In the latter part of the 20th century, Lu Xiaolu, a recent technical school graduate, finds himself employed at a chemical plant. He is uncertain about his future and unsure of the direction his life should take. Lacking in expertise, Lu Xiaolu spends his time indulging in games, getting into scuffles with coworkers, and frequently redoing tasks that were not done well initially. Despite these challenges, he becomes enamored with a lovely young woman named Bai Lan, whom he courts and ultimately falls for. However, Bai Lan decides to pursue further studies and unexpectedly departs for Shanghai.