In winter, an elderly lady living alone in a courtyard in Beijing welcomes a young girl who has come from another city for studies. The girl wishes to rent a house close to the school, but finds the elderly lady's asking price too high. With a determined expression, the elderly lady refuses to lower the rent. Despite her reluctance, the girl eventually agrees to the terms, leading to a tumultuous relationship filled with arguments and disagreements between the two.

Whether it's installing a telephone, paying the phone bill, or using an electric stove and refrigerator, the girl feels that the elderly lady is calculating every move, causing her considerable distress. On the other hand, the elderly lady finds fault with the girl in every aspect. However, as time goes by, the two become each other's support. As the days pass through spring and summer, the elderly lady witnesses the joys and sorrows of the girl's life, especially during her romantic experiences. The loneliness of the elderly lady in her later years diminishes significantly due to the girl's companionship.

As autumn arrives, the girl finds a better place to live and prepares to leave, causing the elderly lady's spirits to suddenly plummet.