In the late 1960s and early 1970s, on a stormy night, Lin Shu escapes from her husband's family. Zhang Liang, a young man with a lame leg, saves her with an iron pitchfork. Taking pity on her plight, he marries her. The story begins in the year Lin Shu gives birth to her son. With three daughters and one son at home, four hungry mouths to feed, life becomes even harder. Lin Shu carries a basket and takes the children down the slopes to gather wild vegetables and elm seeds, while also planting vegetables on barren hillsides. Since their father's legs are impaired, the eldest and second daughters accompany him to work for the collective. The children go into the fields to pick up leftover rice ears, while Lin Shu takes the little ones to the river to gather river snails. From finding ways to earn money to managing every aspect of family life, Lin Shu is the one who plans, decides, and takes care of everything. The story is told entirely from her perspective.