Beside the Seaside, Beside the Sea

WONG CHOR SAY is a village girl whose family perished in a storm. Being the only survivor, she is brought up by her uncle CH UT GUN. Though SAY loves learning very much, according to the village rule, girls are not allowed to receive education. Nevertheless, a kind-hearted teacher, CHEUNG, exposes her to new way of thinking during his spare time. SAY's parents have pre-arranged a marriage for SAY who dislikes her future husband, YAU CHEONG. On the other hand, SAY has a childhood lover, TSANG NGAU. However, NGAU's mother is quite against their intimate relationship. SAY is very much impressed by a female film producer, TSANG LAI WAR, who comes from Shanghai. Her independence inspires SAY to fight for freedom in her love life and makes her eager to see the life in Shanghai. Finally, SAY asks for the engagement to be cancelled but is refused by CHEONG's father.

Not only is SAY's request turned down, CHEONG's father evens arrange an early marriage for them so that there will not be any further changes. SAY is determined not to be bound by this unhappy marriage. So she makes up her mind to run away to Shanghai where a friend of CHEUNG's may be able to give her shelter. NGAU is eager to escort her to Shanghai but his mother gets sick and he has to stay behind to look after her. Everything is now secretly arranged and SAY is ready to set off. NGAU comes to see her off. However, her escape is discovered by CHEONG's father who sends his servants to chase her back. NGAU does his best to protect her and fight hard to enable SAY to escape. Eventually, SAY manages to run away but NGAU is seriously wounded.

CHEONG's father is furious about SAY's escape and he vents his anger on GUN and NGAU. The two are fiercely beaten. CHEUNG tries to help them and this arouses the hatred of CHEONG's father. In the end, CHEUNG gets sacked and he decides to leave for another place to continue his teaching career. NGAU's mother dies of sickness. On her death bed, she urges NGAU to work hard and prosper in his career. Her words motivate NGAU to try his luck in Shanghai which is a place of opportunities. Unfortunately he is caught in a storm. SAY reaches Shanghai and is dismayed to find CHEUNG's friend moved out of town already. The news of NGAU's ship capsized in storm further breaks her heart. Now she is alone and has nobody to turn to. Luckily, she has run into a candy girl, LEE SIU TSUI who sympathizes her fate and offers her shelter in her house.… ...

TSUI is eager to find a job for SAY. However, without any connections, her efforts are all in vain. On the other hand, TSUI herself is dreaming to become a movie star so that she needs not live in poverty anymore. Time and again she has tried to enter the showbiz but failed. SAY having nothing to do spend her time doing household chores for CHAU. Meanwhile, an artist moves in to her neighbourhood. This artist, TO TSZ FUNG, is in fact born in a rich family. His zeal in pursuing a career in arts meets much resentment from his family. He falls out with his father and walks out of the family. Now he becomes SAY's neighbour. SAY is very much impressed by FUNG who is learned and sincere. LUNG runs into trouble and is wounded in a fight. Both CHAU and FUNG try to help LUNG financially so that he can pay the medical expenses. On the one hand, FUNG sells his watch. On the other hand, he also tries to sell his paintings.… ...

Impressed by his generosity and readiness to help, SAY also offers consolation to FUNG and helps him build up his confidence again. This helps to draw the two of them closer to each other. However, people starts gossiping behind them making SAY feel very embarrassed. Despite FUNG's special affection for her, SAY cannot drive NGAU out of her mind and is hesitant in accepting FUNG's love for her. Meanwhile, SAY's talent in singing is discovered by CHAU who is eager to train her to become a good singer. The love tangle disturbs SAY much and she is taken ill. During that time, TSUI and FUNG offer her much care and support. Gradually, she regains her health and also her confidence in living and she decides to accept FUNG's love for her.

On the other hand, FUNG runs into financial trouble because he cannot sell his paintings. Seeing him in trouble, the owner of an art gallery, CHIU SIU KAY, offers him some help. In fact, KAY has time and again torn TSUI's dress by accident. Later, KAY comes to know that FUNG is in fact a friend of TSUI and he tries to make up his wrong by buying TSUI a new dress. The love between SAY and FUNG is turned by a rich girl FAN ON KEI who also has a fondness for FUNG. KEI, following KAY, finally discovers FUNG's whereabouts and goes to find him. Only then is FUNG's real identity revealed and SAY is displeased to find FUN keeping her all the time in the dark. Their gap is further widened by misunderstandings.

However, upon knowing FUNG's determination to pursue his ideal, SAY feels a deep respect for FUNG and this bridges the gap between them. In fact, FUNG’s mother misses him much. With KAY's help, they meet secretly for fear of arousing the anger of FUNG's father. Meanwhile, KAY gradually develops a fondness for TSUI who is happy to find herself pursued by the owner of an art gallery.

KEI's jealousy drives her to speak evil of SAY. FUNG's father dislikes SAY and warns her to stop her relationship with FUNG. This hurts SAY much. On knowing this, FUNG has a fierce quarrel with his father. From this, SAY sees in her eyes the sincere love of FUNG for her and is deeply moved. TSUI finally gets a job in a film-making company but her career does not prosper. To order to be cast as the main character in a movie, TSUI makes use of SAY's life story as the company is looking for a girl who has experienced much oppression in a conservative society.

At first, SAY is a little displeased with TSUI for making use of her life story. Nevertheless, TSUI apologizes and wins SAY's understanding. A rich young man, HUI KIN LUNG, is attracted by TSUI's beauty and tries to win her heart with his money. Knowing that HUI is not sincere, SAY and the others try to caution TSUI who refuses to listen to their kind counsel. Meeting his rival, KAY plucks up his courage and reveals his love to TSUI who is not impressed. TSUI is determined to use HUI to help to develop her career in showbiz. This greatly disappoints KAY. Despite HUI's help, PEI TAK, the film director does not find TSUI suitable for playing the main character.

Under the encouragement of SAY, FUNG works hard with his paintings and holds a small-scale exhibition. A portrait of SAY drawn by FUNG attracts TAK's attention, finding her the most suitable candidate for the main role in his film. SAY is reluctant to accept TAK's offer for fear of arousing the anger of TSUI who is eager to play that role. However, CHAU urges her to make use of this opportunity to develop her talent in singing. In the end, SAY promises to join the film-making company. Just as SAY has expected, TSUI is angry with SAY and begins to alienate from her. However, their friendship is still greatly treasured by SAY. TSUI's mother is hurt in an accident and is taken to the hospital. TSUI rushes to see her ,but on finding a group of reporters there, she backs off for fearing of letting the public know about her past.… ...

On knowing their past relationship, FUNG wants to withdraw from this love tangle. However, SAY is still caught in the dilemma of not knowing who to choose. NGAU is quick to notice that his status and that of SAY is drifting apart. So he is determined to work hard in order to lead a happy life with SAY in future.

Seeing that her car does not prosper, TSUI feels depressed. HUI proposes to make a film with TSUI playing the leading role on condition that TSUI promises to be his mistress. Eager to fulfil her dream of becoming a movie star, TSUI concedes. NGAU gets in trouble with some gangsters and his rickshaw is damaged. This catches him further in financial difficulty and he has to work doubly hard. Seeing this, SAY tries to borrow money from the film company but NGAU declines her help. FUNG is greatly delighted to find his paintings well received by the people and having a good sale. It is a great blow to his confidence when he discovers that it is KAY who is secretly buying his works.

Finding it too hard to accept such a great blow to his confidence, FUNG leaves Shanghai and hides himself in a small village. There he meets a retired scholar who teaches him that the key to success is perseverance and urges him to start all over again. SAY feels greatly depressed about FUNG's leaving and waits eagerly his return. Meanwhile, she gets hurt and is taken into the hospital. NGAU tries to show his care. But for fear of the gossip, SAY stays away from NGAU and takes abode in WAR's house. SAY's coldness towards NGAU makes him feel that there is a wide gap between them. Nevertheless, NGAU waits for a change in her sentiments, hoping to rekindle their past love.