A father's opulent garden, built to escape political persecution, is lost to financial ruin, setting the stage for his daughter's modern-day quest to recapture lost enchantment. The novel traces the life of Zhu Yinghong, whose father, Zhu Zuyan, a man under suspicion during Chiang Kai-shek's rule, indulges in building and maintaining a luxurious Lotus Garden, a pursuit that ultimately bankrupts the family and leads to the garden's sale. The narrative then shifts to contemporary Taipei, where Zhu Yinghong becomes entangled with Lin Xigeng, a wealthy real estate developer, in a courtship marked by extravagant displays. Despite their eventual marriage, the initial spark fades, prompting Yinghong's desperate search to rekindle the magic of the lost Lotus Garden, exploring themes of passion, loss, and the ephemeral nature of happiness.

The novel is characterized by its eloquent prose and its exploration of profound themes such as passion, loss, and the struggle to maintain enchantment. The narrative structure, which moves between historical and contemporary settings, allows for a rich comparison of societal values and personal pursuits across different eras. Readers are likely to find the symbolic weight of the Lotus Garden particularly resonant, representing both personal escape and ultimate ruin. The depiction of modern Taipei's wealthy elite provides a stark contrast to the earlier period, highlighting the enduring human desire for beauty and fulfillment, even amidst material excess.