Tian, the son of a high profile officer, receives an emergency heart transplant surgery. When his donor's identity is concealed from him, he's driven to great lengths to discover her identity and manages to recover a notebook that might otherwise have been forgotten. Torfun was a volunteer teacher who died in a traffic collision. From her journal, Tian learns about her life in Phu Phan Dao, a village on the country's northern border. Something about her notebook inspires Tian to take up Torfun's position at the school himself.

Tian's first day as a teacher doesn't go well. After being embarrassed by Chief Phupha in front of his students, he's unable to keep the children's attention and is later snubbed by the villagers. When events continue to spiral out of his control, Tian begins to question his fitness to his post.

Feeling out of place and of little use, Tian devotes himself to cultivating a strong relationship with the Phu Phan Dao villagers. From them, he learns new skills and ways. While assisting them in their tea trade, Tian discovers the merchants they trade with are ripping them off. A confrontation ensues and things get violent. After all the progress he made, Tian feels he's somehow betrayed the villagers by instigating a fight and ruined their newfound friendship.