In old China, the young master of an aristocratic family who loves the art of Sichuan Opera, Jin Mulian, and his servant, Chai Junrong, live on the streets of Chengdu without any means of subsistence and join the Sichuan Opera Troupe. As the times change in new China, the two men's identities and destinies undergo a drastic reversal, turning them from masters and servants to colleagues and superiors. The young master wants nothing more than to sing opera, and gradually grows to become a popular idol, but there is only one main character on stage and in love, and the servant, who longs to triumph over the young master, takes advantage of the plot of the opera to slash his master and disfigure him. After suffering, the young master survives and finally becomes a famous clown performer. The story spans three decades, with the ups and downs of fate, and several struggles of human nature, with the light finally illuminating the darkness, and life is like a play, a play and a dream.