In the summer of 1998, Han Qiming returns to his hometown after failing the college entrance examination, enduring ridicule from the villagers. He discovers a business opportunity hidden in the village's abandoned agricultural machinery and starts his own scrap metal collection business. Along the way, he faces numerous obstacles, including hostility from villagers, extortion by local strongmen, price manipulation by steel mills, and malicious reports. By establishing standardized accounts, operating legally, and forming joint ventures with shared investments, Han Qiming breaks through these barriers and builds a standardized recycling system. Breaking free from prejudice and corrupt unwritten rules, he carves out an entrepreneurial path that uses sound systems and fair practices to transform both his own destiny and the lives of his fellow villagers.