The Shen couple had six children. For years Mr Shen had been the only one to support the family. One day, Mr Shen was on a crashed plane in Singapore and everyone believed he had died. Mrs Shen then went to Singapore to prepare for his funeral and the eldest daughter took charge of the family. However, the brothers and sisters would never listen to their eldest sister. The second brother was extremely bad-tempered and always beat the others up when they did not listen to him. The fourth sister was extremely gluttonous who would never help with any housework. The eldest sister was annoyed and could do nothing.

A widow of four gave up two of her children to be raised by an uncle in Singapore. Many years later, just when the widow, now a house maid, is feeling contented by good news of her long gone son and daughter, she accidentally runs into his own son, now a lawyer, and ends up being looked down upon by him. It was a story about how traditional Chinese family and its value was impacted by the change of time. The movie depicted Macau in 1945 to Hong Kong in the mid-60s, moving from poverty after WWII to opulence. The human relationships became complicated and fragile. Many elements uniquely "Hong Kong", such as upper class Chinese, western religions, English speaking and a mixed-culture society are used to contrast the traditional, kind, enduring and forgiving love of a mother.

The story revolves around Tian Yu Quan (Chin Feng) who rushes to the aid of an elderly fisherman who is bullied by an arrogant relative of the Qiu Shan ministry. In the heat of the ensuing battle he kills the said man and is hence chased by the district's officials. Trying to use the waterway to shake off his enemies, Yu Quan finds a true friend in the old fisherman's bark-stearing daughter, Hu Feng Lian (Ting Hung) who becomes his loyal accomplice. As symbol for his gratitude, Yu Quan bestows Feng Lian with a Butterfly Chalice to reflect their eternal friendship bond...

Li Qingqing, an orphan, just arrives in Hong Kong and becomes a singer who sacrifices everything for her man.

When Yueh Sin's father is brutally murdered, her lover Shao Fung, the #1 samurai ninja warrior of the martial world, seeks revenge on her behalf.

Lee Khan, a high official under Mongolian Emperor Yuan of the Yuan dynasty procures the battle map of the Chinese rebel Chu Yuan-Chang's army. Rebel spies, aided by treachery within Khan's ranks, strive to corner him in an inn.