University professor Li Liang (Zhang Yi) leads a tranquil life until his biological father Li Yi Sheng (Zhang Guo Li) suddenly appears at an autograph event for Li Liang’s new book. Li Liang and his sister Li Nan (Pan Chen), who were raised by their stepfather Li Dong Shan (Li Jian Yi), refuse to acknowledge Yi Sheng as their father. But Dong Shan doesn’t blame them and tries hard to participate in their lives – only to end up creating a mess every time.
That City, This Family depicts the daily struggles of survivors of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake. Wang Da Ming (Ma Yuan) and Lin Zhi Yan (Cathy Zhou), a young married couple, are buried together when the earthquake occurs. After six days and seven nights, Da Ming is rescued, but has to learn that his pregnant wife and his father both died. Actually, every family in the city is in mourning. Later on, Yang Ai (Tong Lei) who works at a ceramics factory appears in Da Ming’s life. She too has lost her beloved ones in the earthquake and is only left with a son who turned mute. Da Ming and Yang Ai decide to marry to create a new family and find happiness again.