Trieuisanorphanwholiveswithhermother-in-lawandherbrother-in-lawThien.Theyworkthefamilyland,andalsoweavetowels.Trieu'shusbandDaireturnstothevillage,afterafouryearabsence,toaskTrieuforadivorce,becausehehasstartedabusinessinHanoiwithhisgirlfriend.Trieurefuses,butDaileaveshertenpiecesofgoldandthedivorcepaperstosign.AfterarowwithToan,thelocaltowelbuyer,Trieumanagestoselltheclothtothedistributorsherself,andusesthegoldtosetupaweaversco-op.TrieuandThiengrowclosertogether,butvillagecustomwoulddisapproveofanyrelationshipbetweenthesiblings-in-law,evenifTrieuweredivorced.