After Becoming the Movie King's Illegitimate Daughter

Zhong Yao is a fourteen-year-old girl living in the remote Yunshui Town with her mother after being abandoned by her father since birth. Her mother dies of illness, leaving Zhong Yao an orphan. On the day of her mother's funeral, Zhong Yao returns to school wearing mourning clothes, only to be accused by her classmate Tan Xiao of stealing the class Teacher's Day fund of 520 yuan. The accusation escalates into a physical fight between the two girls, during which money is found scattered in Zhong Yao's backpack, seemingly confirming the theft.

A woman named She Rui arrives at the school claiming to represent Zhong Yao's father, demanding to take the girl to Beijing. Tan Xiao attempts to involve the woman in the theft accusation, but She Rui systematically investigates the matter. She discovers that the money found in Zhong Yao's bag is from an outdated series of Chinese currency no longer in circulation. Zhong Yao produces a letter from her dying mother explaining that the 520 yuan was a cherished keepsake from her father's first salary, placed in the bag by her mother as a protective charm, not stolen class funds. The accusation is proven false, and the class is forced to apologize.

Zhong Yao travels to Beijing with She Rui and discovers that her long-absent father is Jin Chuan, a famous celebrity and Sun Shiwu's idol. Zhong Yao resents him for abandoning her and her mother for fourteen years. Upon arriving at his villa, she finds Jin Chuan cold and distant, leaving her alone for extended periods. She overhears Jin Chuan and She Rui discussing sending her to boarding school to avoid media scrutiny, which deepens her conviction that he does not want her. That night, she attempts to run away back to Yunshui Town but encounters Qi Yu, a white-haired boy who rides a motorcycle and is pursued by paparazzi. He rescues her from the paparazzi but acts arrogantly, leading to a tense confrontation.

Zhong Yao enrolls in Peach & Plum Middle School in Beijing, where she becomes the center of attention due to her striking beauty and the earlier incident with Qi Yu. She is assigned a deskmate, He Lingli, who is friendly and talkative. During a basketball game, Qi Yu deliberately throws a ball at Zhong Yao, and when she drops it in response, he publicly insults her, claiming "people like you deserve to get hit." The incident sparks rumors on the school forum, painting Zhong Yao as a delusional fan stalking Qi Yu. Despite the malicious gossip, Zhong Yao maintains her composure, determined to endure the hostility and focus on her studies until she turns eighteen.

Jin Chuan attempts to connect with Zhong Yao by preparing a pink-themed bedroom for her and transferring money to her account, but Zhong Yao rejects his gestures, viewing them as inadequate compensation for fourteen years of abandonment. She struggles with loneliness and guilt over alienating her only friend Sun Shiwu, who is furious that Zhong Yao left without saying goodbye. The story establishes a complex dynamic where Zhong Yao must navigate a hostile school environment, a distant celebrity father, and a contentious relationship with Qi Yu, while holding onto her independence and her promise to her dying mother.