Xiao Xue, a young Chinese girl growing up in Taiwan, is fed up with her sister's miracles. She rolls her eyes when Xiao Chun, her older sister experiences "stigmata" in class one day: Xiao Chun starts flailing on the ground and her hands begin to drip blood. Then, her eyes bleed. It is clear to her family, peers, and teachers that she is a sign of Jesus, some kind of miracle, or even a saint. Everyone marvels at her. Her younger sister, however, is angry. She is not only the uglier, less intelligent sister but now it seems she is the sister devoid of miracles--devoid of God. As Xiao Xue pines for her sister's fortune, foreigners and pilgrims arrive at her house, bearing gifts. Xiao Xue is concerned and her parents are convinced the incidents are products of the Christian imperialists in Taiwan. Xiao Xue grows jealous of her sister's newfound fame. She kisses her friend, Ye Jing, even though he has long liked her sister. He runs away, leaving Xiao Xue feeling rejected. She continues to try to attract attention to which her sister responds harshly: you are not as holy as I am. Xiao Xue then pokes herself with a figurine of her sister, drawing blood, and creating her own stigmata for no one to see.