For Once In A Life Time

In the 70's, Lam Cheong and his pregnant wife Yik Tze Kwan together with four year old daughter Lam Wah came to Hong Kong. Cheong was not able to pay for the trip so that his wife and daughter were kept hostage. Cheong asked help from his uncle Ching Yau, but was neglected leaving him in dismay. Yip tried to escape with her daughter but were caught. Cheong sought help from Ching again so that Yik and Wah were finally released. Cheong worked at Ching's stall to earn the living. He was often humiliated and bullied by Ching, thus was very depressed. Helping to support the family, Yik took up labour work which brought about early delivery of her son Lam Fat. Her health was impaired and Cheong's burden was therefore increased.

In his exasperation, Cheong listened to his neighbour Chow Tsuk and engaged in the embezzlement of the stall's money. Ching Yau found out and Cheong had to hide himself. Cheong finally left his family and escaped to the States. Disappointed in Cheong, Yip faced up to reality. She paid back the money to Ching and worked hard to bring up the pair of children. Afraid that he would be found conspiring with Cheong, Chow left his son Tim Luk and ran away. Yik sympathized with Tim Luk and decided to look after him as her own child. Her action earned the respect from Tim Luk. Indulged in gambling, Chow borrowed money from the loan shark. He stole Yik's money and was discovered by Lam Wah. Trying to chase after Chow to get the money back, Wah hurted herself making Tim Luk very sad. When Yik was settling, the house caught fire and they had to move to government housing estate while Tim Luk followed his father to stay with his relative……

With her determination and strong will, Yik brings up the pair of children. Yik Wah works hard at the Lee's Garment Factory and earns the trust from proprietress Lee Ping who entrusts her with the whole business. Yik Fat, however, is connived by her mother. He has no interest in study and makes Yik very worried. Because of work, Tim Luk moves to stay on the roof and becomes part of the Yik family. Tim Luk has a liking for Wah at a young age but Wah always treats him as her brother. Tim Luk isn't sure how to handle. Yik Wah encounters Hui Chi Hang during shopping. She is attracted and impressed by Chi Hang's gentle disposition and knowledge. After graduation, Chi Hang makes use of a limited capital to open a trading firm. Using Ho Siu Lun as his right hand man, he takes away a large account from his previous boss. He becomes very ambitious and hopes to establish himself in the commercial field……

Lee Ping is going to emigrate oversea with her family. She doesn't want to wrap up the business and entrusts Yik Wah with full authority. To reciprocate Lee Ping's kindness, Yik Wah decides to work her very best for the factory. Chow Tsuk pretends to help Yik at the restaurant but infact trying to fill his own pocket. Yik is very generous and doesn't take it to her heart. But she is discouraged when Chow doesn't change. Yik Fat is caught in an argument with Cheung Sim Sim in the football field. To revenge, he causes a nuissance at the shop where Sim Sim works, thus infuriates Sim Sim. In order to obtain an early loan, Chi Hang contrives with Siu Lun and tricks Yik Wah to rush an order for him. Hereafter, Chi Hang makes use of Yik Wah to achieve his aims. Misunderstanding arises between Yik Fat and Siu Wing Han who is Sim Sim's boyfriend during one of Fat's football training session.

Yik Wah falls unconscious due to overwork. Chi Hang shows his concern and starts to pursue her. Yik Wah is delighted. Tim Luk feels bad when he finds Yik Wah and Chi Hang are getting on well. Yik Fat is invited to join the football team of the sports club and has the opportunity to represent Hong Kong for overseas competition. Fat is exhilarated but Wah is worried that he may neglect study and is strongly against it. The two are caught in heated argument which results in Fat leaving home. After careful consideration, Wah doesn't want their relationship severs due to minor issues and finally consents to Fat's joining the football team. Wing Han's father is sponsoring the football team and he therefore automatically becomes a team member. He is ostentious and arouses Fat's envy. The two are always in adverse to each other. Using Tim Luk's car to practice, Yik Fat crashes into another car and is caught in a dispute with the driver……

Lam Cheong fleed to the States. He committed crime and was imprisoned, thus was not able to contact Yik. When he was released from prison, he learnt that his house had caught fire and he had no idea of his family's whereabout. He was sad and felt very guilty. To repent, Cheong concentrated his energy on his career and became quite affluent. Twenty years after, he decides to wrap up his business in the States and settle in Hong Kong hoping to reunite with his family. Fate once again plays trick on the couple when the two miss each other despite their having dinner in the same restaurant. Cheong is invited by age old friends Lau Kwok Fai and Wai Lan to dinner while Yik's family is celebrating for Tim Luk's promotion in the same place. Yik Fat goes boozing and mistakenly gets into Cheong's car. Cheong reproves of Fat's behaviour so that Fat leaves in exasperation……