A twelve-year-old boy Kuankuan visits his aunt who is living alone after her retirement in Shanghai. Through his eyes his aunt appears stingy, out-of-date, loud, and ridiculous. But after a series of adventures together, they have reached some understanding before he leaves for home. A year later Kuankuan visits her again in her new home, much changed and very resigned. Shanghai seems to have been a mirage, or a happy dream.