Shanghai, 2007: Feeling betrayed by her American mother’s engagement to their rich landlord Lu Fang, teenager Alva begins plotting her escape. But the exclusive American School—a potential ticket out—is not what she imagined, and she’s surprised to discover an institution run by an exclusive community of expats, and the ever-wilder thrills of a city where foreigners can ostensibly act as they please.

Qingdao, 1985: Newlywed Lu Fang works as a lowly shipping clerk. Though he aspires to a bright future, he is one of many casualties of harsh political reforms. Then China opens up to foreigners and capital, and Lu Fang meets a woman who makes him question what he should settle for.