In the 1970s, at the urging of Chairman Mao, teachers led an educational revolutionary practice group to collect materials for textbooks in Xiping Village. High school student Jingqiu became a homeschooled student at the village chief’s residence. The chief’s wife mentions Lao San, and Jingqiu is curious about him. The two finally meet and talk about the Hawthorn Tree, and how they both have feelings for each other. But when Jingqiu returns to the city, she heard rumors that Lao San already has a girlfriend and decides to distance herself from him. Her family becomes impoverished due to an incident. The wronged Lao San helps Jingqiu in secret until they are reunited. But their love affair is seen by her mother. To ensure a bright future for her, Lao San is forced to promise that they would never see each other again.
