Siheyuan: Sent Back to 1948 by a Reincarnation Watch

In December 1953, Beijing had just seen a heavy snowfall. But as people walked the streets, they saw none of the silvery, dazzling winter scenery. Dust blowing in from the north, smoke from factory chimneys, and ash left behind by residents burning coal had turned the snow on the branches a murky gray, like an old photograph.

At the entrance to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Plant, a young man in his twenties stepped down from a tricycle. He was six feet tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp brows, bright eyes, and a handsome face. He took off his leather gloves, pulled a few small bills from his pocket, took out thirty cents, and handed it to the driver. Out of consideration for the winter weather, he gave the cart driver an extra ten cents.