Free Village, where the Huang family holds considerable influence but enjoys little real freedom due to external pressures and internal complacency. The protagonist, Huang Tongli, grapples with the disrepair of his home, which symbolizes the neglect and stagnation of the village. His wife, Huang Xiuqiu, emerges as a pivotal figure, illustrating the struggles of women in a traditional society. After an intense conversation regarding the state of their home, she questions the role and potential of women, unknowingly igniting a desire for change in both herself and her husband. The opening sets the tone for a complex exploration of gender roles, community dynamics, and the notion of true freedom, foreshadowing significant developments amid Huang Tongli's quest for reform. (This is an automatically generated summary.)