Born on the first day of the Lunar New Year, a day said to bring a lifetime of suffering. Our protagonist, Bai Shou, a farmer, not only shares this birthdate with his unreliable father, but also bears a birthmark—a large white spot on his left palm. This is the story of how Bai Shou, in the era of China's reform and opening up, uses his intelligence and hard work to change his destiny.