Shanghai in 1920 was not only a paradise for adventurers, but also a melting pot where old and new ideas collided fiercely.
It started when Hu Dieyi returned to China after completing his studies. She was born into a wealthy financial family, but she harbored dreams of music and literature, and longed for freedom and equality. On the cruise ship returning to Shanghai, she met Yang Jingxiu, the young master of Shanghai's business overlord and Yongsheng Group, and Li Junru, the upright son of the warlord. The three people became connected by an accident, and their destinies have been intertwined ever since.
Yang Jingxiu, who looks gentle and elegant, but is actually decisive and decisive, is a well-known figure in the Shanghai business community. He fell in love with Hu Dieyi at first sight, but there was an insurmountable gap between the two in class concepts and life path choices. Although Li Junru comes from a warlord family, he cares about the common people and is dissatisfied with his father's tyranny. He admires Hu Dieyi's independence and kindness, but cannot fully follow his heart due to family responsibilities.
At the same time, Shanghai's underground world is undercurrent. Local forces, led by Youth Gang leader Peng Sihai, are engaged in a desperate struggle with comprador capital, represented by banker Zhao Botao, and emerging industrial giant Qian Boyong in fields such as cotton yarn, finance, and shipping. As a new generation of business leader, Yang Jingxiu must not only safeguard the dignity of the national industry, but also deal with various forces.
Hu Dieyi sympathized with the people at the bottom, and with the support of Yang Jingxiu and Li Junru, he opened a night school for civilians and met Zhou Mingcheng, a progressive young man. Zhou Mingcheng's idealistic feelings deeply moved Hu Dieyi, allowing her to see the possibility of another life.
As the Northern Expedition approaches, Shanghai is turbulent. In order to preserve the foundation of the national industry, Yang Jingxiu was forced to make compromises with all forces, even cooperating with the Youth Gang; Li Junru was trapped in the painful choice of being loyal to his family or loyal to his faith. After witnessing the darkness and injustice in society, Hu Dieyi gradually grew from an idealistic literary young woman to a new woman who bravely pursues the truth.
The outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War disrupted everything. Yang Jingxiu spent all his wealth to support the Anti-Japanese War and eventually went to Southeast Asia to establish a new business territory in a foreign country; Li Junru saw clearly the corruption of the old warlords during the war and resolutely devoted himself to a greater cause, and later moved to Hong Kong due to changes in the current situation; After Hu Dieyi experienced complex and profound emotional entanglements with the two male protagonists, she finally chose Zhou Mingcheng, a writer who highly resonated with her spirit, to travel to the United States together to record the times with words and music and spread Chinese culture.
The novel outlines a magnificent Ukiyo-e of the Republic of China with three pairs of men and women, three classes, and three life choices. Justice will eventually defeat evil. No matter where they are, their love for their country and their pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty remain the same.
Concept: The novel outlines a magnificent Ukiyo-e of the Republic of China with three pairs of men and women, three classes, and three life choices. Justice will eventually defeat evil. No matter where they are, their love for their country and their pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty remain the same.