During the Northern Song Dynasty, the Zhao family—comprising Zhao Buyou, his wife Wen Yue, and their three children—lives in Bianliang's Que'er Alley. Zhao Buyou, a lowly clerk, seeks a simple life, while Wen Yue is focused on improving their living conditions. Despite frequent disagreements, the family remains close. An unexpected event thrusts them into a significant case, leading them on a journey of personal growth and discovery, while uncovering deeper truths and protecting their community.
The 12-episode series follows Wang Xiang, an ex-train driver who had worked his whole life at the steel plant in a fictional small town in North China, as he attempts to solve the mystery behind a brutal murder during the autumn of 1998. For more than 20 years, the murder has haunted him and other people who worked at the steel plant as they struggled to come to terms with the loss they’ve experienced.