Lin Sicheng, a top-tier expert in cultural relic appraisal and restoration, finds himself transported back to 2007, his senior year of university. Armed with the vast, encyclopedic knowledge of his future self and a memory that has become photographic, he navigates his youth with a newfound perspective. While his peers struggle with basic ceramic restoration, Lin Sicheng effortlessly masters the craft, turning his academic life into a playground of hidden potential.

However, his true passion lies in the world of antiques and historical artifacts. By utilizing his keen eye and deep historical understanding, he begins to 'pick up' treasures from street stalls that others dismiss as junk. From rare internal publications to legendary artifacts like the 'Death-Exemption Iron Certificate' of the late Ming Dynasty, Lin Sicheng begins a journey of uncovering lost history.

As he balances his studies with the high-stakes world of the antique trade, he finds himself rising to prominence—all while insisting he never intended to become the nation's leading expert.