Beloved Ying

Ji Ying is the youngest daughter of the wealthy Ji family in Beijing. Born with a fragile constitution, she has been pampered and protected by her parents and two older brothers, Ji Chen and Ji Huai, since childhood. Despite her delicate health and the family's desire for her to live a sheltered life, Ji Ying manages a traditional teahouse called Yulinling on her own initiative. Her life is quiet until a chance encounter at the teahouse disrupts her routine. Fu Jingshen, the cold and aloof heir to the powerful Fu family, visits the teahouse with his friend Yan Hang. Yan Hang is obsessed with the mysterious and beautiful proprietress, but it is Fu Jingshen who experiences a moment of disorientation when their eyes meet. He accidentally spills hot tea on himself, an unusual lapse in composure for the disciplined young man. When they cross paths on the stairs, Ji Ying hands him a handkerchief, revealing a childhood connection that neither immediately acknowledges fully.

The two families have a long-standing history, and Ji Ying and Fu Jingshen were betrothed in childhood by their grandfathers. However, they have barely interacted over the years. Fu Jingshen’s relationship with the Ji family is complicated by a business rivalry with Ji Chen, the eldest brother, who previously outmaneuvered Fu Jingshen in a land deal. Ji Chen is fiercely protective of Ji Ying and views Fu Jingshen with suspicion. The tension escalates when Fu Jingshen’s grandfather, Old Master Fu, insists that the engagement be honored now that Ji Ying has turned twenty. He pressures Fu Jingshen to marry her, viewing the union as a way to settle old scores and strengthen family ties. Fu Jingshen, initially indifferent, finds himself increasingly intrigued by Ji Ying after their encounter.

Ji Ying’s twentieth birthday becomes a focal point for the unfolding drama. Her second brother, Ji Huai, a famous but rebellious actor, throws her a surprise party, showcasing his close bond with her. During the celebration, Ji Ying encounters Fu Jingshen on the street. The interaction is tense, with Ji Huai defensively positioning himself between Fu Jingshen and his sister. Ji Chen arrives shortly after, further heightening the conflict. He warns Fu Jingshen to stay away from his sister, citing their past business disputes. Despite this, Fu Jingshen makes a grand gesture by lighting up the Fu Corporation headquarters with Ji Ying’s birthday wishes, a move that draws public attention and signals his intent to pursue her.

The family dynamics are further explored during a birthday banquet hosted by Ji Ying’s grandfather. The event brings both families together, highlighting the underlying tensions. Ji Chen’s protective nature is evident as he watches Fu Jingshen closely. Fu Jingshen, meanwhile, remains calm and composed, engaging with Ji Ying in subtle ways that suggest a growing interest. The banquet also reveals the deep care the Ji family has for Ji Ying, with her mother constantly worrying about her health and her brothers eager to shield her from any harm. Ji Ying, however, feels constrained by their overprotectiveness and begins to question her future.

As the story progresses, the engagement between Ji Ying and Fu Jingshen moves from a distant arrangement to a pressing reality. Fu Jingshen’s grandfather continues to push for the marriage, while Ji Ying’s family remains divided on the matter. Ji Chen’s opposition is rooted in his desire to protect Ji Ying, while her parents are more cautious, weighing the benefits and risks of the alliance. Ji Ying herself is caught between her familial duties and her own desires. She is drawn to Fu Jingshen’s enigmatic presence but is also aware of the complications their union would bring. The narrative sets the stage for a complex romantic and familial drama, with the central conflict revolving around the balance between personal freedom and familial obligation.