Chi Mo was born with hemophilia. He survived his early childhood due solely to his mother's unstinting care. Even when he is older, he is in and out of hospitals and receives regular blood transfusions. But then, just as his physical condition appears to have stabilized, his doctor informs him that, due to an infected blood transfusion, Chi Mo has contracted HIV. He is devastated by this news but has no alternative other than to accept his fate. He decides to use the time he has left to fulfil his life-long ambition to become a successful writer. Chi Mo's condition deteriorates and he is hospitalized; this is where he will spend the rest of his life. Chi spends most of his time in the company of other patients who are also battling with a fatal disease, and losing. Chi Mo shares the same fate as his fellow-patients. However, in the short time still allotted to him, he manages to complete his most successful book - one of two best-selling autobiographical works - on which this film is based.