Dumped by the male lead in the historical drama? She turns around and hooks up with his superior’s uncle

Song Chutong, a nineteen-year-old member of a prominent military family, awakens with a vivid memory of a past life in which she was the villainous supporting character in a novel. In that previous existence, she spent sixteen years pining for Jiang Zhixing, a regiment commander, only to be publicly humiliated and abandoned by him in favor of her step-sister, Song Weiran. After being framed and imprisoned, Song Chutong died in jail, leaving her grieving grandfather to cut ties with the Jiang family. Upon waking, she realizes she has returned to the moment Jiang Zhixing publicly breaks off their childhood engagement in front of the performing arts troupe. Instead of crumbling as she did in her previous life, Song Chutong embraces her role as the villainess with cold calculation. She publicly declares that she never liked Jiang Zhixing and claims her interest in him was merely a ruse to get closer to his superior, the brilliant and feared Jiang Sheng. This bold reversal shocks everyone, including Jiang Zhixing, who is left stunned by her indifference and newfound arrogance.

The core conflict arises from Song Chutong’s determination to rewrite her fate and expose the truth about her family. She discovers that Song Weiran is not her step-sister but her father’s biological daughter, born from an affair with Bai Qingcui, who later married into the family. For years, Bai Qingcui has manipulated Song Chutong’s father, Song Weiqiang, into favoring Weiran while maintaining a facade of kindness. Song Chutong decides to stop seeking validation from her father and instead relies on the unwavering support of her maternal grandfather and uncles. She begins to systematically dismantle the advantages Song Weiran and Jiang Zhixing have built upon her generosity. When Song Weiran attempts to manipulate the dance troupe’s performance opportunities, Song Chutong counters by introducing a combined singing and dancing act, ensuring Weiran loses her spotlight. She also evicts her exploitative roommates from their shared dormitory, asserting her authority without apology.

A key turning point occurs when Song Chutong’s uncle, Wei Ying, learns of the rumors surrounding her alleged interest in Jiang Sheng. Rather than being offended, Wei Ying sees an opportunity to protect his niece and secure her happiness. He contacts Jiang Sheng, demanding crabs from the upcoming Jiang family banquet and a rare Japanese camera for Song Chutong. Jiang Sheng, initially indifferent to the family drama, finds himself drawn into the situation through his connection with Wei Ying. Meanwhile, Song Chutong’s interactions with Jiang Zhixing shift dramatically; she no longer seeks his approval or fears his anger. When Jiang Zhixing attempts to reassert control by reminding her of her past devotion, she coldly dismisses him, revealing that she gave him gifts only to curry favor with his uncle. This emotional detachment confuses Jiang Zhixing, who begins to question his assumptions about her feelings and his own significance in her life.

The story direction moves toward Song Chutong’s consolidation of power within her family and social circle. She leverages her grandfather’s influence to secure better opportunities for herself while subtly undermining Song Weiran’s standing. Her cousins, Wei Heng and Wei Zhi, intervene to defend her against bullying in the dance troupe, further isolating Song Weiran. As Song Chutong navigates her new reality, she maintains a facade of spoiled arrogance while secretly gathering evidence of her father’s infidelity. The narrative sets the stage for a gradual unraveling of Song Weiran and Jiang Zhixing’s relationship, as Song Chutong uses her knowledge of future events to outmaneuver them. Her ultimate goal is not merely revenge but the preservation of her dignity and the protection of her true family, the Wei clan, from the encroaching deceit of her father’s new household.