The book unfolds as a multi-line narrative, with the background being a modern metropolis and vast border areas where wars continue and power changes frequently. As a retired journalist, Sean Mahler travels among various groups, recording the absurdity of troubled times, and witnessing the absurdity of the system and individual struggles. Leah Grayman rescued patients among the ruins and held on to the glimmer of humanity with her partners. Tarek Andy leads a team of skirmishers, skillfully dealing with warlords, governments and black market forces, and insisting on justice while laughing at himself. Bernard Wolf hovers in a high position of power, appearing loyal to the system, but actually secretly promoting reforms; Mingyuan connects multiple civil organizations and becomes the spokesperson for the ideal of peace in troubled times. The five main lines are intertwined and advanced, experiencing artillery suppression, power conspiracy and absurd system impact. Groups collide and cooperate with each other, resisting fate with humor, irony and warmth. After experiencing confusion and struggle, each character grew up tenaciously in the gap between ideal and reality, and finally jointly promoted peace actions and brought hope to troubled times. The book uses a tight rhythm, ups and downs, and a humorous and satirical perspective to show the group portraits of troubled times, and finally ends with the blending of ideals and reality.
