Li Xiao-Jun is a newly-immigrated Mainlander who comes to Hong Kong in 1986 to make money for his family back in Wusih. Lost at first, he comes to befriend local girl Chiao (Maggie Cheung), a fervent money-maker who shuns friends to make money. She hooks Xiao-Jun up with an English class (for a small finder’s fee) to better his chances of landing a job. Despite her initial reservations, the two become friends as Chiao uses Xiao-Jun as an employee for her money-making projects. As fate would have it, the two become best friends and casual lovers, which is a problem since Xiao-Jun has a fiancée back in Wusih.
The two vow to stay only friends, which seems easy as their lives prosper. However, when financial slowdown sets in, things take a turn for the worse. Chiao turns to working in a massage parlour for cash, and comes to question her “friendship” with Xiao-Jun. Eventually the two part. Xiao-Jun brings his fiancee, Xiao-Ting, to Hong Kong, and Chiao eventually takes up with local triad boss Pao. However, despite their best efforts, their fates cross again and the two find themselves questioning their earlier choices.
