Douzi (Leslie Cheung) is sent to an operatic school by his mother. Shitou (Fengyi Zhang), also a student at the school, befriends him, and the two endure abuse by the wretched school staff. As they hone their talents, Douzi develops romantic feelings toward Shitou, however his love is not reciprocated. When Shitou is tricked into marrying a young prostitute named Juxian (Gong Li) to save her from her tawdry life, the friendship falters and changes.