[A tiny chip carries the confidence of a great nation; years of perseverance embody the responsibility of youth.]
Within the tiny confines of a chip lies a long and difficult struggle to break through.
Only after Lin Yan arrives at the Chip Research Institute in Beijing's Science and Innovation Park does he truly understand the industry's realities. Seniority can stifle ideas, playing it safe takes priority over innovation, and an immature new proposal can easily become a target for everyone's criticism.
He must fight for resources in a complicated workplace, persuade wary leaders, and face deliberate obstruction and the theft of his team's achievements.
Su Qinghe is an expert in algorithms, calm and restrained. She refuses to take sides, yet when one testing crisis after another arises, she chooses to stand with Lin Yan. External restrictions close in from every direction, available manufacturing channels are limited, and the existing architectural approach has reached a dead end.
The team is split up and reassembled. Failures come one after another, and voices of doubt ring out both within and beyond the industry.
They abandon efforts to improve the existing design and choose to build a completely new architecture from scratch. Every simulation and every chip fabrication run is a contest against time and technological barriers.
There are no opportunities that fall from the sky, only constant trial and error and steadfast perseverance.
The river of chips never stops surging. Some leave along the way, while others remain by their side.
As they withstand the encirclement closing in from outside and hold fast to their ideals, they discover the precious bonds they share on this demanding scientific research journey.
