Lin Mitang is a twenty-seven-year-old office worker in the capital who endures a difficult home life with her mother Li Xiuhua and stepfather Liu Jiangang. Her mother constantly pressures her to marry well, arranging a series of disastrous blind dates with men who are either older, divorced, or financially unstable but demanding. Lin Mitang’s low self-esteem stems from years of emotional and financial abuse at home, where her wages are siphoned to support her stepbrother, Liu Ye. Exhausted by the relentless harassment, she accepts an invitation to a blind date, hoping for a normal interaction.
The date turns out to be Cheng Dingyuan, a childhood friend she has not seen in eight years. Cheng Dingyuan is now a successful tech entrepreneur who returned from studying abroad. He reveals that he is also there to satisfy his parents’ demands regarding his inheritance. He proposes a contractual marriage to Lin Mitang: she would be his wife for one year to secure his family’s financial interests, in exchange for which he would provide her with an apartment in the capital and shield her from her mother’s blind date schemes. He argues that their shared childhood history makes them the perfect candidates to deceive their parents without suspicion.
Lin Mitang initially hesitates, fearing that her toxic family background would drag Cheng Dingyuan into trouble. However, after a confrontation with her mother and stepfather, who reveal their true intention to use her marriage to secure a job for Liu Ye, she leaves home. Cheng Dingyuan supports her by blocking her mother’s number and taking her to a badminton court to help her decompress. The emotional support and his genuine kindness, including a childhood promise he recalls, convince her to accept the proposal. They marry quickly, obtaining their certificate the next morning.
The couple moves in together in Cheng Dingyuan’s spacious apartment. They establish strict rules for their contractual relationship, including separate sleeping arrangements initially, though they eventually share a bed to maintain appearances. Cheng Dingyuan treats Lin Mitang with care, preparing her meals and protecting her from her family’s demands. When Lin Mitang’s mother forces them to visit home, she attempts to manipulate Cheng Dingyuan into giving Liu Ye a job. Cheng Dingyuan firmly refuses, asserting his loyalty to Lin Mitang and declaring that he will not tolerate disrespect toward his wife. This incident strengthens the bond between them, shifting the dynamic from a mere contract to a genuine partnership.
As they navigate life together, Cheng Dingyuan’s protective nature becomes evident. He ensures Lin Mitang is well-fed and cared for, contrasting sharply with her upbringing. He also handles her social anxieties, such as when she gets drunk at a bar with her friend Dong Qinyi. Cheng Dingyuan picks her up, showing affection that confuses Lin Mitang, who remains convinced the marriage is purely transactional. Despite her reservations, she begins to feel a sense of security and belonging she has never experienced before. The story follows their gradual emotional development as they pretend to be a loving couple for their families while slowly realizing their true feelings for each other.
