Into the ’80s: Married a Big Shot and Faced Endless Temptation

Xia Ruanruan, a three-time award-winning actress from the modern era, transmigrates into the body of a woman with the same name after a fatal stunt accident. The original owner was a pampered, arrogant country girl who used underhanded tactics to marry Huo Beiqing, a handsome but cold-hearted senior doctor and the older brother of the novel's male lead. The marriage was forced after the original Xia Ruanruan climbed into Huo Beiqing’s bed while he was unconscious from sleeping pills, leading to a scandal that compelled the Huo family to agree to the union. Upon waking in the hospital, Xia Ruanruan finds herself in the middle of a physical altercation with Jiang Ruoman, a female intern whom the original owner had attacked out of jealousy. Unlike her predecessor, the transmigrated Xia Ruanruan has no intention of clinging to a man who does not love her. Her primary goal is to secure a divorce and return to her career in the entertainment industry.

At the hospital, the atmosphere is hostile toward Xia Ruanruan, with staff and interns siding with Jiang Ruoman. However, Huo Beiqing unexpectedly defends his wife, publicly reprimanding the nurse Sun Zhenzhen for her role in the fight and demanding that Jiang Ruoman apologize. He insists that Xia Ruanruan receive medical treatment for her forehead injury, displaying a protective streak that confuses those around him. Back at the Huo residence, Xia Ruanruan faces hostility from her sister-in-law, Huo Yuanyuan, who mocks her background and behavior. Xia Ruanruan refuses to endure the abuse silently, confronting Huo Yuanyuan and manipulating the situation to gain the sympathy of her mother-in-law, Lin Wei. She feigns remorse and announces her intention to divorce Huo Beiqing, a move that secretly pleases her as it lowers others' guard while advancing her ultimate goal.

Xia Ruanruan begins to change her lifestyle, shedding the lazy and entitled habits of the original owner. She helps with household chores, treats the family staff with kindness, and invests her limited funds in new clothing and educational plans. She intends to attend university and start a dance or piano school, aiming for financial independence. Her transformation surprises the Huo family, particularly Lin Wei, who begins to view her more favorably. Meanwhile, Huo Beiqing grows increasingly curious about his wife’s sudden change in demeanor. He observes her adaptability and strategic thinking, noting that she is not the simple-minded woman he believed her to be. Despite his initial reluctance to accept the marriage, he begins to take a more active interest in her well-being, even giving her money for transportation and ensuring her injuries are treated properly.

The conflict with Jiang Ruoman escalates when the intern attempts to coerce Xia Ruanruan into lobbying Huo Beiqing to reinstate her position. Xia Ruanruan outsmarts the situation by turning the tables, making Jiang Ruoman appear unreasonable and manipulative in front of the hospital staff. This incident further solidifies Huo Beiqing’s support for his wife and deepens his suspicion that Xia Ruanruan is hiding her true nature. As Xia Ruanruan continues to navigate her new life, she balances her desire for a quick divorce with the growing complexity of her relationships within the Huo family. Huo Beiqing, once distant and cold, starts to engage with her more frequently, creating tension between her original plan to leave and the unexpected emotional shifts occurring around her.

The story follows Xia Ruanruan’s efforts to rebuild her life in a different era while dealing with the remnants of the original owner’s bad reputation. She faces challenges from jealous rivals and skeptical family members but uses her acting skills and intelligence to manage social dynamics. Her interactions with Huo Beiqing evolve from cold avoidance to cautious cooperation, and eventually to a deeper, unspoken understanding. As she works toward her independence, the line between her strategic divorce plans and genuine emotional connections becomes blurred, setting the stage for a complex romantic development that neither she nor Huo Beiqing anticipated.