In 1988, a foreign expert publicly tore up a sample of domestically produced paper, prompting engineer Shen Yan to vow to break through the technological barriers independently. Leading his team, he tackled the challenge in an abandoned warehouse using outdated equipment and developed internationally leading specialty paper in just six months. He then turned to semiconductor materials, breaking through the blockade on high-purity polycrystalline silicon before heading to the Gobi Desert to solve the challenges of silicon carbide crystal production and secure independent intellectual property rights. Finally, he established a research institute to nurture the next generation, paving the way for China's self-reliance in advanced materials, starting with a single sheet of paper.