In 1980, twenty-year-old Lin Qiao’er lives a life of servitude in Stone Village, Harbin, after the death of her parents. She is forced to work for her aunt Feng Xingmei and uncle Lin Defei, who occupy the house left by her father. Lin Qiao’er works as a commune cook, enduring physical exhaustion and emotional abuse, while her wages are confiscated by her aunt. Her only kindness comes from Cheng Jianye, a childhood friend who promised to marry her after university, though she suspects his intentions may have changed. The narrative shifts when Lin Qiao’er begins experiencing morning sickness and realizes she is pregnant. A mysterious voice belonging to her unborn son, Suisui, begins communicating with her, warning her of dangers and guiding her actions. The voice reveals that her uncle and aunt are plotting to sell her to human traffickers for a bride price, a scheme designed to keep her labor and prevent her from reclaiming her parents’ house.
Upon overhearing her uncle’s conversation about selling her, Lin Qiao’er resolves to escape. With the help of Suisui’s guidance, she discovers that Cheng Jianye has betrayed her affections for her cousin, Lin Xiuyu. After retrieving an IOU for twenty yuan lent to Cheng Jianye’s family, she uses the money to purchase veterinary tranquilizers. She drugs her uncle’s family during a meal, allowing her to steal three hundred yuan and ten small gold bars hidden by her aunt. She then escapes to the village chief’s house, where she had previously saved the chief’s grandson from drowning. In gratitude, the village chief provides her with an introduction letter to Shanghai and arranges transport to the station.
At the train station, Lin Qiao’er encounters Wen Shuwan, whose son she saves from choking using the Heimlich maneuver. Wen Shuwan, grateful for the rescue, invites Lin Qiao’er to travel with her and her family to Shanghai, upgrading Lin Qiao’er to a sleeper berth. On the train, Lin Qiao’er meets Zhao Chufeng, a police officer investigating human trafficking rings, to whom she reports her aunt’s involvement. Zhao Chufeng is immediately attracted to Lin Qiao’er, but she remains focused on her goal. She also encounters Zhao Moting, a handsome engineer and Zhao Chufeng’s older brother. Upon smelling sandalwood soap on Zhao Moting, Lin Qiao’er recognizes him as the man who assaulted her months earlier. Suisui reveals that Zhao Moting is the father of her twins.
When Lin Qiao’er asks Zhao Moting about his marital status, he reveals he has a fiancée, causing her to retreat in despair. However, Suisui reassures her that her father will protect them. Meanwhile, Zhou Huijin, Wen Shuwan’s sister-in-law and Zhao Chufeng’s childhood rival, grows suspicious of Lin Qiao’er. After Lin Qiao’er vomits due to pregnancy, Zhou Huijin checks her pulse and confirms she is pregnant. The story concludes with Lin Qiao’er arriving in Shanghai, determined to find Zhao Moting and secure a future for her children, while navigating the hostile attentions of Zhou Huijin and the growing affection of Zhao Chufeng.
