Sorry, Boy, I Already Have My Man

He Qi is a twenty-five-year-old marketing professional who has spent seven years in a stable, albeit unfulfilling, relationship with her boyfriend, Chen Jin. Despite their outwardly perfect life, marked by a shared apartment and mutual career support, He Qi feels an increasing sense of emptiness. Her breaking point arrives when she impulsively resigns from her job without informing Chen Jin, seeking a break from the monotony of corporate life and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Her best friend, the wealthy and impulsive Li Jiajia, celebrates the resignation with an exaggerated public display, driving a pink BMW wrapped in ribbons to pick He Qi up from work.

Upon returning home, He Qi reveals her resignation to Chen Jin, who reacts with cold detachment rather than anger. His response is pragmatic and distant, suggesting she rest if she is tired, before leaving for the office due to a work emergency. This emotional disconnect highlights the growing rift in their relationship. Seeking distraction, He Qi goes out drinking with Li Jiajia, where she encounters Fang Yi, the cousin of Li Jiajia’s friend. Fang Yi, who has harbored a quiet interest in He Qi, helps them with the intoxicated Li Jiajia and exchanges contact information with He Qi, marking the beginning of a new connection outside her long-term relationship.

During her time off, He Qi decides to pursue her dormant passion for writing. Li Jiajia connects her with her aunt, Li Xiulan, a strict editor at a publishing house. He Qi submits a children’s story within twenty-four hours, only to receive a harsh rejection from Li Xiulan, who criticizes the work as unprofessional and tells He Qi not to submit again. The rejection devastates He Qi, who had hoped for validation, but she finds solace in a chance encounter with Fang Yi at a café. He Qi confesses her disappointment, and Fang Yi offers genuine comfort, sharing his own experiences with his formidable aunt. Their conversation lifts her spirits and deepens their bond.

He Qi returns to her hometown, Ningshi, for the National Day holiday with Li Jiajia. The visit is fraught with tension as her mother, Xu Yan, relentlessly pressures her to marry Chen Jin, while her father, He Yunping, criticizes Chen Jin’s absence and He Qi’s choices. The conflict escalates into a shouting match, causing He Qi’s mother to cry. Unable to endure the family drama, He Qi flees the house. Li Jiajia arranges for Fang Yi and her cousin Li Leyi to pick her up, leading to a series of coincidental meetings that bring He Qi and Fang Yi closer together.

At a family barbecue hosted by Li Jiajia’s family, He Qi is introduced to Li Xiulan. The editor’s disdain is immediate and biting, insulting both He Qi and Li Jiajia. Li Jiajia erupts in anger, defending He Qi, but He Qi steps in to de-escalate the situation, accepting the criticism with grace. Despite the rejection and the awkward social encounter, He Qi begins to see Fang Yi as a source of emotional support that Chen Jin no longer provides. The story concludes with He Qi navigating the complexities of her fading relationship with Chen Jin and her budding connection with Fang Yi, as she seeks to redefine her identity beyond the roles of employee and girlfriend.