1970年代，山西某地，春节临近，任建国（孙敏饰）的妻子 sudden departure leaves him with four little ones. Struggling with his ailing eldest son, he is forced to give him up to the orphanage and they name him Party Generation 53 (interpreted as "Party's Child 53" by plaintive cries, portrayed by 廉冠). Eventually adopted by widow Gong Erniang (曹翠芬饰), the boy is put to work mending shoes to treat his foot ailment.
However, when the doctor insists that Party Generation 53's illness requires treatment at Beijing's premier hospital, with thousands of yuan in fees, Gong Erniang is faced with an impossible predicament. She turns to Cloud Walking Daoist (interpreted as "Daoist who wanders amongst the clouds", portrayed by 王哲) for guidance, and after several months, both she and Party Generation 53 fall ill.
Upon learning of their plight, Gong Erniang's benefactor, Flowery Money (interpreted as "The one who showers generosity", portrayed by 王玉芝), organizes a fundraiser for her support. Meanwhile, Party Generation 53 is beaten by the son of a local innkeeper in Big City, unbeknownst to him that his abuser is none other than Abandoned Child (interpreted as "the one who was left behind", portrayed by the same actor, 孙敏).
Upon discovering his long-lost son's mistreatment, Abandoned Child's conscience is shaken. Upon reaching Beijing, the doctor reveals that Party Generation 53's condition is untreatable, leaving Gong Erniang to despair......
![孤儿泪[电影解说]](/template/zdy/statics/image/20250413/beb55c9e8.png)
