The notorious Wang Da and his wife Daniang were living on high-interest rent and loans. Although the younger sister of Wang Daniang, Lianer had been treated as a slaver who was responsible for all the housework. They would even beat her if they were not satisfied.

The Wang couple and Lianer were living on the first floor of a two-storey house. The ground and mezzanine floors were occupied by people from all walks of life. One of them was Sai Shiqian, a thief but also a respected and righteous hero in the eyes of many. One day when Sai was selling Wang an expensive clock he saw Lianer being bullied upon by Wang Daniang. Out of sympathy he asked Lianer to tell him all the wrongs her sister had done to her. Gradually they fell in love with each other and vowed marriage. Sai also promised Lianer to give up stealing and became a shaft driver. As a former lover of Sai Wang Daniang was envious of Lianer and determined to separate them. She asked Sai to kill Wang before he could marry Lianer but Sai refused immediately.

Wang Daniang would not give up. She had a deal with a rich merchant under which Lianer was sold to him as a concubine. Meanwhile, Wang Daniang gave her husband a cup of poisoned wine and provoked a quarrel between him and Sai. Sai was so angry that he hit Wang in the stomach. Wang died almost immediately. However, one of the tenants Xiao Liusan witnessed how Wang Daniang gave her husband the poisoned wine and she was then arrested instead. At the same time Lianer managed to persuade the old merchant to give her up and returned home. Then she went away to start a new life with Sai.

Starring: Lianer - You Min Sai Shiqian - Yan Jun Wang Da - Wu Jiaxiang Wang Daniang - Wang Lai Xiao Liusan - Jin Quan