Wang Xiangpu

Yang, the director of a farm machinery factory, is a manager who cares only about production targets and pays little attention to the everyday lives of his workers. His wife, Auntie Yang, heads the factory's family services group, while their beloved daughter, Yang Ping, has grown up in such comfort that she looks down on household chores. Yang Ping's boyfriend, Chen Fang, is an intelligent and capable young worker. Yet the heavy burden of domestic work leaves him exhausted, affecting both his job and his creative pursuits. The strain also leads to frequent quarrels with Yang Ping, putting their relationship in jeopardy.

Set in the early stage after liberation of Shanghai, Chen Yi is delegated to be mayor and deals with a lot of economic and social issues.