Qin Tianmin is the deputy director of Tianhe Pharmaceutical Factory and Xia Yuying's biological father. Years ago, he had an affair with Li Hongmei, who became pregnant. He warned her he would never acknowledge the child, and his wife subsequently beat Li Hongmei, driving her away. Qin Tianmin has since had four children with his wife, all born in the city, and considers them far more deserving of his love. When Xia Yuying appears at his office, he feels instinctive disgust but sees a strategic opportunity. His wife refuses to let their daughter marry a divorced older man, so Qin Tianmin plans to use Xia Yuying as a pawn to form a marital connection with someone in the Group Army. He gives her 100 yuan and promises further support, exploiting her greed for his own political advancement while hiding his true intentions behind a warm facade.
