In 1966 Shanghai, Xu Xiangsi, a modern independent woman, transmigrates into the body of a vindictive stepsister in a historical romance novel. The original character was destined to serve as cannon fodder for the novel's heroine, Xu Jingjing, by providing warmth, opportunities, and startup capital before meeting a tragic end. Upon realizing her situation, Xu Xiangsi immediately uses her blood to activate a spatial ability hidden within a jade pendant, a power originally belonging to the female protagonist. This discovery allows her to secure a private storage space, fundamentally altering her fate and giving her the means to survive and thrive in the politically turbulent era.
Desperate to avoid the original plot where she is sent down to the countryside or dies on a ship to Hong Kong, Xu Xiangsi seeks a pragmatic solution. She arranges a blind date with Long Peiye, a soldier she believes is from a modest background and in urgent need of money. Her goal is a nominal marriage that will allow her to transfer her household registration and escape her sensitive family background as the granddaughter of a former capitalist. However, Long Peiye is not the man she was led to believe. He is actually the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, stationed on Yun Kong Island. Despite the deception, he recognizes Xu Xiangsi as the girl who saved his life years ago when he fell into a river. Motivated by a desire to repay her and to silence his own family's pressure to marry, he agrees to the sham marriage on the condition that she accompanies him to the military island.
Before leaving, Xu Xiangsi confronts her treacherous family. Her father, Xu Rongchang, and stepmother, Lin Jiaoyan, have already severed ties with her to protect their own chances of fleeing to Hong Kong. They plan for Xu Jingjing to take Xu Xiangsi's place as the fiancée of Song Shengze, a Hong Kong tycoon. Xu Xiangsi outmaneuvers them by demanding ten thousand yuan and all household ration coupons as compensation for giving up her engagement. She also secretly registers Xu Jingjing for the educated youth rural service program, ensuring the fake heroine is sent to the countryside instead of living in luxury. Using her spatial ability, she strips the Xu family home of all valuable heirlooms, jewelry, and cash, leaving her new step-sister with nothing but a one-way ticket to rural labor.
During the sea voyage to the island, Xu Xiangsi and Long Peiye navigate the challenges of their new arrangement. Xu Xiangsi reveals her lavish lifestyle, pulling high-quality food and clothing from her small suitcase, which baffles Long Peiye. Their dynamic shifts from purely transactional to a complex partnership as they encounter hostile passengers on the ship. When a beggar woman and her grandson attempt to steal from them, Xu Xiangsi displays a ruthless side, brandishing a fruit knife to defend herself and Long Peiye. This incident reveals to Long Peiye that his wife is far more capable and dangerous than her appearance suggests.
Upon arriving at Yun Kong Island, Xu Xiangsi discovers the true extent of Long Peiye's status when a soldier salutes him as Battalion Commander. Although initially angry at being deceived about his financial situation, she quickly adapts, realizing that marrying a high-ranking officer provides greater security than she originally planned. The couple moves into a military family compound, where Long Peiye takes on household chores as per their agreement, while Xu Xiangsi begins to settle into her new life. The story sets the stage for Xu Xiangsi to navigate the complexities of military life, manage her spatial resources, and confront the lingering threats from her past, all while maintaining a marriage that is slowly evolving beyond its initial fake premises.
