Zhong, a recently released murderer, returns to his fishing village because of his father's death. Ten years ago, Zhong was convicted of manslaughter and imprisoned for accidentally killing a young man from a neighbouring village. Haunted by guilt, Zhong seeks out the victim's family, who have since moved away, hoping for their forgiveness. Along the way, he encounters Xue, a mentally ill woman confined to a stilt house. The two, both longing for redemption, help heal each other's past wounds.