In 1989. Eleven-year-old Liao Jie and his father have been saving money, hoping that they will be able to buy a home of their own in three years. However, they fail to notice that the world is rapidly changing. The property prices have rocketed and in the blink of an eye, their savings are not enough. In frustration, Liao Jie comes to realize the harsh reality of being poor. In contrast to his father, their landlord who people call "Old Fox" emerges as a winner and he seems to be a better mentor to Liao Jie. Old Fox teaches Liao Jie how to survive in society, and that is something his father has never taught him. Nonetheless, Liao Jie ends up hurting Old Fox with what he has learned from Old Fox. On the other hand, like his father, Liao Jie is someone who always empathizes with others, and it is this quality that stops Liao Jie from becoming another "Old Fox".