Set in Shenyang in the early days of reform and opening up, this is a funny, inspiring story about Hu Lai, a young man from humble beginnings who turns his skill at firing ceramics into a success. Once mocked for “playing in the mud and getting nowhere,” he starts with a kiln made from an iron drum, determined to preserve the old craft as he stumbles his way through the world of entrepreneurship.
The story is full of the everyday warmth of Northeast China. From a mishap involving red-glazed characters for “double happiness,” to a “not-quite-a-cat” lucky cat design, to patches on a Dacron shirt, every detail brings ordinary people vividly to life. Ma Yiyan's elaborate scam-bumping antics, Auntie Pang's tough exterior and soft heart, and Grandpa Wang's passing down of his craft all create a steady stream of laughs.
From setting up a stall at the night market to landing bulk orders, and from operating without a license to opening a legitimate factory, Hu Lai uses hard work and determination to silence his doubters and breathe new life into traditional ceramics in the 1980s. Humor helps soften the hardships of starting a business, while passion shows the value of perseverance. The story captures the spirit of the early reform era and conveys a simple belief: ordinary people can make their way in the world with a craft of their own.
