Qing (i.e. Qin) Xianglian was the wife of a man named Chen Shimei, who won the first title of national examination and awarded as husband of the emperor's daughter. Then Qing (i.e. Qin) sues Chen as a murderer who plans to kill his wife and son. In spite of the royal power, gownsman Bao Zhen settles the lawsuit and sentences Chen to serve his head.

一日，教书先生罗明租住了一个房间，同一屋檐下，他因此认识了来自社会各个阶层的房客：重义气的的士司机梁威夫妇、失业潦倒的谭二叔夫妇、势利的包租婆、在舞厅工作的白莹、刚从乡下走出来的无知女孩玉芳、作威作福的黄大班等。不久罗明与白莹相恋，并准备结婚。此时罗明却被学校辞退，两人财政陷入困境。另一边，梁威刚被公司辞退，威嫂临盆在即；谭二叔靠卖血为生，生命危在旦夕；玉芳被黄大班污辱，正想上吊自杀……一个风两交加的晚上，一所破旧的危楼，一个社会的缩影，一切人情冷暖，尽尝心头。