Often Often Often

The story takes place from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, beginning in 1968 and ending before 1990. It is based primarily on real events. In Fuxin, Liaoning Province, a city renowned throughout the country for its coal and power industries, junior high school graduates from the Class of 1968 answered the call to go up to the mountains and down to the countryside, settling in rural villages. A large number of young students, represented by the educated youth Zheng Fangtong, faced hardship in remote villages, striving hard, persevering, and pressing forward. They stayed humble after their achievements, never backing down in the face of difficulty, and ultimately accomplished something in their respective fields, contributing to their country and its people. Meanwhile, young locals represented by Li Limeng broke through conventional thinking and dared to challenge old traditions. Though they endured many trials and hardships, they struggled to survive and thrive in adversity, achieving remarkable success and setting an example for young people in the countryside.

Forged in the great furnace of society, these young people grew from children who knew nothing of the world into pillars of the nation. Some rose to leadership positions, some became well-known public figures, and others became experts and scholars. Their family and personal lives were not always satisfactory, but they had their bright spots, too, and ultimately all found good endings.