In the 1980s and 1990s, in the fictional Jingchu border town of Lanchuan County, a child who was afraid of water, being beaten, and being looked down upon learned to protect himself by standing next to teachers, class committee members, and registration books. He went from red scarf and league emblem to a key high school, turning selective honesty, procedures and sincere introspection into a ladder to the provincial capital. Friends have poured water for him, pressed switches, and walked into rainy nights for him; but he has become the most eye-catching name in the materials time and time again. This is not the story of a born evil person, but how a timid boy grew up to be the best at explaining himself amidst applause, files and competition for admission to higher schools. The characters, place names, schools and events in the book are all fictitious.
Purpose: Examining how cowardice, power, and self-deception shape character