A fierce storm suddenly strikes at sea. Shen Yanzhou, a hired hand, risks his life to save Zhou Jing'an, the boat owner's son, but falls into the sea himself. At this critical moment, the boat owner, Zhou Wanchuan, fears that the vessel will capsize and cruelly orders the crew to sail away, abandoning the man who saved his son's life. After reaching shore, he fabricates a lie and intends to settle the matter hastily with a little silver. Zhou Jing'an is consumed by guilt and refuses to deceive Shen Yanzhou's mother. Just as everyone believes Shen Yanzhou has perished at sea, a giant fish secretly carries him on its back and delivers him to an unfamiliar shore.