Marry a rough man in the 1980s

Mu Xiaoqi, a woman who lived a regretful life ending in despair, awakens to find herself reborn on the day of her arranged blind date with Zhao Xilie. In her previous existence, she had been manipulated by her stepmother, Jiang Xueqin, and stepsister, Mu Sisi, leading her to alienate her loving maternal family and abuse her husband, Zhao Xilie, who remained devoted to her even until her death. Determined to rewrite her fate, Mu Xiaoqi confronts her abusive father, Mu Yuehui, and the scheming Jiang Xueqin, openly declaring her allegiance to her deceased biological mother and rejecting the false family dynamics imposed upon her.

At the restaurant, Mu Xiaoqi meets the young Zhao Xilie, a man of few words but profound integrity, whom she had wronged in her past life. Unlike her previous coldness, she treats him with warmth and respect, causing confusion for both Zhao Xilie and Jiang Xueqin, who had orchestrated the match to separate Mu Xiaoqi from her supportive Xu family. After the date, Mu Xiaoqi returns home to face further hostility from her father, who slaps her in a fit of rage after she refuses to apologize to Mu Sisi for reclaiming her mother’s jewelry. This final act of violence severs her ties with the Mu household, and she packs her belongings, leaving to live with her grandmother and three protective maternal uncles.

Reunited with the Xu family, Mu Xiaoqi finds the unconditional love and support she was denied for years. Her uncles, furious at the abuse she suffered, confront Mu Yuehui and Jiang Xueqin, demanding she return to her rightful place within the Xu lineage. Meanwhile, Mu Xiaoqi and Zhao Xilie begin a genuine courtship. Their relationship deepens as they spend time together, with Mu Xiaoqi learning to appreciate his quiet strength and dedication. She visits his rural home, where she defends his younger sister, Zhao Baixue, from local bullies, solidifying her bond with the siblings and demonstrating her commitment to his family.

The couple’s happiness is threatened when Mu Sisi and her lover, Jiang Lin’an, appear at a movie theater. Jiang Lin’an, a man Mu Xiaoqi had naively trusted in her past life, looks down on Zhao Xilie’s humble background. Mu Xiaoqi publicly dismisses them, rejecting their attempts to undermine her new life. Despite the interference, Zhao Xilie remains steadfast in his support, promising to protect her and respect her ambitions, including her dream to become a lingerie designer. The story concludes with Mu Xiaoqi embracing her second chance, surrounded by loving family and a partner who values her authenticity, as she looks forward to a future free from the manipulation and regret of her past.