In 1995, veteran Chen Jianjun invests his entire military discharge payment to help his childhood friend, Liu Dagen, start a furniture factory together. Once the factory becomes profitable, Liu Dagen, egged on by his wife, betrays Chen and drives him out after returning only his original investment. Deprived of its sales channels and business qualifications, the furniture factory quickly declines. The two resort to cutting corners and falsifying accounts, eventually falling into debt and bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Chen Jianjun starts over on the strength of his reputation, stays committed to quality, and builds a successful enterprise. The ungrateful Liu Dagen and his wife ultimately end up destitute.