A simple, kindhearted young man from a mountain village takes on the burden of supporting his family after a sudden upheaval. But when things at home finally settle down and it's time to think about marriage, he realizes with dismay that he's already a grown man, and the girls around him have changed along with society. Because his family is poor, he is rejected over and over on blind dates. After suffering one hurt after another, he finally leaves his little mountain village and steps into a world he knows nothing about. By chance, he catches the train of progress, braves the waves, finds companionship in books, and discovers his own path in life.
Set in the countryside, this realistic novel uses the story of a young man to reflect the many changes brought by rapid social development. When kindness and honesty are no longer enough to get by, and morality becomes tangled up with money, how can we hold on to our principles, be true to ourselves, and choose the right path forward? These are questions everyone should consider deeply. Perhaps you'll see a reflection of yourself here, too.
