Two brothers, Xiang and Shan, are swept in opposite directions by the massive social changes in China-Xiang pursues his doctorate in the United States, and Shan advances in China. In America, Xiang is astounded by the stark contrasts between what he sees with his own eyes and what he has been taught his entire life in China. He is assailed by the full force of the cultural shocks. In China, Shan is invited to join the ruling party, but a backstabbing friend shatters his political hopes to dust. Will the brothers' dreams come true or will their hardships be too much to overcome?