The tile cat is a divine beast protecting craftsmen with the ability to look into the past and see into the future. The author uses this cat as a symbol of the professionalism craftsmanship aspires to, as what they’ve committed their lives to crafting being a brilliant declaration of the past. This is a novel involving craftsman, their dedication, and their pursuits. While their moral disposition lines up with the mores of the given era, their skills will be passed on to later generations. This book introduces three types of craftsmen: the ancient book restorer, barbers, and potters, with their stories  taking place in three cities: Nanjing, Hong Kong, and Kunming, spanning from the War of Resistance Against Japan until the present. They are the idealists of their own epoch, and their persistence and aspiration for perfection inspires the readers of a modern era.