Every family in Shuanghe Village raises cattle. When cattle prices skyrocket, the villagers, encouraged by Third Uncle Lin Wanshan, take out loans to buy more cattle, all hoping to make a fortune as prices continue to rise. Lin Chunsheng, a graduate student in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, notices the sudden surge in cattle farming and learns that foot-and-mouth disease has already broken out in a neighboring town. Realizing that cattle prices are about to plummet, he ignores the entire village's ridicule and sells all thirty-five of his family's cattle: thirty fattening cattle and five breeding cows. He then decisively takes his parents and switches careers to open a veterinary clinic. As expected, foot-and-mouth disease soon spreads throughout the village. Infected cattle are culled, and cattle prices collapse. Every family's cattle die, leaving the villagers with nothing. Those who once mocked Chunsheng are now buried in debt. When Lin Wanshan comes begging for help, Chunsheng stands firm and refuses to compromise his principles. He and his family go on to live peaceful, stable lives, teaching everyone that important decisions must ultimately be made for oneself.