Bai Mao Nu plot
The farmer Yang Bailo leases his land from the wealthy Huang family. He and his daughter Xi'er make it through. When the new crop seems to be a record, the Huang family decides that all tenants must pay the interest on their outstanding loans from the past 2 years. The young landowner Shiren has a crush on Xi'er and wants her. When paying the interest annually, the old bailo only pays the interest of the current year. Unbeknownst to him, he agrees to pay all outstanding monies at the end of the year. He thinks it's only about the interest, but it's also about the loan itself. Xi'er, meanwhile, has been promised to their young neighbor Chun'er. But just before they get married, Shiren demands the loan. Unable to pay, Bailao is forced to sell his daughter to Shiren.