If Absolute Signal is the masterpiece of China's little theater movement in the 1980s, then In the Same Boat belongs to the movement in the 1990s. The play aims not to experiment with but to approach the audience's soul. It wins over the audience with a poetic rediscovery of life and an excellent performance.

Written by Shen Hongguang and directed by Wang Jia'na, the play depicts the young couple Liu Qiang and Mi Ling and a retired teacher named Miss Fang who remains single her whole life. They live together in a cramped apartment.

To drive away the spinster, the couple places an ad seeking a husband for her without her permission. Mr. Gao, a soon-to-retire captain, reads the message.

Facing this unexpected matter, Miss Fang is in the dilemma of whether to accept or decline Mr. Gao's proposal. At the same time, the appearance of an old lover results in a crisis of trust between the couple (which couple?).

Through his own painful experiences, Mr. Gao teaches the young couple to have pity and sympathy in life. He provokes them to think about the question: "What is the most important, durable, and valuable thing in life?"

Over time, the young couple comes to understand the two old people and becomes prepared mentally for Mr. Gao to move in.

"How much longer will the two old people live? Even for us, life is not that long. It is fate that has brought us together., so let us go on living in the same boat," Reasons the young couple.

However, Miss Fang, who has remained very restrained, rejects Mr. Gao. However, after the old man goes away disappointedly, she begins to miss him and wishes for his return. The curtain falls as Miss Fang stand at the window, gazing at the ships coming and going on the river.

Although the play describes the daily life of ordinary people, it also reveals a hidden life philosophy that gives people much to think about. The sad ending provokes the audience to think and instructs them to cherish their life.