Er Di plot
Main character Hong (nickname Er di, 'little brother') enjoys some status in his hometown on the coast, where stowaways prepare themselves for the journey by the dozen, because he once spent a few years in the United States. When he got the daughter of his Chinese boss pregnant there, her family reported him to the immigration service and he was sent back to China. Since then, his family has not been very pleased with his aimless hang. Even when Er di starts something with an actress from a traveling opera company, he remains just as passive. Then he learns that his former in-laws are back in China, with his son. His brother insists on meeting, which leads to a series of uncomfortable and emotional events.