The Mining Compound, 1992

[Main story complete; bonus chapters updated from time to time]

In 1992, in a mining compound, the Tao family had twin girls:

Older sister: a quiet, stubborn girl (fair-skinned, calm, and top of her class)

Younger sister: an easily placated firecracker (dark-skinned, mischievous, and an athlete)

When the news came,

their dad's lottery ticket won 600,000 yuan in the very next draw!

Their mom, still recovering from childbirth, praised the two little treasures for arriving with their own provisions!

Their professor grandpa, who'd been hospitalized after his students drove him up the wall, sprang up like a carp and was discharged that very day.

Their grandma, who would become a painter, sipped cola and ate fried chicken, praising him for being in tip-top shape!

Their uncle, an angler who never caught a thing, suddenly reeled in two lively little fish.

The neighbor's cat, raised by a Taoist girl, was so tempted that it kept circling him.

Their opera-loving aunt became a disciple of a celebrated dan performer.

A Mei school successor fell in love with her at first sight and vowed never to marry anyone else.

[Little Scene]

Time: After midnight

Place: By the river

Activity: Fishing

Younger sister: Sis, I'm scared.

Uncle: What are you scared of? Aren't you a big girl who can hold up the sky?

Younger sister: I am! (clenches fist)

Older sister: ...Uncle, look over there...

Uncle: (terrified face) (screams)

Younger sister: Uncle, don't be scared. We're big women who can hold up the sky!

Older sister: Why are you screaming? Call 110.

[Reading Guide]

1. Ensemble cast, mainly about one family.

2. Heartwarming daily life in a mining compound.

3. The story spans a long period, from the 1990s into the twenty-first century.

4. The career storyline contains creative liberties and isn't meant to be scrutinized for historical accuracy.

[Coming soon: The Huo Family's Jinx Is Actually a Bodhisattva]

"Have you heard? The jinx the Huo family raised in the countryside has been brought back."

"I heard she went straight to the Gu family and caused a huge scene, upsetting the Gu family's old madam so much she fainted."

"That's right. In the end, Second Master Gu grabbed Miss Huo by the collar and threw her out."

"Second Master Gu? He's as cool and ethereal as an immortal. I can't believe she made him angry enough to lay hands on her."

"Now the Huo and Gu families are going to be at each other's throats."

"You can say that again."

Much later, Second Master Gu, who was like an immortal, followed Miss Huo around like a puppy, coaxing her meekly: "I brought this chocolate back especially for you. Try some."

Huo Zhi, a member of the national department for handling special (supernatural) incidents: I'm busy.

Theme: Aspire to the mountains, journey toward the mountains, become the mountains