Resumen, trama, sinopsis de Our Dazzling Days

Sinopsis de Our Dazzling Days

Set in the 1990s, the story unfolds in a large factory in the western suburbs of the northeastern iron city. An orphan, Zhang Xiaoman, grows up in the care of the factory’s families, becoming a beloved figure in "Iron West City." Alongside the bold and courageous Yan Xiaodan and the steady and composed Xia Lei, he spends his spirited youth in Iron West City.

As the wave of economic transformation sweeps in, this generation of young people leaves home, only to eventually return in response to the call of their hearts, creating a moving story of unchanging friendship and different paths leading to the same destination.

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"""[Recap]""" In 2007, a high-stakes boxing match in Japan serves as the backdrop for a confrontation that reaches far beyond the ring. Miyamura Masao, a local favorite seeking revenge for a previous loss, steps out to reclaim his honor against Zhang Xiaoman, a young man from the factory mines of Northeast China who has been riding a ten-fight winning streak. Behind the scenes, the atmosphere is thick with desperation.

Watanabe, the gym owner, and the manager Yu Qiangbei have gambled the gym’s entire fortune on one specific outcome: Xiaoman must go down in the third round. Before the match, Yu Qiangbei corners Xiaoman, warning him that those who break the rules end up in the depths of Tokyo Bay, but Xiaoman remains unmoved.

The voice of his old friend, Yan Xiaodan, echoes in his mind, speaking of the insanity of doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. He realizes it is time to wake up and live a different life. The bell rings, and Xiaoman fights with a ferocity that ignores all warnings. He refuses to throw the fight, declaring that he never engages in such deception.

His punches land with bone-deep precision, ending the match prematurely and ruining Watanabe’s gamble. Enraged, Watanabe leads a group of over a dozen men to corner Xiaoman at a pier. Despite his fighting skills, Xiaoman is overwhelmed. He returns the money in a desperate bid for mercy, but he is ultimately beaten and pushed into the dark, freezing waters of the bay.

In that final moment of descent, his mind drifts back to his childhood in the snow of Tiexi City, the smoke of the East Chemical Plant, and the father who raised him with a heavy hand and a distant heart. The story shifts back to the early 1990s in Tiexi City, a massive industrial complex hidden in a remote valley.

Known to outsiders as the East Chemical Plant (Donghua Plant), it is a secretive facility relocated from the border decades earlier to produce gunpowder. Zhang Xiaoman is a true son of the factory, born in its staff hospital and raised in its labyrinthine dormitories. A rambunctious child, he is often pursued through the streets by his father, Zhang Jiaming, who wields an electrician’s belt to discipline him.

One afternoon, Xiaoman encounters a new boy named Xia Lei, whose family has just moved from the old plant area. They bond over a shared "escape" from their parents, and Xiaoman shows him a safe spot to hide, sharing roasted corn and promising to protect him from any trouble. On Xia Lei's first day at school, the introverted boy barely manages to state his name and gender before taking his seat next to Xiaoman.

Their teacher, Ms. Niu, takes the opportunity to reinforce the plant’s strict confidentiality rules. She warns the children that if anyone outside asks what the factory produces, they must strictly answer "pesticides and fertilizers," as even distant relatives could be spies. Xiaoman, never one to stay quiet, questions the logic of trusting close relatives who might tell their own distant family members.

His persistence earns him a mocking lecture from Ms. Niu, who tells him that if he cannot follow directions, he should just tell people he is a "little piglet" who knows nothing but eating. Life in the factory town is governed by its own unique social hierarchy. After school, the children watch the shift change, a tidal wave of workers on bicycles. Xiaoman warns Xia Lei to watch out for two things: big trucks and Mr. Ding.

Ding Guoqiang is a former platoon leader and a war hero who was wounded by an enemy’s final bullet just before victory. The injury requires monthly medication that only stays effective for one hour, creating a frantic window where he must rush home to his wife. During one of these sprints, a car driven by the newly appointed Director Meng Yunman blocks his path.

Without hesitating, Mr. Ding slaps the director and continues his race home, a feat of defiance that leaves the local kids in awe. At home, Zhang Jiaming’s life is a shadow of its former glory. Once a respected level-eight fitter, the departure of his wife turned him into a "level-eight alcoholic." He spends his evenings drinking and playing a melancholic harmonica, often turning violent when the alcohol takes hold.

Xiaoman quietly cleans the house, wondering if his life would have been more gentle if his mother had stayed. During the plant’s 24th anniversary, the school choir performs. Director Meng, showing a surprisingly forgiving nature, gives a speech about the plant's future in the new century. Mr. Ding, feeling sheepish about the earlier incident, apologizes to the director on stage while receiving his award as a model worker. The highlight of the celebration is Yan Xiaodan singing "Farewell."

Xiaoman watches from behind the curtain, captivated by the girl who is the daughter of Chief Engineer Yan Wenyuan. Despite her gentle appearance and beautiful voice, Xiaodan is a wild spirit known for climbing trees to raid bird nests and secretly lighting firecrackers. For Xiaoman, however, she is one of a kind.

After the show, Xiaoman goes to buy popsicles from a woman named Ms. Li, but they get into a heated argument when she refuses to let him store his extra popsicles while he runs home. Enraged, Xiaoman eats five popsicles on the spot to spite her, calling her a "White Bone Demon." The conflict follows him home when Ms. Li shows up for dinner as his father’s new girlfriend.

Xiaoman refuses to apologize, leading to a blowout that sends him fleeing to Xia Lei’s house. There, he experiences the warmth of a functional family for the first time, as Xia Lei’s parents, Tong Guizhen and Xia Limin, welcome him with a hearty meal. Later, Xiaoman’s frustration boils over, and he plays a prank by putting sticky soybean paste in Ms. Li's coat pocket. His father retaliates with a severe beating.

While his grandmother, He Yuexiang, treats his wounds with red medicine, she tells him stories of his grandfather’s bravery in the Korean War, assuring Xiaoman that he takes after the old hero. At school, Xiaoman is the only student to nominate Xia Lei for the model student award, showing a loyalty that Xia Lei’s mother deeply appreciates.

For a brief moment, it seems things might change at home; Zhang Jiaming stays sober one evening and plays the harmonica to lull Xiaoman to sleep. However, the next day brings a harsh reality. Grandma delivers the news that Zhang Jiaming has left for the south with Ms. Li, seeking a world beyond the confines of the East Chemical Plant. He leaves a note explaining that he does not want to be trapped in such a small place forever. Without a tear, Xiaoman packs his few belongings and moves in with his grandmother, closing one chapter of his life in the factory town.

The sudden departure of his mother, followed soon after by his father, Zhang Jiaming, left Zhang Xiaoman in a state of shock. Unable to understand why his parents would abandon their home for the "outside world," Xiaoman decided to run away to find his father and demand an explanation. His loyal friends, Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan, insisted on joining him.

As they followed the railroad tracks, Xia Lei spoke of his fascination with bridges, seeing them as mysterious links between different places, while he found railways too rigid. When Yan Xiaodan shared her dream of looking out from the factory’s highest point—the "Big Hero Hall"—to see the distant mountains, Xiaoman’s resentment boiled over. Their curiosity for the world beyond reminded him too much of his parents' abandonment, and he angrily ran off into the woods.

Back at the factory, the parents were in a frenzy. The news of the missing children spread quickly, and a volunteer search was organized. Ding Guoqiang, a labor model who had just returned from a medical injection at the hospital and was about to spend some "private time" with his wife, Zhou Huiying, immediately dropped everything to join the search.

The three children, meanwhile, had wandered deep into the mountains and sought shelter in a cave to escape a midnight rainstorm. Xia Lei worried that his mother, Tong Guizhen, would forbid him from playing with Xiaoman again out of anger. Xiaoman offered to take the blame, but Xia Lei refused to lie. Huddled by a fire, the two boys made a solemn vow to remain best friends for life.

Xiaoman quietly wondered if he had been abandoned because he wasn't good enough, but Xia Lei encouraged him to stay true to himself. At dawn, the trio found themselves near the factory’s public cemetery, where Xiaoman’s grandfather was buried. Recognizing the location, they followed the sound of the factory’s morning radio broadcast of "Ode to the Motherland" to find their way back. However, while crossing the Huiliu River, Xiaoman slipped and fell into the water.

Fortunately, Ding Guoqiang was nearby and pulled him to safety. In the aftermath, the community rallied around Xiaoman and his grandmother, He Yuexiang. Neighbor Xia Limin even used old bearings and wood to build a custom cart for He Yuexiang to help her move her goods. Six years passed, and by 1996, the vegetable stall had evolved into a newsstand. The once boyish Xiaoman had grown into a tall, clever young man.

On the first day of his second year in high school, he arrived at the gates with Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan. They witnessed the school’s principal reprimanding the local bully, Feng Xiaobo, and an eccentric student named Zhuang Sen, whose trendy Western clothes drew both laughter and scolding. In the classroom, their new homeroom teacher, Ms. Tong, introduced a transfer student from Beijing named Meng Ge.

During the selection of class officers, Ms. Tong appointed Meng Ge as the study monitor and Yan Xiaodan to another post. Despite having the highest grades in the previous year, Xia Lei was relegated to the role of labor monitor. He returned home discouraged, feeling he had lost the position to Meng Ge simply because she was the factory director’s daughter.

His father, Xia Limin, lightened the mood with a joke, telling him that while he should aim for top universities, he shouldn't "take too big a step, or he'd pull his crotch." The peace was short-lived when Feng Xiaobo targeted Xiaoman, demanding 100 yuan. Xiaoman tried to distract him by offering a book called "Guidance for the Newlyweds" featuring color pictures, but the bully wouldn't back down.

Pushed to his limit, Xiaoman pulled a stick from his bag and struck Feng, chasing him onto a windowsill. As a crowd gathered, Yan Xiaodan arrived and doused the bully with a bucket of cold water, much to the amusement of the other students. When He Yuexiang heard of the fight, she disciplined Xiaoman with a rolling pin, fearing he was becoming a thug.

Xiaoman promised to stay on the right path, and his grandmother reminded him that a man's true strength lies in his mind, not his fists. Soon after, Ms. Tong assigned Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan to perform a poetry recitation for the school variety show. While Xiaoman felt a pang of loneliness as his friends practiced, Xia Lei became increasingly infatuated with Meng Ge.

After catching Xia Lei daydreaming over a poem titled "If I Love You" and seeing the name "Madeleine" (Meng Ge's English name) written inside, his mother, Tong Guizhen, grew concerned about a premature romance and confiscated the book.

Tong Guizhen, Xia Lei’s mother, privately convinced the homeroom teacher to separate her son and Meng Ge, the girl from Beijing. This public seating change confirmed Xia Lei’s infatuation to the entire school, leading him to lock himself in his room for a hunger strike. Outside the door, a dramatic scene unfolded as Tong Guizhen threatened to jump off the building if he didn't eat, while his father, Xia Limin, desperately played the mediator.

During the chaos, Zhang Xiaoman arrived at the window with a dish of shredded kelp. Sensing Xia Lei’s frustration, the two boys escaped out the window and slid down the heating pipes to a nearby park. There, Xiaoman pointed out that Xia Lei was actually lucky to have a mother who cared so much and suggested he should have communicated calmly instead of losing his temper. As the school’s Arts Performance approached, Zhang Xiaoman helped find poems for the recital.

Though he wasn't part of the program, he watched Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan rehearse "To the Oak Tree" so intently that he memorized the entire poem. On the morning of the performance, Xia Lei realized that Xiaoman’s interest in the rehearsal was actually rooted in his feelings for Yan Xiaodan.

To give his friend a chance, Xia Lei deliberately ate raw onions with soybean paste until his voice became a raspy croak, using his "illness" as an excuse to recommend Xiaoman as his substitute. Under the spotlight, Xiaoman and Yan Xiaodan looked like a perfect pair as they recited the verses. Watching from the audience, Xia Lei felt a mixture of pride and a touch of sadness.

Back home, He Yuexiang watched the televised broadcast, but her failing eyesight made it hard to see her grandson on the small screen. Xiaoman later promised her that next time, he would ensure she could watch him from the front row. A few days later, the trendy Zhuang Sen lectured the boys on the difference between being handsome and being cool, arguing that while handsomeness meets expectations, "coolness" comes from breaking them.

To prove his point, he showed off his expensive new pager and took Xiaoman to Wang Tieda’s pool hall. Zhuang Sen was shocked to see Wang Tieda sporting a stylish "Aaron Kwok" hairstyle, feeling his status as a trendsetter was threatened. He immediately decided that he and Xiaoman needed to learn the guitar and perform at the plant’s anniversary celebration to reclaim their "cool" status. While knitting in the courtyard, He Yuexiang spoke to Xiaoman about his parents.

She revealed that his father, Zhang Jiaming, had been a local musician and his mother a talented dancer; the two had actually met during an anniversary performance years ago. Though his parents were gone, Xiaoman comforted his grandmother by promising never to leave her. During the anniversary auditions, Xiaoman and Zhuang Sen performed a spirited version of "We Workers Have the Power" and successfully made the cut.

Determined to get his grandmother a front-row seat for the show, Xiaoman approached Director Liu. The director explained that the best seats were reserved for leaders and model workers. Xiaoman tried to claim a seat by mentioning his grandfather’s military service, but he lacked the medals or certificates required for proof. When he asked his grandmother about the medals, she explained that his grandfather didn't fight for pieces of paper and that true heroism was about sacrifice, not certificates.

This conversation deeply moved Xiaoman, inspiring him to want to join the army one day. Meanwhile, Zhuang Sen’s attempt to blackmail Director Liu for tickets backfired, and they were briefly removed from the program. After a humble apology, Zhuang Sen struck a deal: they would help distribute all the leftover tickets to their classmates if the director gave them one prime seat. Director Liu relented and gave Xiaoman a ticket in the second row. Zhang Xiaoman hurried home to share the news with his grandmother, who proudly began measuring him for a new pair of wool pants.

Outside the school gates, Zhang Xiaoman and Zhuang Sen struggled to distribute tickets for the upcoming anniversary celebration of the Donghua Plant. Zhuang Sen tried to drum up excitement by shouting like a street vendor, calling himself and Xiaoman superstars, but the passing students remained largely indifferent. Observing their lack of progress, Yan Xiaodan stepped in to help. With a much more natural and persuasive approach, she quickly cleared out the remaining tickets.

Watching her work, Zhuang Sen was deeply impressed. Xiaoman explained with a touch of pride that she was the host for the plant's anniversary gala. On the day of the event, Ding Guoqiang looked around the sparsely populated auditorium with a sigh. He complained to his wife about the dull atmosphere, suggesting that even some simple firecrackers would have helped liven things up.

He noted that the dwindling attendance and lack of energy were clear reflections of the factory's declining state. Meanwhile, He Yuexiang finished folding a pair of unfinished wool pants she was knitting. She took the ticket Xiaoman had given her from a small box, locked her door, and made her way toward the performance. The gala proceeded with traditional recitations and choral acts.

Backstage, Xiaoman kept peering out at the audience, but he couldn't find his grandmother in the second row. When it was finally time for their act, Yan Xiaodan coordinated the lighting from behind the scenes, plunging the hall into momentary darkness. When the lights flashed back on, Xiaoman and Zhuang Sen stood on stage in stylish new outfits.

They began with a few lines of a traditional worker's song before suddenly transitioning into a high-energy rock rendition of "Really Love You." The younger audience members erupted in cheers and rushed toward the stage to dance. While Sun Lulu watched Xiaoman with admiration, Xiaoman’s own gaze found Yan Xiaodan’s across the crowded room. However, the factory director was outraged by the modern performance, viewing it as a breach of decorum.

He ordered security to drag the two boys off stage amidst the boos of the crowd. Seeing Xiaoman’s dejection afterward, Zhuang Sen tried to console him, remarking that the darkest hour is always just before the dawn. When Xiaoman returned home, his grandmother was nowhere to be found. He searched the streets near the venue and eventually came across a crowd gathered outside the performance site.

Pushing through, he found He Yuexiang sitting on a park bench, appearing as though she had simply fallen asleep. He rushed to embrace her, but the reality of her passing soon set in as Ding Guoqiang and other neighbors arrived to help carry her away. Xiaoman broke down in a fit of grief, clinging to her until the others gently pulled him back.

The neighbors watched with heavy hearts, and Mrs. Ding tearfully advised him that he must let her go in peace, warning that his tears should not fall on her face or she would leave this world with a heavy heart. Following the funeral, Xiaoman began the somber task of tidying his grandmother’s belongings. He took a box of small cushions she had sewn for the factory and delivered them to Department Head Liu.

During this time, Ding Guoqiang officially volunteered to be Xiaoman’s guardian. It was then revealed that Xiaoman’s father, Zhang Jiaming, had died in an accident while working in the south. Manager Liu instructed Mr. Ding to prepare the necessary paperwork and informed Xiaoman that the factory would provide him with a monthly allowance of one hundred yuan. He was also told he was welcome to eat at the factory cafeteria at any time.

Touched by their support, Xiaoman gave the two men a deep, respectful bow. Later, Xiaoman went to the Ding residence for dinner, where the couple had prepared a lavish spread. They showered him with excessive care, peeling fruit and opening sodas while Mr. Ding stayed busy at the stove to ensure every dish was perfect. The overwhelming kindness made Xiaoman’s throat tighten, and he began to cry into his bowl of rice.

The Dings were moved to tears as well, with Mr. Ding even turning away to wipe his eyes with the window curtain. After the meal, Xiaoman took the leftovers back to his quiet house. Tong Guizhen visited him later that evening, lighting incense before He Yuexiang’s portrait and reassuring him that the community would ensure he was well-cared for. Xiaoman’s friends also stepped up to support him.

Yan Xiaodan arrived with steamed buns her mother had made, and Xia Lei brought over a stir-fried dish from his family. Their presence brought a temporary sense of warmth back to the house, though Xiaoman still felt a profound emptiness. During those difficult days, he often went to the pool hall to vent his frustration by punching a tattered sandbag in the corner. Wang Tieda took him out for a fast ride on his motorcycle to help clear his mind.

Sharing his own experiences of loss, Wang Tieda encouraged him to focus on the future. Xiaoman finally admitted that he wanted to join the military, a goal that Wang Tieda fully supported, even suggesting that Xiaoman continue training his boxing. At school, Xiaoman noticed a recruitment poster for the Aviation Academy and began to dream of becoming a pilot. Yan Xiaodan shared her own ambitions, mentioning her plan to go to Beijing for a hosting competition.

With the newsstand closed and his finances tight, Xiaoman looked for a way to earn money quickly and reached out to Zhigang. Zhigang’s method was questionable; he and his crew would dig holes in a muddy dirt road, wait for vehicles to get stuck, and then charge fifty yuan as a "hardship fee" to push them out. Their first target was Director Hou from the factory.

Though he was initially unwilling to pay, his car only sank deeper into the mud as he tried to accelerate out. He eventually relented and handed over the fifty yuan, but he took careful note of Xiaoman’s face among the group. Shortly after, another vehicle became trapped in the same spot. When Xiaoman looked up, his heart sank. The passengers in the car were Mr. Yan and Yan Xiaodan. As Xiaoman tried to hide his face, Zhigang called out to him for help, drawing Yan Xiaodan’s immediate attention.

Under the persistent urging of Zhigang, Zhang Xiaoman reluctantly helped push a car out of a muddy pit. However, the incident left him feeling deeply awkward around Yan Xiaodan, especially after Zhigang teased him about Xiaodan being his "little girlfriend" and claimed he hadn't charged the driver a cent only for Xiaoman's sake. To avoid the embarrassment associated with the roadside scam, Xiaoman began avoiding Xiaodan at school.

Meanwhile, Sun Lulu had become completely infatuated with Xiaoman after seeing his performance. She began visiting his classroom frequently, using complex math problems as an excuse to seek help from Meng Ge, though her eyes remained fixed on the door, waiting for Xiaoman to appear. One afternoon, while Xiaoman and Dongdong were playing with a ball in the classroom, the ball went off course and struck Lulu directly in the forehead.

While Dongdong panicked and made a melodramatic scene about not being able to live if something happened to her, Xiaoman simply picked her up and ran toward the infirmary, a scene witnessed by a silent Xiaodan. Lulu was delighted by the attention, and even after being patched up, she remained convinced that Xiaoman was her hero. Dongdong, who harbored his own feelings for Lulu, misinterpreted her reaction as lingering anger.

Seeking a way to apologize with a "sense of ritual," he begged Xiaoman to ghostwrite an apology letter for him. As school let out, Xiaoman intercepted Lulu and handed her the letter. This sparked a double misunderstanding: Lulu assumed the letter expressed Xiaoman’s own feelings, while Xiaodan, watching from a distance, grew resentful, believing Xiaoman was sending Lulu a love letter.

Tensions between Xiaoman and Xiaodan deepened until she learned from her family that Director Hou had limited the pilot recruitment brochures to cadres' children. Recognizing Xiaoman's dream of flying, she secretly tucked a brochure into his desk. However, Lulu found it first. After comparing the handwriting to the unsigned apology letter, Lulu was certain both were from Xiaoman. She handed him the brochure herself, letting him believe she was the one supporting his ambitions.

Confused by the lack of application details, Xiaoman sought advice from Director Hou, who dismissed him by claiming the recruitment process was strictly for those with high motivation and impeccable character. Xia Lei suggested asking Yan Wenyuan for help, but Xiaoman refused to face Xiaodan or her father while they were still in a "cold war." Instead, Xiaoman, Xia Lei, and Dongdong set up a makeshift training camp at a spot they called the Mahavira Hall.

They focused on lung capacity, with Xiaoman holding his breath in a large water bucket for three minutes while his friends joked about "Sima Guang smashing the vat" in case he passed out. Xiaodan watched them from the shadows, eventually softening her stance and drafting a professional training plan. She gave it to Xia Lei, swearing him to secrecy. To further the training, Ding Guoqiang welded professional-grade equipment for Xiaoman to practice anti-vertigo techniques.

After a series of intense spins and a successful "elephant spin" test where he walked a straight line, a dizzy Xiaoman accidentally stumbled into Xiaodan's arms. Feeling confident, he returned to Director Hou to formally apply, only to be met with a cold rejection. Hou revealed that he remembered Xiaoman from the roadside incident and judged his moral character as flawed, accusing him of being a scammer.

Xiaoman’s frustration boiled over until he discovered that both the brochure and the detailed training plan had actually come from Xiaodan. He went to her to express his gratitude and clarify that the letter Lulu received was actually written for Dongdong, finally ending their conflict. Indignant on Xiaoman's behalf, Xia Lei decided to take action against Director Hou’s unfairness and sneaked into the school at night. To his surprise, he found Xiaodan there with the same intent.

Working together in the dark corridors, they used ink and paper to create numerous large-character posters. They detailed Hou’s practice of favoritism and his decision to only register his own nephew for the pilot recruitment. By the time the school day began, they had covered the bulletin boards and walls with posters demanding equal opportunity and "Support for Zhang Xiaoman." Director Hou arrived to find the entire school body staring at the evidence of his misconduct, leaving him stunned and speechless.

One morning, Director Hou burst into the classroom clutching the criticism posters that had been plastered across the school. Interrupting Mr. Gu’s lesson, he demanded that the culprit step forward, threatening a handwriting analysis if no one confessed. To protect his friends, Zhang Xiaoman stood up and took full responsibility. Director Hou, seeing his suspicions confirmed, lashed out at Xiaoman for his perceived lack of character and immediately declared his expulsion.

The classroom erupted as Xiaoman’s friends refused to let him take the fall. Xia Lei stood up, claiming he wrote the posters and urged the teacher to check his handwriting. Yan Xiaodan admitted she had printed the flyers and helped post them, while the quiet Meng Ge confessed to providing the content. Facing a united front of some of the school’s top students, a frustrated Director Hou was forced to summon their parents to resolve the matter.

The parents arrived with differing attitudes. While Tong Guizhen scolded Xia Lei for his recklessness, Ding Guoqiang expressed a hidden pride in the children’s boldness. During the meeting, Yan Wenyuan took the lead in negotiations. He skillfully praised Director Hou’s reputation before subtly pointing out that if a formal investigation occurred, the posters’ claims about recruitment errors might reflect poorly on the school's management.

Realizing the potential damage to his own career, Director Hou shifted the blame to the head teacher, Tong Yue’e, for failing to communicate properly, and moved to minimize the incident. Seeking a compromise, Director Hou retracted the expulsion and agreed to add Zhang Xiaoman’s name to the pilot recruitment recommendation list. He even made a show of calling the Recruitment Office, describing Xiaoman as an excellent candidate. However, the dream was cut short when the officer asked for Xiaoman's height.

At 1. 87 meters, Xiaoman exceeded the maximum limit of 1. 85 meters. Though his dream was crushed, Xiaoman laughed it off, jokingly blaming the "everyone's food" he ate growing up for making him so tall. As a final penalty, the school ordered Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan to clean the teaching building for a month. Later, Meng Ge pointed out that Sun Lulu had stopped visiting because she realized Xiaoman was only delivering a letter for Dongdong.

Meng Ge teased Xiaodan for being jealous—a feeling Xiaodan denied despite her true emotions. By the summer of 1997, the group gathered at their hangout, the "Mahavira Hall," to witness the historic return of Hong Kong. Zhang Xiaoman created a magical atmosphere with giant soap bubbles that reflected the city lights.

Watching them, Meng Ge mused that the people of the East Chemical Plant were living in a bubble themselves, largely unaware of the vast changes occurring in the outside world. As the midnight bell tolled and the national anthem played on television, a spectacular firework display—produced by their own factory—filled the sky. The friends watched with hope, unaware that the gears of time were shifting toward a more uncertain future.

As the economic downturn hit the plant hard, Wang Tieda decided to head south and arranged to sell his pool hall. However, the deal soured when the buyer, Mr. Li, insulted the factory’s prospects and tried to lowball the price. Tieda ultimately called off the transaction to defend the factory’s honor. Meanwhile, Tieda’s girlfriend, Nana, refused a stable job arranged by her father, wanting to follow Tieda south instead.

Tieda refused to take her, wanting her to have a secure life, which led to a heated argument. Xiaoman supported Tieda’s choice to protect her, but Yan Xiaodan believed that those in love should face hardships together. As mock exams approached, Tong Guizhen went to the market to buy fish to nourish Xia Lei’s brain.

She ended up in a dispute with a neighbor, Wang Chunhua, who mocked her as a "spiritual millionaire"—accusing her of putting on airs while having no money. Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan was anxious about her math performance. Her father promised that if she ranked in the top fifty in the upcoming mock exam, he would take her to Beijing for a hosting competition. Desperate to help Xiaodan, Xia Lei devised a plan to pass her the answers using a coded ruler.

During the exam, while the proctor, Mr. Gu, was distracted by a magazine, the two attempted to exchange the ruler but were caught red-handed. Although Tong Yue’e rushed to the scene and tried to argue there was no visible evidence of cheating on the ruler, the guilt-stricken Xia Lei and Xiaodan confessed. A disappointed Mr. Gu followed protocol, and both students were given zero points for the exam.

The academic cheating scandal brings devastating consequences for Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan, as their scores are invalidated and Xia Lei’s guaranteed university admission is revoked. Feeling he has failed his parents, Xia Lei approaches Zhang Xiaoman to borrow three hundred yuan, claiming he lost his deskmate Li Ao’s Walkman and needs to replace it. Xiaoman, preoccupied with a construction project, scrapes together all the cash he has—a mix of fifties and hundreds—to help his friend.

Though he notices Xia Lei seems unusually down, Xiaoman assumes it is just stress and remains unaware of any plan to run away. He even tells Xia Lei not to worry about a quick repayment, suggesting he just treat him to a few home-cooked meals instead. The truth emerges when Xiaoman goes to deliver magazines to Wang Tieda. He encounters a frantic Yan Xiaodan, who informs him that Xia Lei has gone missing following the exam disgrace.

Realizing the borrowed money was likely for a train ticket, they rush to the station while Wang Tieda and Zhigang also join the search. At the station, Xia Lei witnesses a heart-wrenching scene where a mother finds her lost son, Xiang. She scolds the boy through her tears, telling him that while a train ticket can be replaced, he cannot. This encounter touches Xia Lei deeply, causing him to rethink abandoning his family.

Instead of boarding a train, Xia Lei heads to an old bridge they frequented as children. Xiaoman follows a hunch and brings Xiaodan there, arriving just in time to see someone jump into the river. Despite his paralyzing fear of water, Xiaoman plunges in to help, only to find Xia Lei already in the middle of a rescue. Together, they pull a girl named Ye Chunchun to the shore.

She had attempted to end her life to escape her father’s constant domestic violence. As they sit by the river, the three friends offer her comfort. Xiaoman shares stories of his own father's discipline with an electrician's belt to show her she isn't alone. Xia Lei, moved by her plight, hands over all the borrowed money to her. Xiaoman doesn't stop him but reminds Ye Chunchun that the money represents his entire net worth and should eventually be returned.

When Xiaodan finally returns home, she overhears her parents discussing their deep concern for her. They compare the pressure she feels to a spring that needs occasional relief, and their genuine care leaves her feeling a heavy sense of guilt. That night, tragedy strikes the group from another direction. Dongdong arrives with the news that Wang Tieda was arrested while searching for Xia Lei.

He had been provoked into a fight by Mr. Li and his men, and he eventually receives a prison sentence for the brawl. Before being taken away, Tieda leaves his boxing gear and motorcycle to Xiaoman, urging the younger boys not to follow his troubled path. Xia Lei is left devastated by the realization that his actions indirectly led to Tieda's downfall. A surprising change of heart occurs at the market between the rival mothers.

When Wang Chunhua hears that Xia Lei failed his exam and briefly ran away, she drops her usual biting sarcasm toward Tong Guizhen. Instead, she warmly helps Guizhen pick out a fresh fish for her son, offering words of encouragement about Xia Lei's bright future and rounding down the price. Guizhen is deeply moved by this unexpected kindness. At school, Teacher Tong Yue'e delivers the final decision on the cheating incident.

While the disciplinary action is mandatory, she explains that it will only be permanently recorded if they fail to improve during their senior year. She tells them that these setbacks are merely temporary hurdles. Reassured, Xia Lei promises to work hard to earn his way into university through the standard exams. As summer arrives, the Yan family travels to Shanghai to visit Yan Wenyuan’s old classmate, Old Chen.

During a lavish dinner, Yan Wenyuan explores the possibility of a job transfer, as the East Chemical Plant’s future looks increasingly bleak. Xiaodan meets Old Chen’s son, Chen Guoqing, an aspiring translator. While the parents reminisce, Xiaodan finds the sweet Shanghai cuisine unappealing, admitting she misses the local flavors of home. Back at the factory, Ye Chunchun finds Xiaoman to repay the money Xia Lei gave her. Meanwhile, Zhuang Sen prepares to leave for Beijing to pursue his musical dreams.

He borrows some money from Xiaoman and, in exchange, leaves behind his cherished guitar, reminding Xiaoman that the show must go on. With the newsstand business failing, Xiaoman sells his remaining stock to an old scavenger. He takes a job delivering liquefied gas for Mr. Zhao, who is Feng Xiaobo's uncle. The work is grueling, and Auntie Li, worried about him losing his voice from shouting his pitch, gifts him a tape recorder to use instead.

When Xiaodan finally returns from her trip, Xiaoman and Xia Lei prepare a special welcome dinner. Though they cook several sweet dishes thinking they are catering to her Shanghai roots, Xiaodan reveals she is sick of sweets and craves local pickled cabbage. Not wanting to disappoint her, Xiaoman immediately heads out to the neighbors to find exactly what she wants.

Yan Xiaodan is devastated when her parents forbid her from traveling to Beijing for a hosting competition following a poor mock exam result. Zhang Xiaoman finds her watering a neighbor's field and, determined to help her, offers his entire savings of over 300 yuan. He explains that the money came from his factory subsidies and extra work, intended specifically to invest in her dream.

Touched by his selflessness, Xiaodan promises to stay by his side regardless of what the future holds. Xiaoman soon contacts Zhuang Sen, who is currently working on a film set in Beijing. Using a borrowed "brick" phone, Zhuang Sen remembers the competition and promises to find a professional to coach Xiaodan, while also urging Xiaoman to buy a pager so they can stay in touch. The next day, Xiaoman and Xia Lei visit a second-hand market.

Despite the high price of 600 yuan, Xiaoman chooses a pager with a Chinese display after the vendor convinces him it will make him look sophisticated. However, the purchase is nearly derailed when the vendor discovers that one of Xiaoman’s 50-yuan bills is counterfeit. Xiaoman immediately returns to the LPG filling station to confront Boss Zhao and his wife, as he had recently received his wages there. The couple stubbornly denies the claim, with the wife questioning Xiaoman’s basic trust.

Realizing they have no intention of replacing the bill, Xiaoman is forced to accept the loss, later taping the counterfeit note to a box as a reminder to stay on guard. Meanwhile, Xia Lei’s mother, Tong Guizhen, begins selling Ginseng Royal Jelly to save for her son's tuition. Xiaoman helps promote the product while making gas deliveries and brings some to Ding Guoqiang’s house as a gift.

While there, he notices the flame on their stove is weak and attempts to empty the residual liquid from the gas tank in the yard. Ding Guoqiang arrives home just in time to stop him, warning that the explosive gas could have leveled the building. This incident makes Xiaoman suspicious of the filling station. He notices that the canisters are lighter than they should be and the filling process is suspiciously fast.

Though Feng Xiaobo tries to distract him, the Boss’s wife slips Xiaoman an extra 100 yuan to keep him quiet, confirming his suspicions of fraud. Xiaoman shares his discovery with Ding Guoqiang, who advises him to turn a blind eye, noting that such corruption is common. However, after seeing a news report about a tragic gas explosion, Xiaoman can no longer ignore the safety hazards.

He sneaks into the station and catches Boss Zhao, his wife, and Feng Xiaobo tampering with the gas tanks. Xiaoman reports the station to the Security Department, leading to it being shut down and earning him the permanent enmity of Feng Xiaobo. Since Xia Lei is under strict supervision following a previous attempt to run away, Xiaoman and Xiaodan set off for Beijing alone on the night train.

During the journey, Xiaoman awkwardly tries to care for Xiaodan by mimicking the attentive behavior of a romantic couple nearby, offering her snacks and wiping her mouth, which she finds both sweet and amusing. Upon arrival, Zhuang Sen introduces them to a security guard named Liu, who has self-studied broadcasting for five years. Although Liu provides some tips, he warns Xiaoman that their last-minute preparation is mostly for peace of mind.

He also scolds Xiaoman for the irresponsibility of taking an underage girl so far from home with only a note left for her parents. Xiaodan eventually loses the competition, failing to realize her dream. Despite the disappointment, Xiaoman comforts her as they head back, promising that once the college entrance exams are over, they will return to Beijing as adults to properly visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

Upon returning home, Xiaoman finds Ding Guoqiang bedridden with severe diarrhea. It turns out that he and many other neighbors have fallen ill after drinking the royal jelly Tong Guizhen sold them. An angry neighbor, Third Aunt, arrives to demand a refund and compensation. To settle the matter, Xia Limin is forced to use his private stash of savings to pay back the neighbors.

Although Tong Guizhen is devastated that her attempt to save for Xia Lei’s tuition resulted in a financial loss, Xia Limin patiently consoles her, reminding her that they can always start over.

Upon his return from Beijing, Zhang Xiaoman was immediately surrounded by classmates eager for news of the capital. He began to boast about his experiences, mentioning a legendary security guard he met at a university and a mysterious alley inhabited by an old woman known as "Judge Ma'am." However, his excitement was quickly dampened when Meng Ge dismissively remarked that locals were already tired of the usual spots like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

When Dongdong inquired about the host competition results, Xiaoman vaguely replied that the process was more important than the outcome. Xiaodan soon entered the classroom with a heavy heart, her presence confirming that she had not won the competition. The school was in a state of disorder because several subject teachers had been hospitalized after consuming tainted royal jelly sold by Xia Lei’s mother.

During a chaotic self-study session, Director Hou questioned the class about the noise, and Xiaoman explained that the faculty had been decimated by illness. Feeling the weight of the scandal, Xia Lei returned home and angrily confronted his mother, Tong Guizhen, for selling shoddy products. His father, Xia Limin, stepped in to defend his wife, scolding his son and explaining that she worked day and night to save money for his future education.

After Xia Lei retreated to his room, Xia Limin stayed behind to comfort the tearful Tong Guizhen, even drinking the jelly himself to show his support. Late that night, Xiaoman climbed through Xia Lei’s window to take him for a walk. They sat atop an old locomotive in the quiet factory looking at the stars.

Xiaoman’s mood was somber; he had overheard that Yan Wenyuan had received a transfer order and that Xiaodan would be moving to Shanghai after the college entrance exam. He lamented that while everyone else was moving on to college or new cities, he would be left behind. Xia Lei comforted him with a metaphor his mother often used: people at a station leave in different ways—some in private cars, some on buses, and some stay behind.

He urged Xiaoman not to give up, suggesting that if they both worked hard, they could eventually stay on the same train. The following day, Xiaodan accompanied Xiaoman to a sports school for testing. The coach, Teacher Gang, saw great potential in him and suggested he aim directly for a sports academy rather than a junior college. Xiaodan was overjoyed and shared her own dream of studying architectural design at Tongzhou University in Shanghai.

She encouraged Xiaoman to aim for a school there so they could stay together. Although Xiaoman remained quiet, Xiaodan reassured him that her heart would never change regardless of where they were. Yan Wenyuan, having noticed the bond between the two, visited Xiaoman to deliver some Shanghai dishes prepared by his wife. During their conversation, he subtly hinted that Xiaodan needed to focus entirely on her studies for the upcoming exam.

Treating Xiaoman as a man, he requested a man-to-man agreement that they keep their distance until the exams were over. Xiaoman understood and promised not to interfere with her future. Consequently, he began to avoid Xiaodan, even failing to show up when she waited for him on a rainy rooftop. While Xiaoman initially lied about being on the rooftop, Xiaodan discovered he had set off a firework at the Mahavira Hall on a Friday night just for her.

They made a pact to set off a firework every Friday at exactly 9:17 PM as a way of keeping each other company despite the distance. On another rainy night, Xiaoman broke his rule of keeping distance to walk Xiaodan home for her safety. At the mouth of an alley, they were ambushed by Feng Xiaobo and a group of thugs armed with iron bars.

Xiaoman shielded Xiaodan from the blows, but when she tried to help by throwing a brick at Feng Xiaobo, the situation turned violent. To protect her, Xiaoman fought back with everything he had, eventually knocking Feng Xiaobo unconscious. He urged Xiaodan to go home and keep the night's events a secret, promising to take the blame. Despite his severe injuries, he still dragged himself to the hall to light the 9:17 PM firework.

The next day, Xiaoman arrived at school with a bruised face, claiming he had lost a boxing match. However, rumors were flying that Feng Xiaobo had been killed. During a sports session, the police arrived to arrest Xiaoman for intentional assault. Xiaoman calmly confessed and was led away in handcuffs while a devastated Xiaodan chased after the police car. Back at home, Xiaodan confessed the truth to her parents.

While her mother was terrified that her daughter's reputation would be ruined, Yan Wenyuan took a different stance. After learning that Feng Xiaobo was alive, he decided to go to the police station himself to explain the full context of the fight. He was determined to advocate for Xiaoman and ensure the boy was not treated unfairly for his attempt to protect Xiaodan.

Determined to save Zhang Xiaoman, Ding Guoqiang stormed into the East Chemical Plant carrying a rolling pin, interrupting a meeting led by Director Meng Yunman. He pleaded for the Director to use his influence to help Xiaoman, who had been detained by the police. When Meng initially refused, citing the factory’s thousands of employees and his inability to intervene in every brawl, Ding became desperate.

Believing Meng held a grudge over a slap Ding had given him years ago, Ding offered to let the Director hit him back or even kowtow in apology. Moved by Ding’s stubborn devotion to the orphaned boy, Director Meng finally agreed to accompany him to the police station. At the station, they were received by Officer Leng. Director Meng argued that the incident was a case of self-defense against Feng Xiaobo’s provocation, hoping to minimize the charges.

However, Officer Leng remained firm, stating that regardless of the provocation, Xiaoman had caused substantial harm. While it was later revealed that Feng Xiaobo had stabilized and was out of danger, the legal proceedings had already begun. During the commotion, Ding Guoqiang accidentally blurted out the truth about the death of Xiaoman’s father, Zhang Jiaming—a secret Xiaoman overheard from the hallway. Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan, who had been locked at home by her parents, managed to escape.

She rushed to the station and handed Officer Leng a formal witness statement with her thumbprint, insisting Xiaoman only fought to protect her. Officer Leng later questioned Xiaoman privately, asking why he had originally omitted the fact that Feng Xiaobo attempted to assault Xiaodan. Xiaoman admitted he didn't want the incident to jeopardize her upcoming college entrance exam. Touched by his selflessness and the evidence provided by Xiaodan, the police handled the case fairly.

However, because Xiaoman was between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, he was sentenced to six months of detention at a juvenile detention center for intentional injury. Back at school, Ms. Tong instructed the students on how to fill out their college application forms, emphasizing that these choices would define their futures. Xiaodan and Xia Lei stared at Xiaoman’s empty seat in grief. Xiaodan soon found herself in a heated conflict with her father, Yan Wenyuan, over her applications.

She insisted on applying only to Tongzhou University to stay near Xiaoman, while her father, planning their move to Shanghai, tried to force her to consider other options. Around the same time, Xia Lei's mother, Tong Guizhen, encountered a teacher, Mr. Gu, at the market. Gu strongly recommended Shanghai, citing the immense potential of the Pudong Development. This bolstered the Yans' resolve to move their daughter away. Ding Guoqiang eventually visited Xiaoman at the juvenile detention center.

He encouraged the boy, telling him that Xiaodan and Xia Lei were working hard for their exams. When they discussed the death of Xiaoman's father, Xiaoman expressed no resentment, understanding that Ding had hidden the truth to protect him during his studies. To pass the time, Xiaoman found a scarlet sage flower growing among the weeds during a labor session.

He received permission from Officer Li to transplant it into a broken basin, using the flower as a living connection to his memories of Xiaodan. Back home, Xiaodan expressed her own longing by sketching a portrait of Xiaoman. Yan Wenyuan, noticing his daughter's distraction, feigned a promise to take her to see Xiaoman after the exams as a tactical move to keep her focused.

Once the college entrance exam concluded, the Yan family shared a celebratory dinner of matsutake chicken soup. Xiaodan was eager to hold her father to his promise, even asking her mother to prepare a thermos of soup for Xiaoman. However, her mother reacted with cold disdain, viewing Xiaoman as "bad luck" and beneath their daughter. Even Yan Wenyuan, who previously felt some gratitude toward Xiaoman, now followed his wife’s lead, showing a dismissive attitude now that the exam was over.

Inside the facility, Xiaoman asked a correctional officer if any classmates had come to see him, only to be reminded that rules strictly allowed only immediate family members and guardians to visit, leaving him to face his isolation alone.

Yan Wenyuan finally gives in to his daughter’s persistence and drives Xiaodan and Xia Lei to the Tiecheng Juvenile Correctional Facility. Their hearts are full of hope, but they are met with a cold rejection at the gate. A correctional officer informs them that according to regulations, only immediate family members and legal guardians are permitted to visit. They aren't even allowed to leave behind the snacks and the small snowman they brought for Zhang Xiaoman.

Wenyuan admits that he had already looked into the rules and knew they wouldn't be allowed in, which only fuels Xiaodan's anger. She realizes her father had known this all along and had only promised the trip to keep her focused until the college entrance exam was over. Back at home, Xiaodan retreats to her room and slams the door in a fit of resentment.

Outside, her parents try to explain that their secrecy was meant to protect her future, but Xiaodan is no longer willing to listen. She pours out her grievances, explaining how she has always been a mere follower in the family’s major decisions, from the move to Shanghai to the handling of Zhang Xiaoman’s situation.

She tells them that while she didn't regret her failure in the hosting competition because she had given it her all, she would deeply regret letting others dictate her life and force her to abandon the people she cares about. As the day for exam results arrives, Xia Lei receives his admission letter from Shanghai Huigong University, but the wait for Xiaodan’s results is agonizing.

Her mother is a nervous wreck, and Wenyuan is just about to call the admissions office at Tongzhou University when Xiaodan finally reveals her admission letter. The entire family is overjoyed to learn she has been accepted into the Architectural Design program. Before leaving for university, Xiaodan and Xia Lei make one last trip to the correctional facility. They place a tape recorder against the iron gate and blast the song "Really Love You" at full volume.

When a guard comes out to drive them away, lecturing them about the strict rules of the controlled zone, they pretend to leave but sneak to the back of the facility to play the song again. They want Xiaoman to know he hasn't been forgotten. Inside the walls, Xiaoman listens to the familiar melody, and his mind fills with memories of his friends. As summer ends, the Yan family prepares to depart for Shanghai.

Since Xia Lei is also heading to a university in the same city, his parents, Xia Limin and his wife, host a farewell dinner. Wenyuan reassures them that he will look after the boy, which puts the couple at ease. Shortly after, Xiaoman receives a farewell letter from Xiaodan, confirming that the music he heard was indeed a message from her. On the train to Shanghai, Xiaodan and Xia Lei watch the East Chemical Plant fade into the distance.

Xia Limin accompanies his son to the university to help him settle in. On the journey, Xia Lei meets a fellow student nicknamed Lao Ba, who earned the name by being able to eat eight taels of rice per meal. Seeing his father’s hardworking silhouette as they say goodbye, Xia Lei feels a wave of emotion. Once the Yans are settled in Shanghai, Chen Guoqing comes to visit.

Xiaodan’s mother is incredibly welcoming, clearly hoping to pair the two of them together. At the university, Xiaodan runs into her old classmate Meng Ge and learns she is studying finance at Huadong University of Finance and Economics. While Meng Ge immediately notices Guoqing’s interest in Xiaodan, Xiaodan remains oblivious, simply happy to have achieved her goal of making it to Shanghai. One month later, Zhang Xiaoman is finally released.

Xiaodan had wanted to return to Liaoning to meet him, but her parents managed to stop her. As Ding Guoqiang prepares a celebratory meal for Xiaoman, he receives a call from Yan Wenyuan. Wenyuan speaks with veiled meaning, eventually making it clear that Xiaodan will not be returning to the Northeast and suggesting that the two youngsters are no longer a match. Infuriated by the suggestion that Xiaoman is beneath them, Ding scolds Wenyuan and slams the phone down.

After picking Xiaoman up, Ding takes him to a bathhouse to wash away the past and gives him a new set of clothes to signify a fresh start. They visit Xiaoman’s grandmother’s old home before heading back to the Ding residence. To prevent Xiaoman from being hurt by the Yans' rejection, Ding quietly unplugs the phone line and tells Xiaoman that there is a time difference between Shanghai and the Northeast.

Xiaoman eventually discovers the disconnected line and asks for the truth. Ding admits to his argument with Wenyuan but reaffirms Xiaoman’s worth, telling the boy that in his eyes, he is the best there is. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Xiaodan and Xia Lei are left worried and confused when their calls to the Ding household repeatedly fail to go through.

Early one morning, Zhang Xiaoman left a letter for Ding Guoqiang and boarded a train to Shanghai alone. Having spent his entire life within the confines of the East Chemical Plant, he was eager to see the world beyond the wall calendars he had admired for years. Upon arriving at Tongzhou University, Xiaoman felt lost in the sprawling campus until an architecture student directed him to Building No. 2.

There, he spotted Yan Xiaodan from a distance, deeply immersed in a project with her classmates. Seeing her so focused and professional made him feel a sudden, painful sense of distance. A classmate eventually noticed him, and Xiaodan rushed over for an emotional embrace. They decided to keep his arrival a secret from Xia Lei to surprise him later that evening.

On the school track at dusk, Xiaoman hid, hoping to startle his friend, but Xia Lei appeared carrying a birthday cake instead. It turned out the two had planned a belated eighteenth birthday and coming-of-age celebration for him. Surrounded by the three candles representing their bond, Xiaoman wished for them to stay together forever. After the cake, Xia Lei tactfully left the couple alone.

As they walked, Xiaoman jokingly compared their circular path to a donkey at a millstone, but Xiaodan noted that a track has no finish line—meaning they could walk together indefinitely. Under the city lights, Xiaoman gathered his courage and kissed her on the cheek. The next day, Xiaodan planned to take him to see the oak and kapok trees mentioned in a famous poem, but they were intercepted by her father, Yan Wenyuan.

During lunch at the school cafeteria, Yan Wenyuan provided a bowl of longevity noodles for Xiaoman but used the meal to deliver a reality check. He explained that he had moved the family to Shanghai specifically to give Xiaodan a future far removed from the chemical plant. Realizing the truth in these words, Xiaoman told Xiaodan that he didn't want just a few days with her; he wanted a "forever."

He decided to return to Tiexi early to begin building a life that could sustain their future together. Back home, Xiaoman mentioned moving to Shanghai to find work, but Uncle Ding strongly disagreed. He argued that manual labor on a construction site wasn't a sustainable path and insisted Xiaoman learn a proper trade like welding. Despite Xiaoman's concerns about missing enrollment and lacking exam scores, Uncle Ding promised to find a way.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Xiaodan's friend Meng Ge expressed concern that Xiaodan’s growing ambitions and curiosity about the world might eventually clash with Xiaoman’s simpler outlook on life. Ding Guoqiang and his wife soon visited Director Liu at the plant to ask for help with Xiaoman’s education. When Liu claimed the technical school was no longer under his jurisdiction, a heated argument ensued, with Uncle Ding blaming the plant's poor security for the incident that led to Xiaoman's past legal troubles.

To settle the matter, Liu suggested contacting Principal Jin Changfu, an old acquaintance who now ran the school. Uncle Ding invited Jin over for drinks, leveraging an old story of how he had once saved Jin’s hands during a fight with thieves. The plan was set: Xiaoman would audit classes as a guest student and then skip a grade after passing the exams the following year. Xiaoman soon began training in the welding workshop.

His instructor, Mr. Teng, began the first lesson with grim safety warnings, detailing fatal accidents to ensure the students respected the dangers of the trade. In class, Xiaoman reunited with his old friend Dongdong, who happily revealed he was now dating Sun Lulu, thanks to a letter Xiaoman had written for him years ago. In Shanghai, Xiaodan’s horizons continued to expand as her professor, Chen Guoqing, showed photos of European architecture, fueling her desire to see the world.

Xia Lei attended a Northeast hometown association gathering, hoping to connect with fellow provincials. The event was a mix of personalities, including the blunt Guan Shengnan and a finance student named Fan Weijie. However, the mood soured when Fan Weijie, who was trying to sell "boss belts" and phone pouches to the group, was publicly exposed for previously selling fake leather shoes to other students. As the confrontation grew awkward, Xia Lei felt out of place and left early. Fan Weijie followed him out, dropping his salesman persona to admit he was simply trying to survive the expensive city by running a small business.

Xia Lei returned to his dormitory feeling dejected after being snubbed at the hometown association gathering. He vented to his roommate, Eight, about how a fellow townsman had claimed those from the East Chemical Plant weren't true Tiecheng locals. Eight was unsurprised, explaining that the "Third Front Plant" was often viewed as its own separate world. He suggested they start their own association with Xia Lei as the president, creating a place where everyone from the plant could be brothers.

This idea helped ease Xia Lei’s frustration. Meanwhile, Chen Guoqing approached Yan Xiaodan, but before he could say much, she preemptively brought up her relationship. She told him she had a childhood boyfriend named Zhang Xiaoman and that their long-distance bond was stable with no plans for a breakup. She made it clear she only wanted to be with Xiaoman. Chen handled the rejection gracefully, admitting he had feelings for her but respected her as a younger sister.

Both felt relieved after clearing the air, agreeing to remain ordinary friends. At the East Chemical Plant technical school, Zhang Xiaoman was engrossed in his welding practice. His friend Dongdong sat nearby, complaining about the factory's declining benefits, noting that workers now received plain boiled water instead of the sugar water they used to get in winter.

Their conversation was interrupted by Mr. Zhuang, a Grade 8 turner, who scolded them for their sloppy work and for not wearing their uniforms properly. Mr. Zhuang spoke of his son, Zhuang Sen, with frustration, noting that the boy had fled the plant the moment he put on his work clothes. Xiaoman defended Zhuang Sen, insisting he had his own dreams. He and Dongdong promised to carry on the older man's legacy.

Ding Guoqiang later learned from the accountant, Zhao, that under new financial regulations, Xiaoman’s monthly 100-yuan subsidy would be cut because he had turned eighteen. Concerned that the boy would lose his only source of income, Ding personally handed Zhao one hundred yuan of his own money to continue the payments, insisting she keep it a secret. To Xiaoman, Ding was more like a father than a godfather. Meanwhile, Xiaoman was busy welding a handmade gift for Xiaodan.

Dongdong mocked the metal object, suggesting it looked like a meat cleaver or a toothbrush. Despite Dongdong’s suggestion to ask Mr. Zhuang for help, Xiaoman refused, believing a gift made by others would lack the sincerity he wanted to show Xiaodan. When the gift reached Shanghai, Xiaodan was initially puzzled by the rough metal piece. While walking, she accidentally dropped a part of it, which a cleaning lady nearly swept away as scrap.

After retrieving the piece, Xiaodan realized it was a clumsy but heartfelt sailboat. She cherished it, seeing the time and energy Xiaoman had put into it. As winter break approached, Xiaodan hoped to return to the plant, but her parents refused, insisting she visit relatives in Shanghai to integrate into the city. Her mother eventually promised she could return during the summer. When Xia Lei returned home for the break, Xiaoman was waiting for him.

They felt the absence of Xiaodan, but the two friends immediately headed to the bathhouse. Soaking in the hot water, Xia Lei complained about the harsh Shanghai winters, where the damp cold was more penetrating than the dry cold back home. He described waking up from leg cramps and sleeping with a hot water bottle that would turn ice-cold by morning. He admitted that the city’s vastness made him feel like a lonely "rootless duckweed."

On New Year’s Eve in 1998, Xiaoman and Xia Lei stayed at Xia’s home, using a twenty-meter-long telephone cord to bring the phone to the window so they could watch the fireworks with Xiaodan. As the sky lit up, the three friends counted down together and shouted their New Year's greetings across the line. Once the break ended, Xia Lei returned to school, where Fan Weijie tried to sell the roommates trendy leather jackets.

While the others were uninterested, the encounter highlighted the growing consumerism of the city. Back at the plant, Ding Guoqiang asked Xiaoman about his future. Xiaoman remained firm, stating he would follow Xiaodan wherever she went. In Shanghai, Meng Ge noticed Xiaodan’s interest in European architecture and suggested she study abroad. Though tempted, Xiaodan declined, not wanting to be separated from Xiaoman.

Later, Fan Weijie took Xia Lei to a computer experience zone and spoke about the wonders of the internet and paperless offices. Xia Lei was fascinated by the speed of information, especially after finding the East Chemical Plant quarters online. He even visited Xiaodan’s house to surf the web, and her mother, seeing them together, secretly thought they were a good match. Eventually, Xia Lei and Eight decided to buy a second-hand computer from Fan on an installment plan.

To save money for a trip to Shanghai, Xiaoman began taking on private pipeline projects. When Dongdong asked to borrow money for his dates with Lulu, Xiaoman convinced him to join the project instead. However, their lack of experience led to a disaster. Failing to account for the water pressure from the building's pumps, they caused pipes to burst, flooding the hallway. Ding Guoqiang had to step in to fix the mess and apologize to the angry neighbors.

The next day at the technical school, Mr. Zhuang publicly shamed them, mockingly introducing them as "Nezha" and "Sun Wukong" for their "heroic" flooding of the building. He warned the class that without proper skills, they would be nothing.

The failed pipeline project left Zhang Xiaoman not only without profit but also facing a significant debt that wiped out his hard-earned savings. Seeing his distress, Dongdong offered all his money, leaving himself with only a few crumpled bills. Xiaoman, well aware of Dongdong's own financial struggles, firmly refused the help. When Dongdong noticed a "Summer Vacation Plan for Shanghai" on the table, Xiaoman dismissed it, saying it was no longer important compared to the immediate problem of the compensation.

That night, Xiaoman called Yan Xiaodan from a public telephone. He lied, claiming he had to attend a training camp and couldn't visit her in Shanghai. To his surprise, Xiaodan shared that she was planning to return to the plant for the summer because she missed him. The news instantly lifted Xiaoman’s spirits, and his previous worries vanished. By the summer of 1999, Xiaodan and Xia Lei arrived home on the same train.

At the platform, Xiaoman and Xiaodan shared a tight embrace until Xia Lei’s parents jokingly reminded them of the public setting. Because Xiaodan’s parents had requested it, she stayed at the Xia home. Tong Guizhen had meticulously prepared a room for her with fresh bedding and new toiletries. Meanwhile, Xia Lei found himself relegated to the sofa, while Xiaoman jokingly offered him a spot on his family's traditional "kang".

Xiaoman later took Xiaodan to his old house, which he had scrubbed clean. On the table sat a gleaming model of the "Mahavira Hall" reaction tower that he had welded himself. Xiaodan was stunned by the detail, noting it was better than the work of senior students at her university. When Xiaoman showed her that the model could light up and produce smoke like a functioning machine, she was so moved that she kissed him.

Later, the group of old friends reunited at the actual site of the tower. They reminisced about childhood "fireworks battles" and arm-wrestled to settle old scores. Looking at the silent chimneys, Xiaoman remembered exactly when each one had stopped smoking, starting with the smelting plant during their sophomore year. On a Friday night, fireworks illuminated the sky above the tower. Recognizing the sign, Xiaodan ran toward the site, calling Xiaoman’s name.

He met her with a smile, reminding her that he had promised to set off fireworks for her every Friday at 9:17 PM. Together, they held sparklers and enjoyed a beautiful evening. As summer drew to a close, Xia Limin and Tong Guizhen helped Xia Lei and Xiaodan pack. Tong Guizhen insisted on filling Xiaodan's luggage with local delicacies like honey fungi, wood ear fungi, and corn flour for her father.

Xiaoman arrived to see them off, bringing Xiaodan a red bean popsicle. Xiaodan was heartbroken to leave, but Xiaoman comforted her, promising that she would be back for the New Year. Once back in Shanghai, Yan Wenyuan was deeply impressed by the model, praising Xiaoman’s skill as that of a senior welder. In the city, Fan Weijie visited Xia Lei’s dorm and found him using his computer to learn English and practice programming.

Impressed by Xia Lei's progress with a campus website, Fan provided him with the latest programming books. With Fan's support, the website began to flourish. Seeing the potential of the internet, Fan rented a small office on the seventh floor of a building to start a business together. While Xia Lei was excited by the high-speed connection, he felt the weight of pressure regarding the startup costs and registered capital.

After attending a class reunion, Yan Wenyuan returned home complaining about his old classmates. He found their talk of international banks and Pudong pretentious and felt like an outsider in Shanghai. He realized he missed the genuine camaraderie of his old colleagues at the East Chemical Plant. Life at the plant, however, remained difficult. Ding Guoqiang was struggling to support Xiaoman’s needs.

He began buying meat in tiny portions, claiming he was avoiding it to manage his health, while secretly ensuring Xiaoman had enough to eat. The local butcher, sensing the struggle, gave Ding some free pork skin. Zhang Xiaoman and his fellow vocational students eventually graduated and officially entered the East Chemical Plant as workers. Director Liu led them through the plant’s history museum.

The students were moved to see photos of their parents; Xiaoman even recognized a cloth pad his grandmother had sewn for the machines. Director Liu shared the history of the "Third Front" plants, explaining how factories were moved to inland mountain regions in the 1960s for military preparedness. He explained that because they were a secret military unit, the plant was never marked on maps, and the workers had to tell outsiders they worked at a simple chemical plant.

He showed them a 1978 confidentiality manual filled with "second simplified characters," a relic from their parents' era. Director Liu noted that many workers had spent their entire lives there and were buried on the western hillside, their tombstones forever facing the factory. He told the new recruits that while they might be the last generation of military workers as the nation shifted toward high-tech weaponry, they were still the future of the plant.

Inspired, the group began to sing "Ode to the Motherland." In Shanghai, Xiaodan won first place in an architectural design competition with a project inspired by her father’s reaction tower. She described her work not as plagiarism, but as standing on the shoulders of giants. Her professor recommended her for a study tour in France, and while her parents urged her to seize the opportunity, Xiaodan felt torn about being away from Xiaoman.

Back at the plant, the new workers received their uniforms and were assigned to masters. As Dongdong met his new mentor, Master Tan, Ding Guoqiang was in a heated confrontation in an office nearby. He was furious that the plant had stopped covering the cost of his essential medication due to budget cuts. Despite his protests about his past service, he was told he would have to pay for the medicine himself.

Ding Guoqiang left the office in a fit of rage after learning that the plant would no longer cover the cost of his medication. Zhang Xiaoman followed him, trying to comfort him by saying that setbacks are part of life and even promising to use his future wages to pay for the testosterone Ding needed.

Touched by the gesture but dismissing it as a waste of money, Ding told Xiaoman that since he was now officially a worker, he should stop calling him "Uncle Ding" and instead address him as "Mentor." To seal the bond, Xiaoman offered him a cup of tea, though Ding joked that the tea had been sitting there for several days.

In the workshop, Mentor introduced Xiaoman to his senior apprentice, Shi Dongming, a man known for his heavy smoking and drinking. Mentor laid out three essential safety rules: be extra cautious during the late-night shift when exhaustion leads to accidents; never crowd an accident scene—instead, lick a finger to find the upwind side and run; and most importantly, never work with reckless "idiots" who are sloppy with their tasks, pointing to the idle Shi as a prime example.

Life at the East Chemical Plant had become alarmingly quiet, with workers spending their mornings playing cards and eating sunflower seeds. Xiaoman found the idleness unbearable, constantly talking about his desire to serve the country. Seeing the boy's restless energy, Mentor took him to a wild patch of land behind the factory. Since there was no machinery to fix, he declared they would "repair the earth" by digging a vegetable cellar.

He taught Xiaoman that a proper cellar should be narrow at the top and wide at the bottom to ensure it stayed cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Meanwhile, Xia Limin felt equally restless and decided to follow his wife Tong Guizhen’s suggestion to become a taxi driver. Despite warnings about the 160-yuan daily fee and the risks of being self-employed, he was determined to earn more, and his son Xia Lei fully supported the move.

Before leaving the plant, Xia Limin warned the transportation captain to fix the loose clutch and dim headlights on his old truck, advising against any long night hauls until it was repaired. In Shanghai, Yan Xiaodan received news that her application for an overseas study tour was finally progressing. When Xiaoman called her later, he excitedly shared that his first paycheck, including allowances, was nearly 600 yuan.

Xiaodan also shared her success, explaining that her award-winning design was inspired by the Mahavira Hall model he had welded for her. With his first wages, Xiaoman bought a bedding set for Tong Guizhen and Xia Limin. He also bought a bottle of high-quality baijiu and cigarettes for Mentor. However, Mentor was heartbroken when Shi clumsily twisted the cap open immediately, grumbling that the expensive liquor was worth a small fortune in eggs.

By the summer of 2000, Xiaodan returned to the plant for the holidays, finding comfort in the familiar industrial scent of home. Xia Lei, now a junior, faced pressure from his mother to pursue graduate school or a stable state-owned enterprise job, but he felt the era of "iron rice bowls" was over. Nearby, Dongdong was devastated after Sun Lulu’s parents pressured them to buy a house in the city, leading to a bitter breakup.

Lulu initially threatened to move south, but she eventually returned to vent her frustrations. Moved by the scene, Xiaodan made Xiaoman promise never to say hurtful things to her, no matter how much they argued. To help the couple, Xiaodan offered to design a renovation for Dongdong’s old family house. Xiaoman and Xia Lei joined in, and they spent the summer transforming the dilapidated space into a bright, American-style open-plan home.

During this time, Xiaodan learned her study tour to Venice and France was approved. While Xiaoman was happy for her, Mentor looked on with a heavy heart, worried about the strain of her being abroad. On the day she left, Xiaoman saw her off at the station, promising to travel the world with her one day. After returning to school, Xia Lei decided to expand his website's business by acting as a bridge for industrial orders.

He found a factory needing gas stove brackets and contacted Xiaoman. Mentor agreed that the plant’s skilled workers could easily handle such a simple job. However, the workshop director was dismissive, claiming there was no "sincerity" behind the proposal. Xiaoman eventually persuaded him by promising to work only at night to avoid drawing attention and offering a deposit as a sign of sincerity. The director finally gave a reluctant nod, warning them that this would be a one-time exception.

With the workshop director's tacit permission, the workers at the East Chemical Plant felt they had nothing to fear. Led by Zhang Xiaoman, the group worked through the night on their side project of manufacturing gas stove brackets, fueled by the hope of extra income. However, the high spirits were dampened by sloppy craftsmanship.

Ding Guoqiang was furious when he inspected the work of his apprentice, Shi Dongming, finding a weld so rough he compared it to an old woman's fungal nail. He harshly reminded Shi that as industrial workers, they represented a high standard whether they were building fighter jets or simple stove parts. He insisted that every small part required precision, demanding that the botched work be redone immediately.

Despite the internal friction, the first batch of samples was completed and delivered to the railway freight yard. Xia Limin, now making a living as a taxi driver, helped transport the goods and expressed his pride in seeing Zhang Xiaoman taking initiative. Zhang Xiaoman was quick to credit Xia Lei, noting that without Xia Lei’s website, they never would have connected with such a client.

Seeing the two friends working together like they did as children brought great satisfaction to Xia Limin. The customer was delighted with the quality, soon sending the first payment and placing subsequent orders. For a brief moment, the workers felt a rare sense of joy as they gathered to divide their earnings. This prosperity was short-lived. Tragedy struck when Shi Dongming’s addiction to cough medicine led to a critical error during a late-night shift.

While Sun Lulu was visiting the workshop to see Wang Dongdong, a massive explosion occurred, engulfing the workspace in flames and destroying everything they had built. In the aftermath, the factory leadership sought to assign blame, accusing Zhang Xiaoman of misappropriating state assets and violating safety regulations. Ding Guoqiang stepped forward to defend his apprentice, arguing that the production line would never have been used without the workshop director’s "agreement in principle."

He pointed out that the group's only goal was to improve the lives of the workers during hard times. The confrontation ended with the factory leadership singling out Director Zhao Hai for a formal criticism while suspending Zhang Xiaoman, Ding Guoqiang, Shi Dongming, and Wang Dongdong from duty. Now facing an uncertain future, the group fell into a deep slump.

Ding Guoqiang scolded Shi Dongming, demanding he quit drinking and promising the group that as long as he had food, he would not let them go hungry. When Xia Lei received the news of the explosion over the phone, his entrepreneurial ambitions were cooled by the harsh reality. He began to question if he was truly suited for starting a business, while his partner Fan Weijie focused on damage control to protect their website's reputation.

Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan returned to Shanghai from her study tour in France, her mind full of the architecture she had seen in Paris and Italy. Sharing photos with Meng Ge, she spoke of the profound beauty of being immersed in art rather than just seeing it in pictures. Yan Xiaodan confessed that she wished she had a superpower to be in two places at once—studying at Tongzhou University by day and auditing classes in Europe by night.

Meng Ge encouraged her to realize that she could make such a life a reality through further study abroad. Zhuang Sen returned from Beijing and sought out Zhang Xiaoman with a plan to sell clothing. The two began operating a stall in the Tiecheng night market, calling their brand "JM," representing "Johnson" (Zhuang) and "Man."

Zhuang Sen initially tried a "mystery marketing" tactic by wrapping the stall in dark cloth to pique curiosity, but when no customers appeared, they pivoted to loud shouting to attract the crowds. During their time at the market, Zhang Xiaoman noticed the popularity of grilled chicken rib stalls. He encouraged Ding Guoqiang to try the business, confident that Ding’s cooking skills would make him a local sensation.

Initially, Ding Guoqiang was hesitant to lower himself to street vending, but he eventually agreed to look for equipment. He met a worker from the Chaoyang Machinery Plant, a sister unit, who was selling grills. Feeling a sense of kinship over their shared struggles, the man sold Ding a large grill for only fifty yuan, barely covering the cost of materials.

Ding’s first attempt at grilling was a disaster; the ribs were burnt black, and the exhaust fan he had installed was actually blowing air inward because the blades were on backward. Despite the burnt food, his friends cheered him on. Xia Limin encouraged him, saying that earning a living through one's own skill was never shameful, even for a war hero.

Taking the advice to heart, Ding Guoqiang and his wife, Zhou Huiying, set up a stall in the East Chemical Plant night market under a banner that read "Old Ding’s Grilled Chicken Ribs." On opening night, their neighbors and friends, including the Xia family and Wang Dongdong, came out to support them. Zhang Xiaoman even arranged for Wang Dongdong and his wife to act as shills, pretending to be enthusiastic customers to draw in the public.

Surrounded by this support, Ding Guoqiang finally cast aside his concerns about his reputation and focused on his new craft. At the Yan household, Yan Wenyuan noticed his daughter’s lingering hesitation and encouraged her to pursue her destiny of traveling the world. He suggested that if her bond with Zhang Xiaoman was strong enough, Xiaoman would find a way to catch up to her regardless of the distance.

Zhang Xiaoman, meanwhile, insisted on giving Ding Guoqiang a portion of his savings to help with the family's expenses, refusing to take no for an answer. Zhuang Sen soon received a payment from a film crew and took Zhang Xiaoman to look for a permanent storefront. They found a spot on a busy commercial street with a yearly rent of 15,000 yuan.

Although Zhang Xiaoman was wary of the high cost and the messy state of the shop, he was persuaded by Zhuang Sen’s enthusiasm. However, they fell into a trap set by a middleman who demanded a 10,000 yuan deposit before signing a lease. Because the film crew was paying him in installments, Zhuang Sen was short on cash and asked Zhang Xiaoman to chip in over 2,000 yuan. When Xia Lei visited the Yans, the conversation turned to his future. Recognizing that Xia Lei was losing faith in his website business, Yan Wenyuan offered to help him secure an internship at a large company in Shanghai to gain professional experience.

Zhang Xiaoman and Zhuang Sen’s plans to open a shop hit a sudden snag when the agent reneged on their agreement, claiming the property had already been rented to someone else. The two were furious at the lack of professional integrity and demanded double the refund of their deposit. Just as the confrontation reached a stalemate, the actual landlord appeared. To Xiaoman’s astonishment, it was his old friend Wang Tieda.

Tieda had recently returned from Beijing and explained that the rental confusion was a misunderstanding. He led them to an old stadium at the East Chemical Plant, which he had transformed into a versatile venue called the Workers' Dance Hall. The space served as both a ballroom and a roller rink, and Tieda invited Xiaoman to join the venture as a partner with a share in the business.

Xiaoman was hesitant to accept the offer because he did not want to abandon Zhuang Sen and their fledgling clothing business. Seeing their predicament, Wang Tieda suggested a "mobile shop" concept he had observed in the south. He encouraged them to buy a caravan, renovate it into a stall, and sell their apparel right outside the dance hall.

Zhuang Sen was immediately impressed by the idea, hailing Tieda as a business genius and envisioning a powerful alliance between the entertainment and fashion industries. Tieda admitted that he wanted to create a livelihood for his friends and keep the lights of the factory district burning bright, refusing to let the area remain pitch black in the wake of the plant's decline and downsizing. When the dance hall officially opened, the vibrant lights and music filled the air.

Xiaoman called Yan Xiaodan on the phone to share the excitement, describing the beautiful atmosphere and hoping she would return for the summer. However, Xiaodan’s response was distant. She explained that she had enrolled in a language class and was too busy with classes to visit until the National Day holiday. Although Xiaoman was visibly disappointed, he told her to focus on her studies and promised that the dance hall would be her perfect summer getaway whenever she eventually returned.

Meanwhile, Xia Lei began his internship at Aoxun Technology, a position arranged by Yan Wenyuan. He was surprised to find Meng Ge working at the same company, though her attitude toward him remained cold and professional. Xia Lei’s early days were challenging, as he was assigned to ground promotion in the city. While struggling in his stiff dress shoes, a sympathetic shopkeeper warned him that the local businesses already had fixed partnerships spanning over a decade.

The shopkeeper pointed out that the company was likely setting him up with impossible tasks to test his obedience, while the veteran employees, known as the "old timers," kept the successful accounts for themselves. As the dance hall became a popular local hotspot, it attracted new dancers, including Ye Chunchun.

Reunited with Xiaoman, Chunchun playfully mocked his lack of a proper job, calling him "temporarily on standby" as a way to get back at him for previously labeling her a "dance hostess." Xiaoman and Zhuang Sen eventually launched their clothing caravan outside the venue, but sales were initially poor because their stock looked outdated. Their luck changed when Chunchun walked by in a stylish outfit, catching the eyes of young girls nearby.

Zhuang Sen realized her potential and convinced her to act as a model for their stall. By simply standing there and showcasing the clothes, Chunchun helped them sell an item they had bought for thirty yuan for eighty yuan. Realizing her value, they offered her a ten percent commission on sales, and Chunchun’s influence soon turned the caravan into a profitable business.

Wang Tieda and Nana noticed the familiar string lights on the caravan, realizing Zhuang Sen and Xiaoman had "borrowed" them from the dance hall for decoration. However, Wang Tieda didn't mind and simply laughed it off. At the office, Xia Lei and Meng Ge were constantly targeted by senior staff looking to offload their grunt work.

While Meng Ge was skilled at deflecting these requests, Xia Lei found it hard to say no. He spent his nights working overtime to compile statistical reports for a senior named Ms. Zhao, who promised to speak highly of him during his evaluation.

Meng Ge warned him that such menial tasks would only make him appear inefficient and would do nothing to further his career, but Xia Lei insisted that he wanted to learn as much as possible, even if it meant working until late at night without a word of thanks. The success of the dance hall eventually caught the eye of a local gangster named Wei Si.

He approached Wang Tieda with a proposal to sell "cough syrup," a prescription drug that offered massive profit margins and could be sold for a hundred yuan a bottle. While Zhigang was tempted by the quick riches, Tieda firmly refused, insisting that he would only run a legitimate and clean business. After Wei Si left, Zhigang complained that Tieda was being too stubborn, but Xiaoman and Ye Chunchun supported the decision.

Xiaoman recounted how an addicted coworker had once caused a devastating explosion in their workshop, and he agreed with Tieda that the risk of dealing in such addictive substances was not worth the trouble.

At Aoxun Technology, Ms. Zhao approaches Xia Lei with an urgent request. Having seen his resume, she knows he studied Communication Engineering and once ran a networking company. She asks him to fix a problem in the server room because the regular technician is overbooked. Meng Ge watches them, later warning Xia Lei that his habit of taking on everyone else's problems is no different from what he did back at school.

Xia Lei’s attempt to help ends in disaster when he accidentally crashes the entire company network. Manager Li is furious. During the confrontation, Ms. Zhao shifts the blame, claiming she was going to hire a professional until Xia Lei insisted he could handle it. Xia Lei tries to defend himself, stating that Zhao asked for his help and the network was already broken when he arrived.

He looks to Meng Ge for support, but she tells Manager Li that while she saw them talking, she didn't hear the specific details of their conversation. As a result, Xia Lei is fired. Manager Li explains that the decision isn't just about the technical failure, but because Xia Lei spends too much time on tasks outside his job description. He notes that while Xia Lei has the potential of a hard-working "workhorse," he lacks a clear professional ideal.

When Xia Lei claims his goal is simply to stay in Shanghai, Li dismisses it as a mere wish rather than a career ambition. Before leaving, Xia Lei confronts Meng Ge about her silence. She explains that she only states facts and reminds him that while the East Chemical Plant is a society built on personal favors, the city workplace is governed by rules. She bluntly tells him that doing more is not always the right thing to do.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Sen finishes organizing the mobile shop caravan, making it more efficient. Ye Chunchun arrives to collect her 10% commission from the recent clothing sales. Zhuang Sen tries to dodge the payment by complaining about high costs and gas money, but Zhang Xiaoman remains honest and pays her for a week’s work, though he holds back three days' pay for later. During their chat, Xiaoman asks why Chunchun chooses to work at the dance hall.

She counters by asking if he would ever take a "shortcut" to make quick money. Xiaoman, thinking of Zhigang’s shady dealings, insists he has a bottom line. Chunchun toasted his honesty and reliability with a soda. In another part of town, Zhigang follows Wei Si to the Blazing Phoenix Dance Hall. Impressed by the upscale venue and the fast-selling "cough syrup," Zhigang tries to recruit Chunchun to sell the bottles to her customers for a 50% commission.

She refuses, citing the strict rules set by Wang Tieda and Nana. Xiaoman witnesses this exchange and intends to tell Tieda, but Zhuang Sen stops him. Zhuang Sen warns that Zhigang is petty and that Xiaoman's "kindness" would only be seen as meddling, potentially leading to dangerous retaliation. One night, a dance hostess is murdered on her way home, leaving a mobile phone behind.

Zhuang Sen happens to find the phone and, in a moment of boredom, uses it to make a prank call to Xiaoman before spending the night at the dance hall. The next morning, Captain Feng of the police station arrives and arrests Zhuang Sen. Xiaoman rushes to Tieda for help and learns that a serial killer from the "Hammer Gang" has been targeting women. Because the victim's phone was in his possession, Zhuang Sen has become the lead suspect.

At the dance hall, a man with glasses continues to dance with Chunchun, acting as a devoted admirer. He tries to convince her to leave the industry for a "respectable" job. Chunchun mocks him, saying that men always either want to drag decent women down or play the hero by rescuing hostesses. Her words strike a nerve, and the man, who is actually the hammer-wielding killer, prepares to attack her. At the same time, Zhuang Sen is released from custody.

He suddenly realizes the man with glasses is the killer and borrows a phone to frantically call Xiaoman. Chunchun reacts quickly, smashing a bottle over the killer's head, and Xiaoman rushes in to subdue him. With the killer caught, Captain Feng praises the group for their bravery and for running an honest business. Shortly after, a regular named Cui complains to Tieda about hostesses secretly selling cough syrup.

Tieda rounds up all the dancers and, after a stern interrogation, fires Jiajia for her involvement. Xiaoman wants to speak up about the others involved, but Chunchun pulls him back. She explains that Tieda knows exactly what is going on and the firing was merely a way to warn the others. Zhigang approaches Wei Si, wanting to borrow men to teach Xiaoman a lesson.

Wei Si advises him that if he wants to be successful, he should focus on replacing Tieda rather than just venting his anger. Zhigang’s resentment only grows when he sees Tieda giving bonuses to Xiaoman and Dongdong for the dance hall’s success. Xiaoman uses his bonus to buy a flip phone and makes his first call to Yan Xiaodan, excited that they can now stay in constant contact.

Xiaodan is happy but burdened by a secret: she has passed her exams to study abroad in France for two years. She asks Meng Ge for advice, and Meng Ge realizes that Xiaodan is really just looking for support. She urges Xiaodan to tell Xiaoman immediately so he has time to process the news. On National Day, Xiaoman, Xia Lei, and Xiaodan gather at Xia Lei's home. Tong Guizhen nags Xia Lei about giving gifts to his boss to secure his future, unaware he has been fired, while Xia Lei remains silent throughout the meal.

After their meal, Zhang Xiaoman led Yan Xiaodan and Xia Lei to the dance hall to show them the business he had been building. The venue, which used to be a simple roller rink, now served as a skating rink in the afternoon and transformed into a lively dance hall once the sun set.

Upon their arrival, Ye Chunchun immediately recognized Xiaoman as the person who had saved her years ago, recalling the incident where she was pushed into the water and borrowed his school uniform. Dongdong and Wang Tieda welcomed the group, offering drinks and snacks as they celebrated the reunion. During the gathering, Xiaoman noticed that Xia Lei seemed troubled.

After being pressed, Xia Lei admitted that his internship had ended without him being hired, and he felt suffocated by the constant nagging of his mother, Tong Guizhen. He complained that his parents always repeated the same old-fashioned advice about working hard, being humble, and waiting for success, failing to realize that the world moved much faster now and smart people had already overtaken them.

Xiaoman urged him to appreciate the fact that he had family who cared, noting that few people bothered to nag him. When Xia Lei asked about the future, Xiaoman shared his dream of making enough money to open a branch in Shanghai to be closer to them. Xia Lei warned him to communicate more with Xiaodan and not let his ambitions neglect their relationship. Meanwhile, Xiaodan and Ye Chunchun chatted while dancing.

Xiaodan tried to seek advice by telling a story about "a friend" who was in a three-year long-distance relationship and had just received an opportunity to study abroad, which she had always wanted. Chunchun, though unfamiliar with international studies, saw right through the story. She pointed out that Xiaodan’s friend wasn’t looking for a solution but rather a clear attitude and commitment from her partner.

Later that night, as the group drank outside, Chunchun went back into the dance hall to retrieve her bag. She accidentally stumbled upon a secret meeting between Zhao Zhigang and Wei Si. She overheard Wei Si plotting to frame Wang Tieda by planting a bag of ecstasy in a flower pot.

Wei Si assured Zhigang that the small amount of ecstasy would only result in a five-year sentence for Tieda, giving Zhigang a chance to make a fortune and compensate Tieda later. Chunchun rushed out to inform Xiaoman. Despite Xiaodan’s pleas for him to stay out of trouble, Xiaoman insisted on handling the situation, stating that if he didn't, no one would. He then told Xia Lei to take Xiaodan home.

His refusal to walk away from the conflict left Xiaodan feeling disappointed and worried about his reckless and easily entangled nature. On the way back, Xiaodan complained to Xia Lei that the dance hall environment was too dangerous and Xiaoman was too impulsive. Xia Lei defended his friend, explaining that Xiaoman had been hardened by his struggles in society and could withstand life's storms.

However, he also reminded Xiaodan that she needed to be honest with Xiaoman about her plans to go abroad soon. When Xiaodan returned to her old home, the sight of familiar objects only deepened her sorrow as past memories flooded her mind, intensifying her feelings of impending separation. The next morning, Zhao Zhigang helped Wang Tieda move tables, and the two briefly reminisced about their difficult childhood, feeling a mix of emotions.

Their nostalgia was interrupted when Captain Feng arrived with a search warrant, acting on a report of drug trafficking at the dance hall. Everyone held their breath as the police searched the office, eventually finding a package in the flower pot. However, to the surprise of both the police and Zhigang, the "drugs" turned out to be nothing more than milk tablets. Captain Feng issued a stern warning about the legal consequences of filing false reports before leaving.

Once the crisis passed, Xiaodan remained shaken by the memory of Xiaoman being taken away in the past, but Xia Lei tried to reassure her not to overthink it, believing it was a false alarm. Nearby, Dongdong asked Tieda why he liked to eat milk tablets, which prompted Tieda to publicly confront Zhigang, revealing he knew about the betrayal and Zhigang's collusion with outsiders to frame him.

Zhigang finally dropped his facade, admitting his resentment and claiming he felt more like a servant than a brother. He argued that the profit from selling cough syrup was huge and worth the risk, and that he was done "playing house" with Tieda. The two formally ended their friendship, and Zhigang walked out of the dance hall for good.

Xiaodan finally sat down with Xiaoman to tell him about her opportunity to study in France for two years, still holding onto a last shred of hope that he might ask her to stay. Xiaoman took the news with a mix of pride and sadness, realizing that while she was destined to fly higher and higher, he was still struggling to find his footing.

He promised that no matter where she went or how long she was gone, he would be waiting for her. He vowed to work even harder to bridge the distance between their lives and eventually catch up to her success. Witnessing the struggle of his friends and feeling lost about his own uncertain future, Xia Lei sought comfort from his father, Xia Limin.

While they washed a car together, Limin explained that if a car is dirty, you wash it, and if it is broken, you fix it, emphasizing that one must act rather than just observe. He encouraged his son to stay confident, be bold and careful, and keep moving forward, even if he hit roadblocks or failed, knowing he could always come home.

Inspired, Xia Lei contacted Fan Weijie to suggest they restart their entrepreneurial venture, and the two immediately hit it off. Xiaodan also called Xiaoman to share her heart, expressing regret for her demands and acknowledging his support, clearing away the lingering tension between them. Soon after, Weijie introduced Xia Lei to Fan He, the head of Jiangnan Agricultural Machinery Factory.

Xia Lei presented his clear vision for the internet’s future, arguing that its global coverage and openness would soon replace traditional business directories by offering vast commercial resources, unlike limited print directories requiring much human effort. Impressed by Xia Lei’s clarity and potential, Fan He offered to invest but insisted on his factory having a controlling stake and focusing on upstream and downstream industrial chains.

With the funding secured, Xia Lei and Weijie immediately took action, choosing a location near the university to officially found "Xun Fei Network Company." Xia Lei threw himself into the work, almost living at the company and staying at the office day and night to fix technical bugs before the network beta test. Though he tried to recruit his classmates due to severe understaffing, most politely declined, preferring the security of stable jobs in their hometowns.

Eventually, Xiaodan visited him at the office to share that she had received her acceptance letter for studying abroad and that Xiaoman had promised he would eventually join her in France.

Xia Lei and his team finally reached a breakthrough after days of intensive work. With all technical bugs resolved and the internal testing completed successfully, their website was officially launched. The achievement was marked by signing a significant client, Mr. Xue, which left Fan Weijie ecstatic and eager to celebrate with champagne. News of the success quickly traveled back to the East Chemical Plant, where the neighbors expressed their pride in Xia Lei’s accomplishments.

Xia Limin and his wife decided to visit Shanghai, with Xia Limin even bringing along some Caozi cake, a local specialty from their hometown, as a treat for his son. The visit to the company office filled Xia Limin and his wife with immense pride as they witnessed the scale of the operation and saw Xia Lei confidently managing his staff. Seizing the happy occasion, Xia Lei shared his vision for the future.

He planned to use his year-end bonus to make a down payment on an apartment in the city so he could move his parents out of the East Chemical Plant to live with him, allowing them to spend their time with Yan Wenyuan and other old friends. However, the celebratory mood was shattered by a phone call from Fan Weijie. A crisis had struck the family business, Jiangnan Machinery Plant, after a relative named Fan He embezzled funds and fled.

Faced with aggressive creditors and bank loans, Fan Weijie had secretly sold the company and the website to cover the financial void. Xia Lei was devastated to learn that his hard work had been sold without his consent, effectively stripping him of his equity and his position. Shortly after the call, a representative from the Helian Zongheng Group arrived at the office to begin the formal handover procedures.

Deeply concerned for their son, Xia Limin and his wife visited Yan Wenyuan to discuss the situation. Yan Wenyuan offered comfort, suggesting that such a setback was a valuable lesson that money could not buy for a young entrepreneur. When Yan Xiaodan asked about his next steps, Xia Lei admitted he was setting aside his dreams of entrepreneurship for now to focus on finding a stable job in the corporate market.

Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan had successfully secured her visa and was preparing to leave for her studies in France. Driven by his devotion to Yan Xiaodan, Zhang Xiaoman confided in Ding Guoqiang about his desire to go abroad to be with her. Understanding the depth of the young man’s feelings, Ding Guoqiang offered his full support and even tried to give him a portion of his savings to help with the journey.

By the autumn of 2002, Yan Xiaodan arrived in France, embracing the excitement of her new environment. Zhang Xiaoman, however, found that reaching France was far more difficult than anticipated. His visa applications were repeatedly denied due to a lack of proper documentation and insufficient proof of funds.

On the advice of Zhuang Sen, Zhang Xiaoman decided to first go to Japan to earn the necessary money and build an international travel record, planning to stay with Zhuang Sen’s aunt, Zhuang Huimin. On the eve of his departure, Ding Guoqiang helped Zhang Xiaoman pack his belongings, quietly tucking a stack of cash into a hidden compartment of the suitcase.

Upon arriving in Japan, Zhang Xiaoman was met by Qu, who helped him settle into the shared living quarters where he would stay with coworkers Guo and Yun. He learned to adapt to Japanese customs, such as sleeping on the floor and maintaining a disciplined routine. Zhang Xiaoman began working as a server in Zhuang Huimin’s restaurant.

Although she appeared stern and made it clear that rent would be deducted from his wages without any pay advances, she was ultimately a kind-hearted woman. During his breaks, Zhang Xiaoman used a borrowed phone card to call Yan Xiaodan. Despite the distance and the time difference, they encouraged one another and reaffirmed their promise to reunite in France.

Xiaoman’s lack of Japanese language skills led to some awkward moments at work, such as failing to understand a customer who wanted to pay the bill. When Zhuang Huimin insisted he study Japanese, he explained that his primary focus was learning French for his eventual move to France. Realizing the extent of his dedication to his girlfriend, Zhuang Huimin could not help but admire his romantic spirit.

Back home, Ding Guoqiang and his wife continued to look after He Yuexiang's house and pray for Zhang Xiaoman’s success and safety. In France, Chen Guoqing visited Yan Xiaodan with his new girlfriend, and they spoke optimistically about her eventual reunion with Zhang Xiaoman. Back in Japan, the restaurant was disturbed by the arrival of Watanabe and Yu Qiangbei.

They pressured Zhuang Huimin to authorize the use of the gold belt and trophies left by her late husband, Maeda, a former professional boxer, for promotional profit. Zhuang Huimin fiercely rejected the offer and drove them out, but the stress of the encounter triggered a painful bout of her chronic stomach issues. Seeing her distress, Zhang Xiaoman thoughtfully prepared a bowl of millet porridge to soothe her stomach, a gesture that deeply touched her.

In gratitude, she invited him to call her Auntie when they were in private. While caring for Zhuang Huimin, Zhang Xiaoman encountered Yu Qiangbei again at the restaurant. They were surprised to discover they were both from Tiecheng, which instantly created a bond between them. Yu Qiangbei revealed that Maeda had been a fighter in Watanabe’s gym who died tragically after a match.

Recognizing Zhang Xiaoman’s determination to save money, Yu Qiangbei suggested he take up a part-time job at the boxing gym cleaning and selling drinks, noting the income was quite good. Zhang Xiaoman approached Zhuang Huimin about the opportunity, and she gave her quiet approval, provided he kept the arrangement discreet from the other staff. Meanwhile, Xia Lei sought out Meng Ge to ask for an introduction to the company Fenlier.

He expressed confidence that his dual background in communication engineering and finance made him a perfect fit for their strategic investment needs. Meng Ge warned him that the firm was known for its high-pressure "wolf culture," but Xia Lei assured her that he was fully prepared to adapt and excel in such a demanding environment.

Before Xia Lei met with the director of the Strategic Investment Department, Meng Ge gave him some last-minute advice. She noticed he looked a bit too much like a bookworm while adjusting his glasses and suggested he take them off. Xia Lei followed her lead, hoping to make a stronger impression on Kong Peng, a shrewd Harvard MBA who was obsessed with corporate culture.

During the interview, Kong Peng dismissed Xia Lei’s polished, standard answers about the company's Fortune 500 status. He challenged Xia Lei on his willingness to discuss salary in a market economy and asked if he possessed the "wolf-like" traits essential to investment banking. Xia Lei, feeling the pressure, responded firmly that while he had been shaped by his past, he possessed the potential to become a wolf.

He boldly stated that if rejected, he would simply take his talents to a competitor and meet Kong Peng again at the negotiation table. Impressed by this tenacity, Kong Peng welcomed him to Fenlier. Meanwhile, in Japan, Zhang Xiaoman arrived at the boxing gym to start a part-time cleaning job. Yu Qiangbei introduced him to the staff, including a fellow countryman named Chen, while the gym's owner, Watanabe, focused on using the reputation of the late Maeda to secure financing.

During a break, Xiaoman called Yan Xiaodan. He excitedly explained that between the restaurant and the gym, he was earning double the money to expedite his trip to France. However, a disconnect grew between them as Xiaodan spoke of her architectural studies and "catenary structures," terms Xiaoman couldn't begin to grasp. Their conversation was cut short by her studies, leaving Xiaoman alone with his thoughts in the gym.

Xiaoman’s role at the gym shifted unexpectedly when Yu Qiangbei noticed his natural form. Xiaoman admitted he had learned some boxing from his brother as a child. Seeing his potential, Yu Qiangbei promoted him to a full-time sparring partner, noting that the hourly wage was several times higher than cleaning. Eager for the extra income, Xiaoman called home to offer money to Ding Guoqiang and Zhou Huiying. The couple, who viewed him as their own son, adamantly refused.

Ding Guoqiang insisted they didn't need the money and, worried about the expensive international call rates, hung up quickly after a few brief words of affection. Xia Lei soon faced his first major challenge: the acquisition of Jiangnan No. 2 Agricultural Machinery Factory. Nervous and obsessed with every detail, he was comforted by Meng Ge before they met the factory's representatives.

At a tense dinner, Director Li expressed skepticism, questioning who would get the "fish head" and who would be left with the "bones" in a joint venture. Meng Ge strategically left the table to take a "call," putting pressure on the factory leaders. Left alone with them, Xia Lei used his background as a child of a Third Front Plant to build rapport. He spoke of his father, a former plant director, and addressed their fears about modernization and loans.

To prove his sincerity, Xia Lei drank an entire pot of liquor, eventually winning over Director Li and securing the deal. Following the success of the acquisition, Kong Peng had both Xia Lei and Meng Ge sign the project documents. He hinted that one of them would eventually succeed him, a clear move to create internal rivalry.

Meng Ge saw through the tactic immediately, warning Xia Lei that Kong Peng wanted them to turn on each other to keep them in check. The two former classmates agreed to remain allies, vowing that they would never fight for the position and would rise or fall together. In Japan, Xiaoman’s strength proved to be a double-edged sword. While sparring, he accidentally delivered a brutal hook to a professional trainee's chin, knocking the man unconscious.

With the trainee unable to compete, Yu Qiangbei suggested Xiaoman take his place in an amateur match, promising even more money for a win. Though nervous, Xiaoman stepped into the ring. Encouraged by Yu to focus solely on the financial reward, Xiaoman delivered a stunning knockout. This performance caught the eye of a wealthy investor named Yamaomo.

Seeing a golden opportunity, Watanabe decided to use Xiaoman as a "pawn" to secure Yamaomo’s investment, while Yu Qiangbei handed Xiaoman a prize much larger than he had anticipated. Xiaoman shared the news with Xiaodan, who was less impressed by the money and more terrified that he would get seriously hurt. That evening, Madam Zhuang confronted Xiaoman, having watched his match. She warned him that he was gambling his life and future on a dream.

She revealed the painful truth of her own life; her husband, Maeda, had died because of the ring. She told him that no matter how strong a fighter seems, the ring eventually makes a loser out of everyone, whether they fall to time or a superior opponent. Xiaoman insisted he was only doing it for a few matches to save money for France, but Madam Zhuang remained unconvinced, leaving him to take responsibility for his own path.

Back home, business at Ding’s Grilled Chicken Ribs was quiet. Seeing Zhou Huiying’s dampened spirits over their lack of customers, Ding Guoqiang decided to lift the neighborhood's mood. He announced that his "apprentice" had made it big in Japan and offered free chicken ribs to all the neighbors. He comforted his wife, reminding her of the hardships they had already survived and promising that they would live their remaining days with laughter.

Touched by his resilience, Zhou Huiying kissed him in front of the crowd, much to his shy embarrassment. The peace was short-lived for Xia Lei when Kong Peng assigned him to lead a new project: the acquisition of Jiangnan Machinery Plant. Xia Lei was disturbed to find that the managing director was Fan Weijie, the man who had previously betrayed him. Meng Ge urged him to remain professional and not let personal history interfere with work.

When they met for negotiations, Fan Weijie tried to act familiar with "Lei," but Xia Lei remained cold and strictly professional. As Meng Ge pointed out that the factory was on the verge of bankruptcy due to undelivered orders, Fan Weijie ignored her, trying instead to leverage his past relationship with Xia Lei. Disgusted by the attempt, Xia Lei eventually walked out of the meeting, leaving the negotiations in a stalemate.

After their initial negotiation, Meng Ge advises Xia Lei to withdraw from the acquisition project, but Xia Lei believes he is well-equipped to handle it. Soon after, Fan Weijie actively seeks out Xia Lei, attempting to mend their relationship.

Xia Lei, still resentful, directly states that while he can accept their business failure, differing visions, and eventual separation, he cannot forgive Fan for secretly selling the website they built with their collective effort—an act that remains a thorn in his side. Fan Weijie, while sincerely apologizing, also reiterates that Xia Lei's original shares had been integrated into the assets of Jiangnan Machinery Plant during a business merger and are currently held by him.

Fan suggests that Xia Lei could benefit both parties by appropriately raising the acquisition price during the current deal, implying he could then compensate Xia Lei. Xia Lei, without hesitation, firmly rejects this proposition, citing his personal and professional standards, and his refusal to fall into a trap or compromise his ethics with someone who once destroyed his future. Worried about Zhang Xiaoman's future, Zhuang Huimin brings her husband’s championship belt to Watanabe’s boxing gym.

She offers to repay Xiaoman's training expenses if Watanabe agrees to stop scheduling fights for him, fearing the young man will be destroyed like her husband, Maeda. Watanabe, however, views Xiaoman as his new cash cow and refuses to let go of such a valuable asset. He coldly argues that Xiaoman is more valuable than the belt, and that the path he is on is one of his own choosing.

To Watanabe, money is the ultimate reflection of human nature, and he has no intention of stopping the matches. As winter sets in, the irregular schedule of boxing matches strains communication between Yan Xiaodan in France and Zhang Xiaoman in Japan. Xiaodan is overwhelmed by her architecture studies and feels the pressure of the shorter days, while Xiaoman is consumed by rigorous training with a professional coach, hoping to earn enough to join her.

Communication becomes increasingly sparse; Xiaoman misses her birthday, and when a riot breaks out in France, leaving a terrified Xiaodan being followed by a vagrant, he is unable to provide comfort. During their brief, static-filled phone call, Xiaoman is in a noisy gym and can barely hear her, and the call soon disconnects due to signal issues. Driven by worry and the lack of contact, Xiaodan eventually decides to fly to Japan to see him.

Seeing Xiaoman bloodied and exhausted in the boxing ring is a wake-up call for Xiaodan. She realizes her own ambition forced him into a life he never wanted, turning a boy who loved his hometown into a scarred fighter. She sends him a breakup text, believing they are caught in a cycle and it is time to face different lives.

Desperate, Xiaoman attempts to secure a French visa but is rejected due to his immigration intent, as authorities fear he might overstay illegally. In a final, heart-wrenching call, Xiaoman suggests she return to China or join him in Japan, but Xiaodan reveals she has accepted a job offer at a prestigious architecture firm in France. They part ways, with Xiaoman urging her to take care of herself as she begins her life alone.

Back at the East Chemical Plant, Ding Guoqiang grows increasingly concerned after months of silence from Xiaoman. He eventually learns the truth from Yan Wenyuan that the kids have broken up. Ding is devastated, knowing how much Xiaoman sacrificed for Xiaodan only to be left alone in Japan.

Yan Wenyuan tries to remain calm, suggesting that they must give the children time to process the situation themselves, even as Ding worries that Xiaoman is too stubborn to move on and won't give up until he hits rock bottom. The old grudge between Xia Lei and Fan Weijie causes friction at Fenlier. Kong Peng, fearing the project is dragging, reassigns it to another team and accuses Xia Lei of letting his personal history cloud his judgment.

Xia Lei retaliates by reporting Kong Peng to higher management, exposing a biased valuation report that ignored significant litigation risks, a report issued by a firm hired by Kong Peng. A heated confrontation follows, with Kong Peng accusing Xia Lei of biting the hand that fed him and seeking revenge on Fan Weijie. Despite the pressure, Xia Lei remains firm, asserting that he never violated business rules or compromised his professional ethics.

Meng Ge later suggests that Xia Lei should at least reclaim his shares from the factory acquisition, but he stays silent. At the KOB Boxing Gym, Watanabe decides to profit by arranging for Xiaoman to throw a fight against Miyamura Masao. However, Yu Qiangbei has his own plans, engaging in a "black-eats-black" scheme and secretly encouraging Xiaoman to seize the opportunity to win this "comeback fight" and return home with dignity, having bet his entire fortune on Xiaoman.

During the match, Watanabe, unable to find Yu Qiangbei, rushes to the ringside and tries to bribe Xiaoman to lose in the third round. Xiaoman refuses, stating he never throws fights and wants to live a different life. He wins the fight, reclaiming his pride but infuriating the gym owner. That night, Xiaoman is cornered by Watanabe’s men. During the struggle, he falls into the freezing sea.

Though he survives the ordeal after being rescued, his time abroad comes to an end. In 2007, a battle-worn and limping Xiaoman is repatriated, returning home to the East Chemical Plant.

Zhang Xiaoman returned to his old, quiet house alone, where the familiar, dusty furniture felt like a dull knife cutting through his heart, bringing him to the verge of tears. The silence was soon broken by Wang Tieda, who, having heard movement inside, came over to investigate. Seeing his old friend, Tieda embraced him with a mix of surprise and joy.

Tieda shared that he had closed his dance hall and was now living a steady life with Nana, and had switched to pedaling a reversed tricycle for work. Xiaoman presented Tieda with a high-quality helmet he had brought back from Japan, intending to return the motorcycle Tieda had lent him years ago. However, Tieda insisted he had no use for it anymore.

Despite the warm reunion, Tieda and Nana couldn't help but notice that Xiaoman seemed distracted and unsettled, wondering what he had endured during his years abroad. Later, Xiaoman visited his mentor’s wife, Zhou Huiying. She greeted him warmly, noting how much weight he had lost and how tanned he had become. She informed him that Ding Guoqiang was currently in Tiecheng, selling grilled chicken frames near Bainiao Square.

To save money on travel, Ding only returned home once a month, often staying in a shared rental to avoid the long commute. Zhou Huiying, eager to welcome Xiaoman back, offered to make him handmade dumplings. However, as Xiaoman took the flour basin, a piercing, sudden ringing erupted in his ears. His hands trembled, and the basin crashed to the floor. Though Xiaoman tried to dismiss it as a simple accident, Zhou Huiying was deeply unsettled.

She immediately sought out Tong Guizhen, hoping she could help figure out what was wrong with him. Tormented by worsening auditory hallucinations that felt like a swarm of bees trapped in his skull, Xiaoman wandered through the dilapidated factory grounds. He passed the remains of the old dance hall, a somber reminder of past prosperity. Nearby, he saw Tieda being teased by customers while pedaling his tricycle, a sight that filled him with a quiet sorrow.

Realizing his unstable condition made it dangerous to operate a motor vehicle, Xiaoman officially returned the motorcycle to Tieda. Tieda reiterated that he now preferred his tricycle, as it saved on gas and gave him a good workout, making it a more practical tool for his business. Soon after, Tong Guizhen arrived at Xiaoman’s house with a bowl of fresh handmade noodles her husband had prepared.

She found Xiaoman in a worrying state, whispering to empty air and appearing to listen to voices no one else could hear. Worried about his condition, especially since he slept with his shoes on because he was constantly getting up to answer non-existent knocks at the door, Tong Guizhen brought along a former colleague, a director from the factory health clinic. During the examination, Xiaoman admitted to hearing constant, chaotic noises—voices, cars, and sudden bangs—that made it impossible to sleep.

The doctor observed that while there was no physical damage to his ears, Xiaoman was likely suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, triggered by his near-drowning incidents, both as a child and more recently in Japan. She emphasized that he needed to be admitted to Anning Hospital for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment. On the way to Anning Hospital, Xiaoman’s condition flared up again.

The overwhelming hallucinations left him panicked and disoriented, nearly causing him to wander into the path of oncoming traffic. At the hospital, the doctor provided a detailed diagnosis, confirming that Xiaoman was suffering from a hallucinatory mental illness requiring ongoing treatment, with his past traumas acting as a trigger factor. Meanwhile, Ding Guoqiang was facing his own troubles. Near the train station, city inspectors were chasing him for illegal vending.

Despite Ding’s pleas and his attempt to offer Hongtashan cigarettes as a peace offering, the officers insisted on confiscating his cart, claiming he was ruining the city’s image. In a desperate act of defiance, the elderly man sat on the ground and clung to the wheels of his bicycle. Xiaoman happened upon the scene and intervened just as the confrontation reached its peak.

Seeing his student, Ding was so moved that he abandoned the cart entirely and led Xiaoman back to his cramped rental. There, Ding proudly introduced Xiaoman to his fellow laborers as his prized apprentice returned from Japan, like an old father showing off his own son. That evening, the group pooled their meager resources to buy meat and Snow Beer, hosting a small barbecue in the yard.

They drank and sang loudly, their spirits high, until the landlord arrived to scold them for the excessive smoke and noise. As the night wore on, Ding sat privately with Xiaoman, expressing the deep pain he felt during the years they were out of touch and how he worried about Xiaoman's experiences. He confessed that if he had ever had enough money, he would have rushed to Japan to find him, even dragging him back.

Feeling the weight of this profound fatherly love, Xiaoman reached into his pocket and handed Ding a bottle of Japanese male enhancement medicine, hinting it was similar to the vitality shots Ding used to receive. Ding was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter through tears, quickly hiding the gift from his wife's potential knowledge. For a brief moment, surrounded by the lively songs of the workers, Xiaoman found himself able to smile, a long-lost expression.

The following morning, Xiaoman went to the East Chemical Plant office to handle his medical reimbursement. There, he met Sun Lulu, who now handled Finance, HR, and former labor relations after the departments merged. She looked on with sympathy as she explained that the plant was in a dire financial state, with a long backlog of unpaid claims, and many old patients had to pay out of pocket.

Lulu mentioned how their other classmates were struggling, with some selling grilled corn or moving away, and sadly shared that Baldy Song had passed away after tragically choking to death during a business dinner with clients. As they spoke, urgent news arrived that Ding Guoqiang had been detained at the security office by the main gate.

Frustrated by the confiscation of his cart, Ding, in a defiant act, had hung his "Ding's Grilled Chicken Frames" advertisement banner high up on a street lamp near the station. Captain Leng questioned him for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, but Ding stubbornly denied the charge, even claiming his banner had been stolen.

Xiaoman arrived and immediately took the blame, claiming he had used a pole to hang the banner in a drunken fit of anger over how the city inspectors treated his mentor. Xiaoman presented his mental health diagnosis from Anning Hospital, a report explicitly stating "Complex PTSD," arguing that his condition caused him to act out.

Despite Captain Leng’s warning that such an admission would lead to at least 15 days' detention for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, Xiaoman stood firm, unwilling to let his mentor, an elderly war hero, face punishment for damaging the city's image project. As Xiaoman was led away to the bureau for further questioning, Ding was left standing in the street, filled with self-reproach and cursing his own impulsiveness, devastated by the sacrifice his student had made.

With Captain Leng acting as his guarantor, Zhang Xiaoman was admitted to Anning Hospital. The transition was jarring; the constant noise within the inpatient ward frayed his nerves, leaving him restless and increasingly vacant-eyed. A nurse named Qian Juan explained the facility's strict discipline, which included a mandatory wake-up call at six in the morning and lights out by eight in the evening.

She warned him that the heavy iron gates remained locked and that his world was now confined within those walls. Back home, Zhou Huiying was overwhelmed with grief, unable to stop her tears at the thought of Xiaoman being in a psychiatric facility. Ding Guoqiang eventually went to visit him, bringing along some home-cooked meat and sausages to help the young man regain his strength. Seeing Xiaoman looking like a shadow of his former self broke Ding’s heart.

During their brief conversation, Xiaoman mentioned that the medication made him feel "dizzy and happy," but the side effects were immediate; he suddenly collapsed mid-sentence. A panicked Ding called for a doctor, only to be reassured by a nurse that the drug was simply taking effect. Watching Xiaoman fall into a heavy, snoring sleep, Ding wept for the boy he considered a son. Tong Guizhen was equally distressed.

She couldn't believe that the normally cheerful Xiaoman had succumbed to a mental illness. Worried about her own son’s well-being in the high-pressure environment of a big city, she called Xia Lei in Shanghai to check on him. Xia Lei was shocked by the news of Xiaoman’s hospitalization and immediately offered to cover all medical expenses. Tong urged her son to prioritize his health above all else, fearing the stress of his career might take a similar toll.

While volunteering at the hospital, Ye Chunchun spotted Xiaoman during the morning exercise routine. Xiaoman tried to make light of his situation, claiming he was merely there to "recuperate" after his return from abroad. He shared a memory of visiting the old dance hall, mentioning that he thought he saw a hallucination of Chunchun roller skating there. Chunchun gently corrected him, explaining that the dance hall had long since closed and the building had been demolished.

She noted that the people of the East Chemical Plant were now too busy struggling for their livelihoods to dance, and Wang Tieda had refused to run a dishonest business just to keep the doors open. Chunchun also shared that she had used her savings to open a small flower shop, which was doing well enough to sustain her.

Knowing she would return to the hospital, Xiaoman asked Chunchun to bring him a pair of headphones to help block out the auditory hallucinations that plagued him. A few days later, she arrived with the headphones, an MP3 player filled with music, and a single sunflower. Xiaoman expressed his hope that she would visit often, and she promised to do so. With the music playing, the disturbing voices in his head finally began to recede.

In Shanghai, retirement was proving difficult for Yan Wenyuan. Feeling a profound sense of emptiness, he decided to call his old colleague, Zhao Cun, for a chat. However, his wife had to remind him that Zhao Cun had passed away a long time ago. Yan was left confused, his struggle with memory loss becoming increasingly apparent to those around him. Xia Lei later attended an alumni gathering where he ran into an old classmate nicknamed Eight.

Eight had returned to Shanghai after their hometown factory went bankrupt and its remaining assets were merged with a facility in Xi'an. Though Eight lamented that his parents' hard work had gone to waste, he didn't regret trying to save the plant. He told Xia Lei about his new job selling electric vehicles and complained about the limitations of current lithium battery technology, noting how sensitive they were to temperature and overcharging.

This sparked a professional interest in Xia Lei, who listened intently to the technical details. Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan seemed to have moved on from her breakup with Xiaoman, focusing entirely on her rising career. She called her mother to share the news that one of her designs was being featured in an architectural exhibition in Europe.

While proud, Yan’s mother used the opportunity to ask about Alzheimer’s medications available abroad, claiming she was asking for a colleague of Yan Wenyuan’s to avoid alarming her daughter. At the hospital, Xiaoman followed the sound of a wind chime and discovered a neglected greenhouse. He began quietly cleaning the space, and when Chunchun saw his progress, she was moved to tears.

The abandoned garden reminded her of her own mother, who had spent three years in the intensive care ward across the way. With the help of Chunchun and Ding Guoqiang, the greenhouse was soon restored to its former glory. Ding was delighted to see the two young people working together and treated Chunchun with the warmth he would show a future daughter-in-law, encouraging her to look after Xiaoman.

The corporate world eventually caught up with Xia Lei when Kong Peng approached him about an acquisition. The company intended to take over Factory No. 3 of the East Chemical Plant. Kong Peng pointed out that since Xia Lei was from there and understood the technology, he was the ideal candidate to lead the project. However, Meng Ge warned Xia Lei that this was likely a trap.

She believed Kong Peng was using the project as a form of revenge for the Fan Weijie incident, positioning Xia Lei to ruthlessly divest and re-evaluate his hometown factory's assets at the lowest possible price, a move that could ultimately jeopardize his career. As a heavy rain began to fall outside the greenhouse, Xiaoman and Chunchun sat together to talk.

Chunchun opened up about her painful past, recounting how her father had been abusive after her mother left home, and how her mother had eventually been hospitalized with violent tendencies. She realized later that her mother hadn't abandoned her by choice but had been too ill to stay. Chunchun then gave Xiaoman the wind chime her mother had left her.

She explained that it had provided her with a sense of security and a reason to look forward to the future since she was a child, and now she wanted it to protect him.

Over the following days, Zhang Xiaoman's condition improved significantly. He took the wind chime Ye Chunchun had given him and, noticing the wood had rotted from exposure to the elements, modified it into a set of row chimes. He aimed to replace the hospital's jarring electric bell to alleviate the patients' discomfort with the sound.

Ye Chunchun supported the idea, and after Director Huang's professional evaluation, which identified it as a form of positive psychotherapy, Zhang Xiaoman was officially allowed to use his creation. Becoming "Zhang Xiaoman, the Chime Ringer," he began waking fellow patients and calling them to meals with the gentle sounds of the chimes. One morning, Zhang Xiaoman learned he would be getting a new roommate.

He hurried back to the ward to find an elderly man sitting on the bed, absorbed in a magazine titled "Flying Saucer Exploration". Zhang Xiaoman realized the man was Mr. Gu, the teacher who had caught Xia Lei and Yan Xiaodan cheating on an exam years ago. Mr. Gu found Zhang Xiaoman somewhat familiar but remained distant.

When Zhang Xiaoman reminded him of the incident where two students had swapped a ruler marked with answers, Mr. Gu offered a peculiar explanation. He suggested they were connected through parallel worlds; he believed that the present-day Zhang Xiaoman had told him the story, allowing his past self to catch the students in that moment years ago. Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan’s career reached a new peak as she won a prestigious French design award.

During a media interview, she explained that her inspiration came from the romantic, ever-changing shapes of clouds in the wind. However, the mood shifted when a journalist pointedly described her work as a "castle in the air," suggesting it was purely conceptual and difficult to implement. Yan Xiaodan became visibly defensive, citing the myth of Chang'e as a precursor to real achievements like the moon landing. The interview was eventually paused so she could compose herself.

Her colleague then commented that her recent designs lacked Eastern elements. It was then that she received a call from Xia Lei, who delivered the devastating news that her father, Yan Wenyuan, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Because the doctors recommended a familiar environment for his recovery, Yan Wenyuan's wife decided to move back to their old residence at the East Chemical Plant.

Xia Limin and Tong Guizhen heard the news and promptly helped air out the apartment and arrange the furniture to mirror its original state. Yan Wenyuan was deeply moved upon returning to his old home, though he frequently became confused, insisting he needed to go to the plant to supervise safe production.

Tong Guizhen visited the family with groceries and witnessed the severity of his condition firsthand when Yan Wenyuan, having just taken his medication, immediately tried to take another dose, completely forgetting he had already done so. At the hospital, a stubborn new patient caused a scene by refusing his medication and claiming he had personally funded the construction of the entire facility. He demanded a luxury suite and threatened to fire the staff.

Zhang Xiaoman stepped in, humoring the man's delusions of a business empire. They discussed elaborate plans for "hill-blasting" projects, artificial seas, and "underwater volcano hot spring pipes." Zhang Xiaoman eventually used a "magic cup" trick, pretending to drink white spirits with the man while actually serving him plain water, which the patient found peculiar. Convinced by their conversation, the patient finally took his medicine. Director Huang observed Zhang Xiaoman's progress and told him he now met the criteria for discharge.

However, Zhang Xiaoman felt hesitant to return to the outside world and proposed staying to work and earn money at the hospital instead, even offering to be a caregiver. During a check-up at the clinic, Zhang Xiaoman ran into Yan Wenyuan and Tong Guizhen. Though the old man found him familiar, Tong Guizhen privately asked Zhang Xiaoman not to tell anyone else about the illness. Yan Xiaodan flew back to China immediately upon hearing of her father’s condition.

Seeing him struggle with his memory filled her with deep guilt. Simultaneously, the patient from the next room again insisted on going out for a dinner party, and the nurses, at a loss, had to seek Zhang Xiaoman’s help. Zhang Xiaoman, seeing the patient wanted to drink, poured a cup of water and pretended to drink with him, which the patient found peculiar.

Meanwhile, Yan Wenyuan's mother grew increasingly tired caring for her husband, and Yan Xiaodan faced internal and external challenges: complex family matters combined with her design project requiring her leadership. While out for a walk with her father one afternoon, she unexpectedly ran into her old classmate, Sun Lulu. During their conversation, Sun Lulu mentioned that Zhang Xiaoman had returned from Japan and was currently hospitalized due to some mental stimulation.

Shocked by this revelation, Yan Xiaodan decided to go to the psychiatric hospital to see him. Later, Sun Lulu told Dongdong about Yan Xiaodan's return, but Dongdong believed Sun Lulu shouldn't have interfered, thinking there was no chance for Yan Xiaodan and Zhang Xiaoman to reconcile. At the hospital, Yan Xiaodan passed by Mr. Gu, who was muttering about eternal energy loops, and, looking around at the surroundings, felt deeply distressed by the environment Zhang Xiaoman was living in.

She eventually found him in the greenhouse with Ye Chunchun. The two were busy decorating with plants and recycled bottles. Ye Chunchun spoke of a doll she had cherished as a young girl, which she had remade with scraps of fabric and dyed hair, believing it to be the most beautiful and unique doll in the world. Zhang Xiaoman responded that the current Ye Chunchun, who could turn waste into treasure, was also one of a kind.

Ye Chunchun thanked him for helping her recall cherished childhood memories. Standing silently not far from the greenhouse, Yan Xiaodan watched Zhang Xiaoman hanging hydroponic spider plants. Just as she was about to approach, she overheard Zhang Xiaoman and Ye Chunchun's conversation, felt a sudden sense of loss, and turned to leave without a word. That night, Yan Xiaodan attempted to focus on her design project, but her mind was elsewhere.

Her father, momentarily confusing the present with her college years, brought her a glass of milk to help her study. When Yan Xiaodan gently reminded him of the truth, he became distressed, realizing he was "getting muddled" again. In his clumsy attempt to take the glass back, he accidentally spilled the milk all over her laptop, causing the screen to go black. Yan Wenyuan broke down in tears of self-reproach and cried alone outside the door.

Seeing this, Yan Xiaodan also felt deeply saddened, and her own resolve began to crumble under the pressure. As the computer could not be repaired in time, and realizing she could no longer manage her professional responsibilities and her father's care simultaneously, she contacted Louis to hand over the project to Mark and officially extended her leave.

Life continues at the hospital as Ye Chunchun brings a young patient named Nini to see Zhang Xiaoman in the greenhouse. Nini suffers from delusional disorder and is devastated because her "magic wand"—a simple tree branch—has snapped, making the world feel gray and colorless. Chunchun asks Xiaoman, whom she introduces as a "magic uncle," to help find a replacement. Xiaoman takes Chunchun to the mountains to find a suitable branch, eventually selecting one that closely matches the original.

He tells Nini that the wand simply went back to the forest to grow a bit. While on the mountain, he also carves a peach wood amulet for Chunchun to serve as a protective charm. After their search, the two miss their bus and sit at the station to wait for the next one.

As Xiaoman ties a red string around the amulet, he recalls a metaphor Xia Lei once shared: that a bus stop is a microcosm of life where some are picked up by private cars, some board the bus, and some miss it entirely. Xiaoman admits he has felt like the person who always misses the bus. Chunchun comforts him, explaining that there will always be another bus and that his anxiety stemmed from waiting alone.

She promises to stay and wait with him from now on. Later that evening, while sitting on the swings in the greenhouse, Chunchun asks Xiaoman if he has truly moved on from his past. Xiaoman admits he has finally accepted the outcome of his long pursuit of Yan Xiaodan. He describes his years of effort as a desperate chase that eventually led him to "run himself into the sea."

Having given his absolute all, he feels no regret or lingering unwillingness. He expresses deep gratitude to Chunchun for her companionship, which he credits for healing him and helping him face the world again. Chunchun, touched, tells him that he is the sweetness in her life. They quote the sentiment that the wind stops at the autumn waters, agreeing to face the future together.

On the day of his discharge from Anning Hospital, Xiaoman and Chunchun walk out hand in hand. While waiting for the bus, Chunchun notes that life will inevitably bring new difficulties. Xiaoman promises to take on the responsibility and shoulder whatever burdens come their way. Chunchun vows to hold his hand tightly and never let go. When they arrive home, Dongdong is delighted to see them together, offering his full support and noting how well they suit each other.

Xiaoman later visits his mentor, Ding Guoqiang, to share the news of his relationship. Ding is impressed by Chunchun’s practical and respectful nature, which brings him peace of mind. During the visit, a news report features Yu Qiangbei, who has become a successful entrepreneur and a well-known philanthropist since returning to the country two years ago, owning various boutique malls and entertainment centers.

Meanwhile, Yan Xiaodan takes her father, Yan Wenyuan, to visit the house she designed for Dongdong and Sun Lulu. Despite his memory issues, Wenyuan critiques the design harshly, calling it a "failed design" that prioritizes aesthetics over comfort. He points out that the open kitchen is impractical for fumes and that tearing down the main wall for a "spacious" look allows the freezing Northeast winter winds to howl through the house.

His comments echo the professional criticisms Xiaodan has received about her work being a "Tower of Babel"—beautiful but detached from reality. This critique forces Xiaodan to deeply reflect on her design philosophy, and new ideas begin to emerge. Xia Lei returns to the East Chemical Plant and finds Xiaoman helping Chunchun transport flowers. They discuss the news that their former teacher, Mr. Gu, is moving away.

The group decides to help him move in the middle of the night to avoid disturbing the neighbors and to ensure he can move into his son's house in Tiecheng smoothly. The gesture deeply moves the old teacher. Back at home, Xia Lei’s mother, Tong Guizhen, encourages him to stay rooted in Shanghai rather than returning to his hometown to work. The next day, Xia Lei meets with Director Song at Factory No. 3 to discuss a potential foreign acquisition.

Song tries to negotiate a higher price, claiming the machinery has been meticulously maintained despite the factory being idle for two years. The experience of helping the teacher move inspires Xiaoman to start his own moving company. He believes that with so many people leaving the plant for the city, there is a significant business opportunity, especially with Tiecheng developing well.

Chunchun supports the idea immediately, offering the space above her flower shop as an office where she can help take calls and manage orders. Xia Lei also agrees it is a viable venture, calling moving a "trend." Xiaoman later brings a nervous Chunchun to formally visit Ding Guoqiang and Zhou Huiying, where she quickly earns their approval with her down-to-earth attitude, respect, and politeness.

When Yan Wenyuan wanders off alone to "inspect" the plant, Xiaodan and her mother are frantic with worry. Fortunately, Xiaoman finds him and brings him safely home. This reunion allows Xiaoman and Xiaodan to speak as old friends; they exchange peaceful blessings, finally at ease with one another. Xiaoman mentions he has recovered enough to lead a normal life, and Xiaodan shares her plans regarding work and her father's care before she eventually returns to France.

Xiaoman also informs her that he plans to take her father to meet the mental hospital's Teacher Gu the next morning. A short time later, Xiaoman takes Yan Wenyuan to the hospital to meet the other Mr. Gu, his former teacher and fellow patient. The two men click instantly, engaging in a deep, albeit eccentric, conversation about quantum mechanics, déjà vu, and the "quantum entanglement" between their past and present selves.

As they discuss the idea that no choice is truly wrong in the grand scheme of things, Xiaodan watches from a distance. She had intended to thank Xiaoman for helping her father, but upon witnessing the warmth of Xiaoman’s new life with Chunchun in his old house, she feels a pang of sadness. She finally finds the strength to pack away her old photos of him, choosing to move forward just as he has.

Zhang Xiaoman officially launched Manyi Moving with a festive opening, supported by Wang Tieda and Dongdong. Their first job for a client named Mr. Zhao was a resounding success; the team went so far as to photograph his bookshelves to ensure every book was returned to its original order in the new home. This meticulous approach impressed a neighboring lady, who immediately asked for a business card.

However, their rising reputation quickly drew the unwelcome attention of Wang Jinlong from Jinlong Moving. Meanwhile, Yan Wenyuan encountered Zhuang Dalin during a stroll and couldn't help but criticize his chess skills, calling him a lousy player. The two old men bickered in the street until Yan Xiaodan arrived to pull her agitated father away for dinner. The struggle over the future of the East Chemical Plant intensified as Xia Lei met with Director Song to discuss the acquisition.

Song remained difficult, hinting that a southern entity was offering a higher price, leading to an unproductive meeting. Outside the office, Xia Lei confronted Fan Weijie, questioning his sudden alliance with Kong Peng.

Fan challenged Xia Lei’s ambitions, asking if he was content always playing a subordinate role, and warned him that Fenlier had no intention of genuinely revitalizing the plant or retaining the veteran staff; they only wanted the production capacity and distribution channels, intending to purge veteran workers, much like they did at another plant. Xia Lei later shared these concerns with Meng Ge, who had already suspected such collusion and urged him to stay sharp and find a counter-strategy.

In an effort to crush the competition, Jinlong Moving began undercutting Manyi Moving by offering half-price services. They successfully lured away a client named Liu, who chose the cheaper option despite having a prior agreement with Xiaoman. While Wang Tieda was ready to settle the matter with his fists, Ding Guoqiang intervened, reminding them that harmony brings wealth. However, the tension escalated when someone pelted the flower shop windows with rotten eggs.

Fed up with the harassment, Wang Tieda and Dongdong retaliated by ambushing Wang Jinlong, the head of Jinlong Moving, and dousing him in stinky tofu. A few days later, Wang Jinlong attempted to intimidate them at their shop, but Xiaoman easily pinned him to the ground, forcing him to retreat in embarrassment. During a work shift, Zhang Xiaoman came across a frantic Zhuang Dalin, who revealed that Yan Wenyuan had wandered off while they were out digging for wild vegetables.

Zhang Xiaoman, Ye Chunchun, and Dongdong joined the search, and Xiaoman eventually found the elderly man sitting quietly at the factory cemetery, conversing with a tombstone. To protect Yan Wenyuan’s dignity, Xiaoman lied to the arriving Yan Xiaodan and Xia Lei, claiming they were all participating in an extracurricular activity together. Relieved her father was safe, Xiaodan expressed her deep gratitude to Xiaoman.

Later, a woman sought out Manyi Moving after Jinlong Moving tried to extort her for extra labor fees mid-move. When Wang Jinlong showed up to cause trouble again, Xiaoman simply pretended to call the police, causing the bully to flee once more. Seeking to mend old wounds, Zhuang Dalin visited the Yan household to offer a sincere apology. He confessed that he and other workers had long viewed Yan Wenyuan as a deserter for moving to Shanghai years ago.

Yan Wenyuan explained that while he left for his daughter's education, his heart had never truly departed from the East Chemical Plant, and he wished to spend his final days there, as he felt he owed it to the factory. With the misunderstanding finally cleared, the two old friends reconciled, with Yan Xiaodan sent to buy good liquor.

Looking to the future, Xiaoman discussed expanding Manyi Moving into a high-end, one-stop service that included packing, organizing, and cleaning, an idea Ye Chunchun fully supported. The rivalry with Wang Jinlong took a final turn when the bully returned with a group of thugs. Fortunately, Mr. Gu, a wealthy man Xiaoman had met at the hospital (and referred to as "Big Brother"), arrived with a team of bodyguards just in time.

Terrified by the display of power, Wang Jinlong fled for good. It turned out that Mr. Gu, who suffered from bipolar disorder and had been staying at a mental hospital, was actually a successful developer looking to build a resort. Impressed by Xiaoman, he paid several thousand yuan in advance for a high-end move.

As Zhuang Dalin shared stories of the past with Xiaodan and Xia Lei, they learned that the death of a fellow worker, Zhao Cun, in a factory accident was the root of Yan Wenyuan’s long-standing guilt. Xia Lei found himself deeply moved by the profound sense of community and the human touch that defined the older generation of the East Chemical Plant. Later that evening, Zhang Xiaoman and Wang Tieda discussed the potential acquisition of the East Chemical Plant.

They affirmed their commitment, vowing to stay put regardless of the factory's future. The threat to the plant's future remained, as Yu Qiangbei and Zhao Zhigang met with Director Song. Song revealed that Xia Lei, a son of the factory, was representing Fenlier in acquisition talks, making it difficult for him to accept Yu Qiangbei's offer.

Upon learning that Xia Lei was a close friend of Zhang Xiaoman, Yu Qiangbei directed Zhao Zhigang to spread rumors to sabotage the acquisition and force Director Song to yield. Zhao Zhigang approached a worker named Shi Dongming, claiming that Xia Lei was merely a middleman looking to sell the plant for a quick profit and had no real ability to revitalize it. However, Shi Dongming remained steadfast in his trust of Director Song and Xia Lei, refusing to believe the malicious gossip.

Zhigang finds Zhang Xiaoman and brings up Yu Qiangbei’s intent to acquire the plant, noting that Xia Lei’s sudden interference has disrupted the entire plan. Zhigang warns that Xia Lei is blocking everyone's road to wealth and urges Zhang Xiaoman to talk his friend out of it. When Zhang Xiaoman finds Xia Lei later, Xia Lei explains that he has been caught in a complex trap, leaving him in a precarious position where he is misunderstood by those around him.

That evening, the friends gather for hotpot. Encouraged by Zhigang, Shi Dongming brings alcohol and tries to coax information out of Xia Lei. He initially praises Xia Lei as a hero for the buyout, hoping it means job security for everyone. However, the atmosphere sours when Xia Lei admits he doesn't call the shots and urges his old friends to look beyond the East Chemical Plant rather than waiting for others to feed them.

This remark deeply offends those who take pride in their work and their hometown, feeling looked down upon for staying. Shi Dongming storms out, accusing Xia Lei of prioritizing his corporate salary over the survival of his own people. Zhang Xiaoman also clashes with Xia Lei, arguing that he has no right to look down on those who stayed behind, as they are the ones who built the foundation of the world Xia Lei now inhabits.

The next morning, Zhang Xiaoman finds Ye Chunchun planting lilies in the yard. Despite the harsh Northeast winter, she explains that as long as the roots are protected, the flowers will bloom again. This conversation strikes a chord with Zhang Xiaoman, making him realize that the factory represents the roots of their entire community. Ye Chunchun comforts him, suggesting that as long as they don't forget where they came from, their roots will always remain.

The tension escalates when a formal notice about relocating the entire factory to Yingkou is posted on the bulletin board. Zhuang Sen quickly tears it down, desperate to hide the news from the fragile Yan Wenyuan. Mrs. Yan is equally anxious, fearing that her husband’s improving memory and health might suffer a setback if he hears the news, so she strictly forbids Yan Xiaodan from mentioning it. Despite their efforts, hostility toward Xia Lei grows.

A brick is thrown through the Xia family's window at night. Xia Lei tries to arrange for his parents to stay in a hotel for safety, but they stubbornly refuse to be driven out of their home. Ye Chunchun stops Zhang Xiaoman from rushing to help immediately, believing that Xia Lei needs to understand the weight of being alienated from his community.

Shi Dongming continues to spread rumors that Xia Lei is an ingrate who only cares about his salary, leading to a heated argument with Zhang Xiaoman. Even Xia Lei's father, Xia Limin, brands his son an ingrate for not confiding in them. However, young Dongdong remains steadfast in his belief that Xia Lei would never intentionally harm his own family.

Xia Lei meets with Director Song and learns that the rival bidder, Yu Qiangbei, is planning a deceptive scheme involving pre-sale housing and advance rent that would likely ruin the workers' futures. Director Song compares the factory to a fallen old horse that outsiders are eager to butcher for profit, and he expresses his hope that someone who truly loves the East Chemical Plant will save it.

Witnessing Yan Wenyuan and other retired technicians working tirelessly to repair old machinery for him, Xia Lei is deeply moved and resolves to rescue the factory himself. Xia Lei returns to Shanghai and confronts Kong Peng, realizing he was being used as a scapegoat for the company's unauthorized actions and unauthorized price hikes. Rejecting Kong Peng’s cynical view that the factory is worthless, Xia Lei submits his resignation, choosing to become a lone wolf to save Factory No. 3.

Back in Tiecheng, he shares his resignation with Zhang Xiaoman, Ye Chunchun, and Yan Xiaodan, and they all pledge their full support for his mission. When Zhuang Sen's son accidentally lets the relocation news slip to Yan Wenyuan, the old man's condition worsens, and he becomes withdrawn. To save his spirit, the group organizes a "Yesterday Once More" plan to make him believe the factory is still fully operational.

Zhuang Sen coordinates with other retired workers to recreate a bustling work environment, even having his son pretend to be a new engineer. Yan Wenyuan begins carrying his briefcase to the office every day, and his state of mind improves as he resumes his role as Chief Engineer, demanding logbooks and checking safety valves on the reactors. The retired workers, finding renewed purpose in these staged roles, become even more energetic than anticipated.

While sorting through his belongings, Xia Lei finds a business card from Eight and realizes the factory could transition into the lithium battery industry. He proposes repurposing the existing chemical production lines and environmental systems to manufacture lithium battery electrolytes, which he calls the blood of new energy vehicles. He begins pitching this plan to investors like Mr. Li, emphasizing the huge market potential and the factory's existing infrastructure advantages. His efforts begin to show results, and he gains the attention and appreciation of some investors.

To make the "Yesterday Once More" project as convincing as possible, Zhuang Sen specifically enlists Ding Guoqiang to participate. Ding is initially reluctant, worrying that he is too soft-hearted and will be overwhelmed by the emotions of the past. However, out of concern for Yan Wenyuan’s condition, he eventually agrees to visit him alongside Zhang Xiaoman. Stepping back into the familiar surroundings, the old friends reminisce about their days as apprentices under Master Niu.

They recall the "rough and tough" training that shaped them into level-eight workers, laughing about the whirlwind kicks their master used to discipline them. Yan Wenyuan reflects on the factory’s tradition of the older generation holding the hands of the younger ones, guiding them forward. Moved by the weight of their shared history, Ding Guoqiang has to excuse himself to hide his tears, though Zhang Xiaoman eventually cheers him up as they leave the plant together.

Meanwhile, the situation surrounding the factory acquisition becomes increasingly volatile. Since Fenlier has begun an internal investigation into Kong Peng, Fan Weijie finds himself working alone. Zhao Zhigang, acting on behalf of Yu Qiangbei, confronts Fan with a veiled threat, warning him to return to the south and questioning if his resolve is as tough as the steel in the plant.

Unfazed by the surrounding pressure, Xia Lei reaches out to his old friend Eight, who agrees without hesitation to join the effort to save East Chemical Plant. Zhang Xiaoman’s new business, Manyi Moving, finally lands its first major client. Despite the client’s reputation for being difficult due to his bipolar disorder, Zhang Xiaoman and his crew, including Wang Tieda, work with such meticulous care that even the most critical person cannot find a single fault.

Ye Chunchun arrives with a bouquet of flowers to celebrate the housewarming, prompting the delighted client to place a standing order for flower arrangements for both his parents' and his in-laws' homes. Nearby, Yan Wenyuan continues his "work" at the plant, watched over by his wife and daughter. Seeing him so immersed in his tasks, just as he was in his youth, Yan Wenyuan's wife is moved to tears, wondering how such a dedicated man could have fallen ill.

She brings him a meal of braised pork and green beans, and as they eat together, Yan Wenyuan, ever the workaholic, even asks her to bring soup next time to combat the dry weather. Under the cover of night, Factory No. 3 is targeted by vandals who smash the machinery. Rather than retreating, Xia Lei uses the incident to reach out to Fan Weijie again.

He acknowledges the hardships Fan faced trying to save his own plant in the past and proposes a partnership to revitalize Factory No. 3. While Fan is skeptical about competing with large-scale capital, Xia Lei reveals a bold new direction for the factory: transitioning to the production of electrolytes for new energy batteries. He argues that with the right technology and the favorable market in the Pearl River Delta, they can give the factory a new lease on life.

As the "Yesterday Once More" performance continues, Zhuang Sen visits Yan Wenyuan’s office to announce his own "retirement." He tries to convince Yan to follow suit and enjoy a quiet life at home, but the act becomes too real for him. Zhuang Sen finds himself genuinely choked up by the thought of leaving the workshop after forty years of service. That evening, Yan Wenyuan sits with his wife, looking out over the silent factory grounds.

With tears in his eyes, he questions what legacy he has truly left behind, and she gently assures him that he has already given his all. The pressure on Xia Lei intensifies when Zhao Zhigang intercepts him, using his father’s safety as a taxi driver to threaten him into backing out of the acquisition. Undeterred, Xia Lei organizes a dinner at his parents' house to make a final plea to Fan Weijie.

His parents, Xia Limin and Tong Guizhen, show Fan the highest form of etiquette by drinking three consecutive toasts in his honor. Though frustrated by the emotional pressure, Fan Weijie’s stance softens when he sees the detailed proposal and realizes Xia Lei has already included him as a shareholder. On the day of the formal bidding, Yu Qiangbei arrives confidently, believing he is the only legitimate bidder left.

However, Xia Lei has been forcibly detained by Zhao Zhigang’s men to prevent him from reaching the meeting. As the deadline approaches, Meng Ge appears to represent Fenlier, skillfully stalling for time. Simultaneously, Zhang Xiaoman and his moving crew orchestrate a daring rescue at the building where Xia Lei is being held. Using a fake fire alarm to create a diversion, they clear the guards and extract Xia Lei just in time.

Xia Lei and Fan Weijie burst into the tender meeting at the final minute to submit their bid. With the police arriving to take Yu Qiangbei into custody for his illegal tactics, his scheme is finally dismantled. Seeing the determination and vision shown by the two men, Meng Ge announces that she will represent Fenlier in investing in the factory’s new future.

As Factory No. 3 prepared for its official reopening, Xia Lei and his colleagues organized a surprise retirement ceremony for Yan Wenyuan at the East Chemical Plant. Yan Wenyuan was deeply moved as he stepped onto the stage to the sound of applause. He reflected on his forty-year journey from a young technician to the Chief Engineer, describing himself as a lighthouse that had guided the plant through its most challenging years.

During his speech, he recounted the heavy sacrifices made by his peers, such as Zhao Zhiwei, who was the first to charge into a high-temperature reactor repair but never made it out, and Jia Yulan, a thirty-two-year-old female technician who lost her life during a tower installation accident. Yan Wenyuan also shared a personal memory from September 17, 1980.

While he was caught between a critical repair job and the birth of his daughter, a young Ding Guoqiang suggested tying a red ribbon to the machinery for good luck. The repair succeeded, and Yan Wenyuan made it to the hospital in time to hear his daughter’s first cry. He eventually named her Yan Xiaodan, incorporating the character for "red" (丹) to commemorate that day.

As he concluded, he admitted that during the years the factory sat silent, he often sat on the second floor at night, wondering when it would finally wake up. He thanked Xia Lei for bringing the plant back to life and presented him with the old pen he had used to sign every blueprint of his career. Entrusting the workers to the younger generation, Yan Wenyuan asked Xia Lei to look after his old comrades.

Xia Lei accepted the pen solemnly, promising never to let the workers down. Seeing the emotional atmosphere, Ding Guoqiang spoke up, noting that he had not yet reached retirement age and still possessed all his technical skills. Xia Lei immediately announced that Ding Guoqiang was to return to his post effective immediately.

Sun Lulu concluded the ceremony by quoting Pavel Korchagin, dedicating the moment to the four decades of selfless service by the employees of the East Chemical Plant and all Third Front Plants. Xia Lei declared that the new factory would retain the name of Factory No. 3 to uphold the spirit of their predecessors and strive for new heights. At home, Ye Chunchun steamed a large batch of pickled cabbage buns.

When Zhang Xiaoman returned, he mentioned seeing a veteran worker, Mr. Li, heading home with only a bag of dried tofu and some green onions for a meager dinner. This prompted Xiaoman to reflect on how he had grown up eating the food of everyone in the factory district.

Realizing that many elderly workers were now living alone and struggling to care for themselves, he decided to start a communal kitchen to give back to the generation that had raised him. Ye Chunchun fully supported his decision, proud that the boy who once mooched meals had grown into a man capable of feeding others. Meanwhile, Yan Wenyuan’s condition worsened as his memory began to fail.

He struggled to recognize his own wife, questioning how she had entered his home and insisting his wife was much younger and prettier. However, some memories remained vivid, such as the pride he felt for Yan Xiaodan winning a first-prize award for reciting "To the Oak Tree." Yan Xiaodan sat with her father, showing him the designs for the future.

She promised him that the Mahavira Hall he had designed would not be demolished but would instead be preserved as a landmark of the Third Front Construction within a new culture and creative park. In a brief moment of miraculous clarity, Yan Wenyuan remembered her and her plans to work in France. He told her not to worry about him, as he was doing fine. Shortly after this final connection with his daughter, he passed away peacefully.

The day eventually came for the massive relocation of the East Chemical Plant. As loudspeakers announced the departure of the first batch of residents from the family quarters, workers and their families packed their belongings, including old furniture and scrap wood they couldn't bear to leave behind. A long convoy of vehicles prepared to leave as the familiar melody of "Singing of the Motherland" played over the radio, echoing the history of the Third Front Construction.

Ding Guoqiang, his voice thick with emotion, told his old comrades that while they were heading toward a new life at the new plant, this place would always be their true hometown. Yan Xiaodan captured the scene with her camera, regretful that she couldn't record the face of every single person but knowing their legacy would never be forgotten.

In a quiet moment amidst the changes, Zhang Xiaoman and Xia Lei visited the old bathhouse they had frequented since they were boys. Looking at the small lockers, they wondered how they used to stuff their heavy winter coats inside. They reminisced about how the crowded baths felt like dumplings in a pot and how Xia Lei, after returning from Shanghai, would spend entire afternoons soaking there.

Xiaoman noted that even though he had seen the grand hot springs in Japan, nothing compared to the warmth of their home bathhouse. Later, the community gathered at Yan Wenyuan’s grave to pay their respects. Xiaoman and Ye Chunchun also visited the graves of Xiaoman’s grandparents. Clearing the fallen leaves, Xiaoman introduced Chunchun to them, promising that he would stay at the plant forever to welcome anyone who chose to return.

Chunchun stood by his side, vowing to take care of him and manage their home together. Observing this scene, Ding Guoqiang and his wife were filled with emotion. Before Yan Xiaodan returned to France, Xia Lei accompanied her to the Workers' Cultural Center. Standing on the stage where they had spent so much of their youth, Yan Xiaodan began to recite "To the Oak Tree." Xia Lei joined her, reciting the verses perfectly alongside her.

He confessed that on the day of her original performance, he had intentionally made his voice hoarse because he felt a twinge of regret seeing her on stage with Xiaoman. They laughed, agreeing that such feelings were simply the essence of youth. They later met Zhang Xiaoman at the old bridge, discussing how their dreams had evolved.

While Yan Xiaodan once wanted to build the tallest skyscrapers, she now wished to design homes where people could live with peace of mind. She realized that while the other side of the bridge offered scenery, this side was home. Xiaoman added that guarding a place was often more difficult than leaving it to seek higher ground. By 2012, Factory No. 3 was thriving under the national strategy to revitalize the Northeast.

Xia Lei drove through the city with Ding Guoqiang, noting how the policies had helped their operations reach new levels of success. In France, Yan Xiaodan’s architectural designs gained international acclaim. She explained to her partners that her inspiration was drawn from a small, warm place called the East Chemical Plant, a town built by her father’s generation that she had seen decline and be reborn.

Back at home, the culture and creative park had become a success, attracting children of Third Front workers from across the country. Zhuang Sen recorded the lively visitors and sent the video to Yan Xiaodan, asking when their great designer would return to see the results. Finally, Zhang Xiaoman led Ye Chunchun to the bridge, asking her to close her eyes as they walked several steps forward.

When she opened them, she was greeted by a vibrant field of flowers with the factory standing proudly in the background. Xiaoman remarked that he used to think his world ended there, but he now realized what he had was more than enough. Resting her head on his shoulder, Chunchun noted that life didn't need to be perfect to be complete. For them, "Xiaoman," a name meaning "small fullness," was all the fulfillment they needed.