Rebirth: A Rich and Salty Fish (90’s)

Sheng Weixia spent her first life dedicated to proving herself to the wealthy Gu family, who had switched her at birth with their biological daughter, Gu Qingwei. Despite her tireless efforts to save the family business from bankruptcy, she died of cardiac arrest the night before the company's IPO, only to see her assets and recognition handed over to Gu Qingwei. Her biological parents remained indifferent, viewing her as a tool rather than a daughter. Upon rebirth, Sheng Weixia resolved to abandon her ambition for external validation. She decided to live for herself, prioritizing health and leisure over the cutthroat corporate world that had killed her.

The story begins at a high-end club where Gu Qingwei and the domineering Yu Shulan orchestrate a humiliation for Sheng Weixia. They force her to sing in broken English and attempt to scare her with a fierce trained dog named Wu Biao. However, Sheng Weixia, unbothered and sleepy, sings flawlessly and calmly identifies the dog, which unexpectedly bonds with her. Yu Shi, the ruthless young master of the powerful Yu family and Gu Qingwei's secret crush, arrives and intervenes. He reprimands his sister and ensures Sheng Weixia is driven home safely, sparking Gu Qingwei's jealousy and Yu Shi's curiosity.

Sheng Weixia's transformation confuses her adoptive parents, Gu Desheng and Jiang Xiuhou, who had previously favored Gu Qingwei. When Sheng Weixia announces she will study at a local university in China rather than abroad, her parents are suspicious but quickly pivot to offering her a house as compensation for the saved tuition. Meanwhile, Gu Qingwei schemes to maintain her position as the favored daughter and to get closer to Yu Shi by planning a trip to England. Sheng Weixia remains detached, focusing on her friendship with her childhood best friend, Zhang Xiaochun, and securing her college admission letter from Beijing Normal University.

The conflict escalates when Sheng Weixia's biological father from the rural Sheng family demands money and the return of his daughter, threatening the Gu family's reputation. Gu Desheng is forced to deal with the fallout, including moving Sheng Weixia's household registration and hosting a banquet to publicly acknowledge her return. Throughout these events, Sheng Weixia maintains a cool distance, accepting gifts and compensation without emotional investment. She visits the Yu family mansion to accept a formal apology from Yu Shulan, where she encounters Yu Shi again. Their interaction reveals a mutual respect; Yu Shi offers her advice on her university major, suggesting she broaden her horizons, while Sheng Weixia recognizes his astute business sense.

As the narrative progresses, Sheng Weixia's laid-back attitude attracts the attention of influential figures. Yu Shi, intrigued by her unique demeanor and the strange bond she shares with his dog, begins to involve her in his business circle. She discovers that her "salted fish" lifestyle of lying flat actually positions her well to benefit from China's economic boom, as various powerful men, including Yu Shi, provide her with investment opportunities and dividends. The story shifts from a family drama about recognition to a narrative of Sheng Weixia navigating high society on her own terms, leveraging her past-life knowledge and new connections to build a comfortable, successful life without the stress of her previous existence.

Gu Qingwei's envy deepens as she realizes Sheng Weixia is gaining access to Yu Shi and the elite circle she coveted. She attempts to undermine Sheng Weixia, but her schemes consistently fail against Sheng Weixia's indifference and the protective interest shown by Yu Shi. The core tension lies in Gu Qingwei's desperation to maintain her status as the golden child versus Sheng Weixia's contentment in rejecting the race entirely. Sheng Weixia's journey is one of self-liberation, where she finds value in her own well-being rather than in the approval of those who wronged her, while inadvertently becoming a central figure in the lucrative business networks of Jinzhong City.