Shanghai Train Station

The Shanghai train station is the opening setting for the short story. The narrative opens with Zhao and his father waiting on the station platform. It is summer, and Zhao is sweating through the designer shirt his father gave him the night before. Though they both know they may never see each other again, Zhao and his father are careful not to cry. Zhao's father than gives him one last piece of valuable advice.

X Town

Because the government has deemed Zhao's social status unacceptable, he is made to leave Shanghai for the rural town of X, where peasants will reform him. When he first arrives in X, Zhao is disoriented and afraid. Over the course of his first hours and days in the village, Zhao begins to realize how different this culture is than his own. He quickly learns to alter his behavior and demeanor...