In 1964, Yan Jiecheng graduated from university and returned to the courtyard compound. His job assignment was nowhere in sight, and he first became one more mouth to feed at the Yan family dinner table.
At long last, he got into the Third Steel Rolling Mill's technical department. He thought he could get by on what he had learned from books, but the first time he set foot on the workshop floor, a veteran worker taught him a thing or two.
The courtyard had its own goings-on, and the factory had its own rules.
As for his old man, who was forever tapping away at his abacus...
First, let the whole family eat their fill. Then they could slowly build a better life.
