Bowing for Her: The Obsessive CEO’s Crazy Pursuit of the Worldly Woman

Li Jiao, the esteemed Daughter of the Duke of Zhao from the Great Zhou Dynasty, finds her consciousness transferred into the body of a modern woman bearing the same name. The original host is the neglected eldest daughter of the Li family, forced into an arranged marriage with Song Li Sheng, the illegitimate son of the powerful Song family, just days before the wedding. Upon waking in a hospital bed with a concussion, Li Jiao initially believes she is still trapped in a nightmare but quickly realizes she has possessed this stranger. Her immediate priority is to escape back to her own time, a goal she believes can be achieved by getting drunk enough to reverse the soul exchange. However, she discovers that the original host has an extremely low tolerance for alcohol, making this plan difficult to execute.

The modern world presents a stark contrast to Li Jiao's ancient homeland, particularly regarding gender dynamics. In this society, men hold the dominant social and familial positions, a reality that deeply offends Li Jiao’s sensibilities. She witnesses the original host’s mistreatment firsthand: her father, Li Yichen, favors his illegitimate son Li Yu and his younger daughter, while forcing Li Jiao into a marriage she despises to secure a business alliance. Li Jiao refuses to accept this subordinate role. She confronts her father, displaying a sharpness and authority that shocks him, and successfully negotiates for control of Gardenia Star, an entertainment company owned by the Li conglomerate. This acquisition provides her with both a platform to rebuild her status and a means to exert power over her family.

Song Li Sheng, her new husband, is initially viewed with suspicion. He is a cold, calculating man who has risen to power despite his illegitimate status, and he views the marriage as a mere formality. He prepares a prenuptial agreement intending to divorce Li Jiao amicably once the alliance has served its purpose. However, Li Jiao’s behavior shifts dramatically after the wedding. No longer the weeping, resistant girl he expected, she treats him with a mix of curiosity and affection. She misunderstands his melancholic nature for fragility, viewing him as a pitiable figure who needs care. This confusion leads her to sign his agreement, believing it is a gesture of comfort, while Song Li Sheng interprets her cooperation as a strategic move.

As they navigate their married life, the dynamic between them begins to change. Song Li Sheng, who has always kept others at arm's length, finds himself increasingly affected by Li Jiao’s directness and warmth. He observes her every move, driven by a need to understand her sudden transformation. When Li Jiao struggles to manage Gardenia Star alone, Song Li Sheng offers his assistance, sending trusted staff to help her. Li Jiao accepts his help gratefully, referring to him as family, a term that unsettles Song Li Sheng but also intrigues him. He begins to question his initial plan to divorce her, feeling a possessive urge to keep her close despite his belief that emotions are a weakness.

Li Jiao, meanwhile, focuses on reclaiming her dignity and power. She adopts a low profile at work, hiding her identity as the new president behind sunglasses to avoid immediate backlash from her father’s loyalists. She plans to dismantle the corrupt elements within the company and assert her authority. Her interactions with Song Li Sheng become more intimate; she feeds him, touches his face, and expresses genuine concern for his well-being. These actions confuse Song Li Sheng, who is unaccustomed to such affection. He begins to suspect that her change in attitude might be genuine, or at least, that she is playing a long game. The story follows their evolving relationship as Li Jiao adapts to modern life and Song Li Sheng grapples with feelings he never intended to develop, setting the stage for a complex power struggle within both their families and the entertainment industry.