An archaeological study carried out before an area was to be submerged following the construction of the Three Gorges Dam leads archaeologists to uncover a crudely made artifact. They identify it as the work of Mak-zi, also known as "McFat," an ancient Chinese philosopher who invented many things that were arguably ahead of their time—for instance, a host of electronic devices created before electricity was even discovered. However, the artifact's rough craftsmanship causes it to be rejected by every museum in China and abroad. Unwilling to destroy it, those in charge place the artifact on a barge that keeps moving along the Yangtze River. The story then turns to Mak-zi's descendant, eighteen generations later: McDull (Kwok Kwan Yin), a kindergartener living in Hong Kong.
