A group of four Chinese-American immigrant women in San Francisco form a club, meeting regularly to play mahjong and share stories about their lives. These women, who each have a complex history rooted in their experiences in China, hope to guide their American-born daughters through their own difficult paths. As the club meetings progress, the women reveal their struggles with war, loss, and cultural upheaval. They recount their attempts to find love, survive tragedies, and seek better futures for their offspring. Through these tales, they impart wisdom, resilience, and the importance of maintaining cultural ties despite living in a different world.

The daughters, each grappling with their own contemporary challenges, wrestle with their identities and the expectations placed upon them by their mothers. Balancing traditional values with their aspirations in modern America, they confront issues such as failed relationships, career pressures, and the desire for independence. As the narrative unfolds, viewers witness the generational tensions and the poignant moments of understanding that arise, providing both the mothers and daughters with a deeper appreciation of each other's experiences and sacrifices. The story intricately weaves between past and present, depicting the powerful and enduring bond between mother and child.