Bian Li is a journalist who has been married to Fu Xiangze for over a year, yet their relationship remains largely formal and distant due to his demanding career as a military pilot. The marriage was arranged based on a pre-marital agreement, with both parties maintaining separate lives and minimal contact. Bian Li, who suffers from social anxiety and has a history of neglecting her health due to work, lives alone in an apartment while Fu Xiangze spends most of his time at remote military bases. Their only interaction prior to the story's main events is a brief phone call where he informs her of his return for a family dinner.
The narrative begins when Fu Xiangze returns from training and arrives at the airport to pick up Bian Li. In a moment of comedic awkwardness, Bian Li fails to recognize her own husband, mistaking him for a stranger and even answering his phone call with another man. This incident highlights the emotional distance between them and sets the tone for their initial interactions, which are marked by Fu Xiangze's teasing and Bian Li's flustered attempts to maintain composure. Despite the awkward start, Fu Xiangze insists that Bian Li move into their shared wedding home, marking the first time they will live together.
As they settle into their new home, the couple begins to navigate the complexities of their arranged marriage. Bian Li faces discomfort in Fu Xiangze's family environment, particularly from his mother, Li Zhimeng, who openly favors Fu Xiangze's childhood sweetheart, Jiang Yumian, and treats Bian Li with cold indifference. In contrast, Fu Xiangze's grandparents and Bian Li's own family, including her protective cousin Fang Yixing and her loving aunt Dong Anyue, provide a supportive backdrop. Fang Yixing confronts Fu Xiangze about his neglect of Bian Li, revealing that she was hospitalized for appendicitis six months prior without his knowledge or care.
A significant turning point occurs when Bian Li suffers a severe episode of acute gastroenteritis due to her irregular diet and overwork. Fu Xiangze rushes her to the hospital, where he takes on the role of caregiver, feeding her porridge and ensuring she receives proper medical attention. This experience forces the couple to confront the reality of their situation. During her hospitalization, Bian Li's neighbor and colleague, Doctor Zhou, reveals his romantic interest in her, which triggers jealousy and possessiveness in Fu Xiangze. He firmly asserts his position as her husband to Doctor Zhou, signaling a shift in his emotional investment.
Following Bian Li's discharge, the couple begins to develop a more genuine connection. Fu Xiangze starts cooking for her and showing concern for her well-being, while Bian Li begins to see past his stoic exterior. However, tensions remain with Fu Xiangze's mother, whose prejudice against Bian Li continues to create friction. The story also introduces the looming presence of Jiang Yumian, who maintains a close relationship with Fu Xiangze's family and appears to be a rival for his affection. As Bian Li and Fu Xiangze adjust to living together, they must navigate family expectations, external romantic interests, and their own growing feelings to determine the future of their marriage.
