A Difficult Marriage in Beijing

Wen Zhiyu is a twenty-one-year-old art restoration intern whose life is upended when her stepsister is exposed for cheating and pregnancy just days before a arranged marriage. Forced by her father to replace her sister as the bride for Pei Yan, the cold and powerful heir to the Pei family, Wen Zhiyu enters a union defined by obligation rather than affection. The Pei family is one of the nation's most influential dynasties, and Wen Zhiyu views her new husband as a distant, intimidating figure who barely acknowledges her existence. On their wedding night, Pei Yan immediately departs for a business trip, leaving Wen Zhiyu to navigate her new role alone. Their initial interactions are strained; Pei Yan is formal and detached, treating the marriage as a contractual duty to satisfy his grandmother's desire for an heir, while Wen Zhiyu is timid and anxious, fearing rejection and the potential loss of financial support for her ailing mother.

The dynamic shifts subtly as Pei Yan demonstrates unexpected consideration. He arranges transportation for her to work, purchases vehicles for her, and insists she undergo medical treatment for her irregular cycle, even sending his mother's herbal remedies and ensuring she consumes them daily. Despite his outward coldness, Pei Yan respects her boundaries, refusing to pressure her into intimacy and allowing her to set the pace of their physical relationship. Meanwhile, Wen Zhiyu encounters Gu Xingzhou, a wealthy old classmate and art collector, who brings a damaged ancient painting to the museum for restoration. Gu Xingzhou recognizes Wen Zhiyu's talent and professionalism, sparking a professional collaboration that also hints at a lingering personal interest from his side.

Conflict arises when Wen Zhiyu's stepfamily reveals their true nature. During a traditional family dinner, her stepmother and stepsister mock her perceived lack of marital fulfillment, boasting about their own romantic successes. The tension escalates when Wen Ting reveals that Pei Yan has a rumored first love in Haishi, suggesting his wedding day business trip was actually to care for this former partner. This revelation plants seeds of doubt in Wen Zhiyu's mind, causing her to reject Pei Yan's affectionate advances and withdraw emotionally. She mistakenly believes she is merely a placeholder in a marriage where his heart belongs to another.

Pei Yan, unaware of the source of her distance, interprets her behavior as hormonal moodiness during her cycle. He seeks advice from his assistant, who suggests that consistent communication and small gestures of care will help bridge the gap. Pei Yan begins sending daily messages and practical reminders, slowly breaking through Wen Zhiyu's defenses. A pivotal moment occurs when Wen Zhiyu accidentally deletes Pei Yan from her WeChat contacts, mistaking his friendly greeting for spam. Upon discovering the error, she is mortified, but Pei Yan responds with calm understanding rather than anger, further confusing her assumptions about his indifference.

The narrative explores the contrast between Wen Zhiyu's hostile birth family and the respectful, albeit quiet, care she receives from Pei Yan and his family. His mother, a renowned gynecologist, personally treats Wen Zhiyu's health issues, and his grandmother expresses genuine affection and protection toward her. As the restoration of Gu Xingzhou's painting progresses, Wen Zhiyu's professional competence earns her respect, while Pei Yan's consistent, albeit understated, devotion begins to challenge her initial fears. The story sets the stage for Wen Zhiyu to navigate her complicated feelings, distinguishing between Pei Yan's reserved nature and genuine care, while dealing with the external pressures of her family's schemes and the lingering rumors about his past.