The action takes place in 1949. Former soldier and investigator Sergey Gastev decides to step away from detective work after encountering corrupt officials. His fight for justice almost lands Gastev in prison. Desperate, he becomes a teacher at an institute in a provincial town. On the romantic front, things are not going smoothly for Sergey either: his relationship with the Komsomol leader, Lyuda Mishina, must be kept secret. But even in this remote place, Gastev's detective talent comes in handy...