Gu Jia Ning is reborn after a devastating past life, her soul bound to the Childbirth System that returned her to the moment she jumps into an icy river in 1973 to force her older brother to give his job to Wen Zhuqing, the intellectual youth she loved. In her previous existence, she married Wen Zhuqing, became infertile from the cold water, and was used by him for gain, leading to her family’s ruin. Her brother’s business failed, his marriage soured, her second brother went to prison, his wife died in childbirth, her third brother lost his university spot, her parents died tragically searching for her, and Wen Zhuqing orchestrated her death in a fire to marry a wealthy woman. After death, Gu Jia Ning’s spirit followed Sheng Ze Xi, a military officer who had proposed through a matchmaker on that day but was rejected. He rushed to save her from the fire, suffering severe burns that disfigured him, remained unmarried, avenged her by destroying Wen Zhuqing, and requested burial with her upon his death. Rebirthed, Gu Jia Ning is resolved to change her fate. She wakes to her family’s loving care, including her mother Yao Chunhua, father Gu Liandang, brothers Gu Yunting, Gu Yunnan, and Gu Yunzhou, and sister-in-law Yang Manman, who all tend to her without blame. Overcome with remorse, she apologizes for past selfishness. The matchmaker Aunt Wu, sent by Sheng Ze Xi, arrives but initially hesitates due to village rumors of Gu Jia Ning’s obsession with Wen Zhuqing. Gu Jia Ning immediately agrees to the blind date, shocking everyone. Suffering from menstrual cramps worsened by the river water, she is in severe pain. Sheng Ze Xi, having learned of her accident, visits her room through the window with a painkiller and sweet wine poached eggs, remembering her cycle from his past stay at her home for injury recovery. He scolds her for her reckless act for Wen Zhuqing but reveals his long-standing affection, recalling how she taught him to fold paper cranes for his mother’s memorial and had her mother make him birthday noodles. Gu Jia Ning, moved by his thoughtfulness and recalling his sacrifice in her past life, tells him she no longer loves Wen Zhuqing and is willing to try with him. Sheng Ze Xi is overjoyed, supports her recovery, and plans for their formal blind date.
In parallel, Wen Zhuqing is beaten twice that day, first by Gu Yunzhou and later by Sheng Ze Xi, leaving his face swollen and bruised. Among the intellectual youths, he is seen as a victim, with females like Zhao Weihong and Li Juan defending him and blaming Gu Jia Ning. Gu Jia Ning’s family supports her decision, with her brother offering his job but her refusing to avoid past conflicts, and they focus on her health and new relationship. Sheng Ze Xi, despite jealousy over Wen Zhuqing, is determined to win her love and marry her quickly, seeing this as his chance. Gu Jia Ning uses her foresight to actively protect her family from the fates she saw in her past life, embracing a path with Sheng Ze Xi built on genuine care and respect, contrasting with the manipulation of Wen Zhuqing. The story establishes her transformation from a manipulated girl to a woman aware of her worth, ready to build a future with Sheng Ze Xi while steering her family away from tragedy.
