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.