Lately, the workers at Shanghai's steel mill have been talking about the branch factory more than anything else over their meals.
The steel mill's residential compound is packed to bursting, and getting an apartment there seems a long way off. But at the branch factory, you get an apartment as soon as you arrive, with a chance to become a manager too.
Everything sounds great, except that it's in Jiangcheng, a poor county a thousand li from Shanghai.
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Yu Yue has barely had time to celebrate getting promoted from serving food in the steel mill cafeteria to the finance department when she learns that, to pay for her second older brother's wedding home, her family plans to marry her off to the slick son of a factory bigwig.
They call it giving her a comfortable life.
They take turns persuading her to be sensible.
The two meet for a blind date at a state-run restaurant.
The factory bigwig's son is of average height, with a bulbous nose. From head to toe, he practically announces how good a catch he is. He condescendingly tells Yu Yue to transfer to an easy job after they marry, have a child as soon as possible, and put family first.
Yu Yue: Whoever wants this so-called comfortable life can have it!
*
At the table across the aisle, Song Yan is on a blind date too.
His stepmother has vouched for the woman.
Someone passes by carrying a fish, and the woman who had seemed so gentle and composed suddenly starts retching. A doctor at the table behind them feels her pulse.
"Congratulations, comrade. You're three months along."
Song Yan: ...
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Yu Yue "unwisely" hands in her application and boards the train to Jiangcheng.
The branch factory is in its infancy and desperately needs talent.
Through hard work and natural ability, Yu Yue gradually becomes a key member of the branch factory's finance department.
The women in the trade union also start worrying about the single workers' love lives.
Another blind date at a state-run restaurant.
Yu Yue: Why is it you?
Song Yan: Why is it you?
Theme: Work hard to build a happy life.
