Wei Lim lives in "a large city by the Pacific ocean" with his grandfather and father, Ba, a singer in a Chinese opera troupe. Ba does not want Wei Lim to follow the family tradition, as he sees no future for Chinese opera in their adopted country. However, Grandfather teaches Wei Lim the melodies, movements, and techniques. When his father struggles to learn a new role, Wei Lim coaches him, recalling his grandfather's lessons.