In late autumn 1975, Gu Qiuyue, a woman from the twenty-second century, awakens after drowning in a river, having transmigrated into the body of a lovesick cannon fodder from a novel she once read. The original Gu Qiuyue was a devoted sent-down youth who sacrificed her city return quota to Chen Xiangsong, a man she loved, only to be betrayed by him and his accomplice, Bai Xiaolian. Now inhabiting this new life, Gu Qiuyue finds her parents in dire health and her brother missing in action. She visits Old Master Tang, a family friend, who offers to help her settle in the capital, but she is haunted by the knowledge of the tragic fate that awaits her in the original story: the death of Old Master Tang due to her association with him, and her own eventual suicide.
While in the capital, Gu Qiuyue discovers that Chen Xiangsong and Bai Xiaolian are not only living comfortably but are also hoarding stolen treasures, including items belonging to her grandfather, hidden in a secret chamber beneath a dry well. During a confrontation, she accidentally activates a mysterious spatial ability, allowing her to store objects in a personal dimension that resembles her former apartment. This discovery gives her the means to secure her future and exact revenge. She also encounters Xie Shiyu, a military captain who is unaware of his connection to her missing brother, Gu Qiuhan.
Realizing that Old Master Tang’s recommendation letter for her could lead to his downfall due to the political climate, Gu Qiuyue destroys the letter to save him, angering the old man. To avoid being sent back to the countryside and the fate of marrying a scoundrel, she impulsively proposes marriage to Xie Shiyu. Despite his initial reluctance and suspicion of her motives, he agrees, and they are quickly married. Gu Qiuyue then confronts Chen Xiangsong and Bai Xiaolian, exposing their theft and forcing them to sign an IOU for 1,100 yuan, a staggering sum in that era. When they attempt to rob her, she defends herself using her spatial abilities and physical combat skills, further cementing her resolve to change her destiny.
Gu Qiuyue moves to Xie Shiyu’s military base in Wucheng, where she discovers he is suffering from severe, hidden injuries sustained in battle. Despite the cold and distant nature of their arrangement, she begins to care for him, challenging the rumors and gossip of their neighbors. As she settles into her new life, she plans to use her spatial abilities and knowledge of the future to build a better existence, while navigating the complexities of her marriage to Xie Shiyu and the lingering threats from Chen Xiangsong and Bai Xiaolian. The story follows her journey from a victim of betrayal to a woman taking control of her fate, all while uncovering the truths behind her brother’s disappearance and the hidden dangers surrounding her new husband.
