The novel's many plots are based on the true stories. It depicts the life and work of the migrant workers, females in particular, in Guangdong, China at the turn of the century. The novel is set in Gongbei, a place bordering Macau under the "one country, two systems" policy. Some female migrant workers hope to change their fate through cross-border marriage or acting as cross-border underground lovers.
The author has come into contact with many migrant workers for years. It enables him to observe their life, work, love, marriage and inner world with a keen eye.
The novel reflects several important social issues concerning women rights, environment, corruption, etc. The novel is not only for ordinary readers, but also for researchers, especially those of women studies, from sociological, psychological, and economic perspectives.
