The story begins with the collapse of the protagonist’s career and marriage. At 35, Xu Heng is widely regarded as the municipal party committee office’s top writer, yet he unexpectedly loses out in the crucial competition for deputy secretary-general. He soon discovers that his wife’s secret was the hidden reason he failed to secure the position. Just as his life hits rock bottom, an unexpected crisis catches the eye of a “stone-faced” leader from the provincial government, giving him the first major turning point of his career. As he carefully navigates the path to a new beginning, he must contend with the many troubles left behind by his ex-wife and family, factional infighting in officialdom, and the repeated clashes between his personal values and the rules of the system. In the end, he must find his own way to serve as an official.
