Alice Li, a first-generation Chinese-American, is an erstwhile food blogger who has lived in the shadow of her mother, Vivien Li. A Chinese dissident who escaped China after Tiananmen Square, Vivien is now a globally recognized human rights activist. When security and fire alarms go off simultaneously all around the world, setting off a panic, the signal is traced back to China. Vivien and Alice are called to the White House in hopes Madame Li can decode the Chinese intentions. While it makes some sense that the President would turn to Vivien, since she regularly advises world leaders on the actions of today’s Chinese government, what isn’t clear is why they’d want to talk to Alice. The estranged pair, who excels at misunderstanding each other, must figure out how to work together.