Xu Zhihuan lives a tragic life defined by her devotion to Yuan Qing'an, a man who marries her only for her family's wealth while secretly loving his cousin, Li Rou. For twenty years, Xu Zhihuan manages the Yuan household and supports his family financially, enduring a loveless marriage and pressure to produce an heir. The turning point arrives at the cremation of Li Rou's first husband, where Xu Zhihuan overhears Yuan Qing'an confessing that he never consummated their marriage because he only married her because her face resembles Li Rou's. He also reveals that he orchestrated the kidnapping of Xu Zhihuan's brother ten years prior, which led to the collapse of the Xu family's business and the suicide of her father. Heartbroken and betrayed, Xu Zhihuan confronts the couple but is shot by Li Rou's illegitimate son before she can exact revenge. As she dies, she regrets her blindness to Yuan Qing'an's true nature.
Xu Zhihuan awakens in her body twenty years in the past, moments after she had discovered the family heirloom jade Buddha pendant around Li Rou's neck. In her previous life, this discovery triggered a jealous confrontation that damaged her engagement. Now, armed with memories of the future, she realizes this is a second chance to correct her mistakes. When Yuan Qing'an threatens to cancel the engagement out of frustration, Xu Zhihuan calmly agrees, shocking everyone present. She demands the return of her dowry, which includes substantial furniture and goods her family had sent to the Yuan household. Yuan Qing'an, confident that she will eventually beg to reconcile, agrees to the breakup, unaware that Xu Zhihuan is acting with deliberate resolve.
Zhou Yichuan, a high-ranking brigade commander and the best friend of Xu Zhihuan's brother, intervenes to ensure the dowry is returned promptly. Xu Zhihuan has always feared Zhou Yichuan due to his cold and imposing demeanor, but in this timeline, his assistance proves crucial. He helps withdraw the marriage application and escorts Xu Zhihuan's parents, demonstrating a protective interest that confuses her. Meanwhile, the Yuan family faces immediate financial ruin. Without Xu Zhihuan's dowry and income, they cannot afford Yuan Heping's medical treatments or basic living expenses. Zhu Guiyun, Yuan Qing'an's mother, reveals that they have already spent the dowry money and borrowed heavily, leaving them with no resources.
Yuan Qing'an attempts to reconcile with Xu Zhihuan, believing her actions are merely a tantrum. He visits her home but is rebuffed when she firmly states she will never take him back. He offers the jade Buddha as a peace offering, but Xu Zhihuan dismisses it, revealing that her personal jewelry far exceeds its value. Her indifference devastates Yuan Qing'an, who is unaccustomed to being rejected. Simultaneously, Li Rou tries to maintain her relationship with Yuan Qing'an, but he is now too preoccupied with his family's collapse. The Yuan family is eventually forced to leave the military compound due to complaints about Yuan Heping's coughing, further diminishing their status.
Xu Zhihuan decides to take control of her life and her family's business. She proposes to her father and brother that the clothing factory should design and sell its own branded clothes rather than relying on low-profit manufacturing orders. This marks the beginning of her journey toward independence and financial empowerment. As she rebuilds her family's fortune, Zhou Yichuan's presence becomes more frequent, suggesting a potential shift in her romantic prospects. The narrative sets the stage for Xu Zhihuan to thrive while Yuan Qing'an and Li Rou face the consequences of their greed and betrayal.
