Shuyu, a socially anxious freelance illustrator from her original world, transmigrates into a sweet campus romance novel just two hours after her death from overwork. She inhabits the body of Shuyu, the male lead Si Yiheng's gold-digging ex-girlfriend, who is destined to be cast aside and meet a tragic end. A system named Tie Dan assigns her a mission: swindle Si Yiheng out of one hundred million yuan and sleep with him. In return, she will receive ten billion yuan, a private villa, and luxury goods. Although she initially considers refusing, she realizes the original character already owes Si Yiheng one and a half million, making prison a likely outcome if she flees. Accepting her fate, Shuyu begins her mission with limited funds and a daunting task.
Si Yiheng is a cold, aloof genius and heir to a wealthy family, raised to value interests over emotions. He agreed to the online relationship through his friend Shen Qinghan, seeking a plain, unassuming girlfriend who would not stir his feelings. However, the new Shuyu is strikingly beautiful and possesses a unique, innocent boldness that contrasts sharply with the original character's scheming nature. Their interactions begin awkwardly, with Shuyu sending direct messages asking for money, which Si Yiheng fulfills with casual transfers, viewing the relationship as a transactional arrangement. As Shuyu navigates her new life, she moves out of her hostile dormitory, where she faces bullying from roommates, and into a luxury apartment funded by Si Yiheng. She also begins working as an online illustrator under the pseudonym Bait, aiming to earn her own income while completing her mission.
The core conflict arises from the growing discrepancy between Shuyu's true appearance and Si Yiheng's expectation of a plain girlfriend. Shen Qinghan, who introduced them, spreads rumors that Shuyu is ugly and a fraud, attempting to undermine the relationship so he can pursue Si Yiheng for the campus beauty, Xie Mengying. Meanwhile, Shuyu's biological family, who abused the original character financially and emotionally, resurfaces. Her mother tracks her down to the university, leading to a confrontation where Si Yiheng learns about Shuyu's traumatic background. Despite the complications, Si Yiheng finds himself increasingly intrigued by Shuyu's vulnerability and independence. He begins to suspect that the rumors about her appearance are false, especially after recognizing her from a chance encounter at a supermarket. The story follows Shuyu's efforts to maintain her cover while navigating the dangers of meeting Si Yiheng in person, as a face-to-face meeting could expose her beauty and jeopardize the mission. The narrative explores the evolving dynamic between the two, as Si Yiheng's detached attitude slowly gives way to genuine curiosity and protectiveness, while Shuyu struggles with her social anxiety and the moral complexities of her deceptive role.
