xiyu, a high school senior in Jinan, is a student from a modest, blended family living in a historic courtyard house. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she rescues a mother and child from the city moat just hours before the final day of the college entrance exams. Although the rescue causes her to arrive late to the exam, television reporters from the Jinan TV Station verify her heroism and allow her entry. This incident introduces her to Gu Bin, a top student and school heartthrob from a wealthy, politically connected family. Gu Bin, who has long been her academic rival, notices her naive nature and decides to protect her from being exploited by the media.
The television station invites Lin Xiyu and Gu Bin to appear in a documentary about the lives of residents in the old courtyard houses before the area undergoes demolition. Gu Bin negotiates a ten-thousand-yuan reward for Lin Xiyu, a sum that would significantly help her struggling family. However, the documentary project coincides with escalating tensions in Lin Xiyu's neighborhood. Her family lives in a compound with three other households, all renting from an elderly landlord, Uncle Huang, whose overseas Chinese son seeks to evict them to sell the property. A conflict erupts when Lin Xiyu's aunt fights with a neighbor, Zhang Dafen, over a broken medicinal pot, revealing the fragile social dynamics and financial hardships of the community.
The situation worsens when Uncle Huang dies suddenly of a heart attack, just days after the demolition news is confirmed. His son's representative, Yan Hao, returns with arrogant demands to clear the courtyard immediately, threatening the residents with eviction. Simultaneously, Gu Bin's expensive mountain bike is stolen from the courtyard, leading to a police investigation that reveals the thief is a local neighbor with a criminal record. This incident highlights the stark contrast between Gu Bin's privileged world and the gritty reality of Lin Xiyu's environment, causing her to feel the distance between their social statuses.
Despite these challenges, Lin Xiyu and Gu Bin continue to work together on the documentary. Gu Bin acts as her guardian, shielding her from the TV crew's more intrusive requests and ensuring she is treated fairly. Their interactions reveal a growing mutual affection, though Lin Xiyu remains hesitant due to the class differences and her family's precarious housing situation. The documentary crew plans to expand the project to include tourism promotion, collaborating with the local Cultural and Tourism Bureau. As the demolition deadline approaches, the residents face the uncertainty of displacement, while Lin Xiyu navigates her final steps toward university and an evolving relationship with Gu Bin. The story captures the intersection of personal growth, family loyalty, and the rapid urban changes transforming Jinan in the early 1990s.
