The '80s: My Aloof Husband Loses Control Again

In the winter of 1983, Su Manman, a young woman from a remote rural village, travels to Beijing to fulfill a promise made by her dying grandmother. Su Manman is a practitioner of gu, a traditional mystical art involving poisonous insects, which she inherited from her grandmother. Her arrival at the Qin family residence is marked by immediate tension; she appears swollen and disfigured due to a severe allergic reaction caused by a gu insect bite. Despite her intimidating appearance and rough demeanor, she claims to be the fiancée of Qin Lin, the youngest son of the elderly patriarch, Old Master Qin. The marriage was arranged decades ago between their families, but contact had faded until Shen Lanxin, Su Manman’s grandmother, sent a final letter requesting that her granddaughter be married into the Qin family to ensure her future.

Old Master Qin, feeling a sense of duty to repay a past favor to Su Manman’s grandfather, agrees to the arrangement despite his reservations. He introduces Su Manman to his four grandsons, but she is uninterested in any of them. Her attention is immediately captured by a photograph of Qin Lin, a handsome and accomplished doctor. When Qin Lin returns from a business trip, he is shocked to learn that his grandfather has already registered their marriage. Qin Lin is initially resistant, particularly because he is accompanied by a female colleague, Liu Wei, whom he had been seeing. Su Manman, misunderstanding their relationship, becomes jealous and hostile, leading to a strained and awkward beginning to their cohabitation.

A critical turning point occurs when Su Manman’s physical condition changes dramatically. After soaking in a medicinal bath, her swollen features recede, her skin clears, and she transforms into a stunningly beautiful young woman. This revelation shocks the household, particularly Aunt Zhao, the family servant, who had previously mocked Su Manman’s appearance. Old Master Qin decides to keep her mystical recovery a secret to avoid suspicion. Su Manman, now confident in her beauty, asserts her dominance within the household, demanding affection and attention from Qin Lin while displaying a lack of common sense regarding city life and social norms.

Qin Lin, though initially bewildered by Su Manman’s directness and rural ignorance, begins to develop feelings for her. He is charmed by her innocence and the way she openly expresses her affection, such as when she asks him to wash her undergarments or when she playfully teases him about their marital duties. Meanwhile, Su Manman takes a job as a mediator at a local committee, where she causes chaos with her unconventional advice and lack of understanding of modern social dynamics. Her actions attract the attention of Qin Lin’s second brother, Qin Dingguo, who disapproves of her and attempts to undermine her position.

The story explores the growing dynamic between Su Manman and Qin Lin as they navigate their arranged marriage. Su Manman’s gu abilities remain a hidden aspect of her life, though she occasionally uses them to protect herself or her family. Qin Lin’s family members, including his brothers and sister-in-law, struggle to accept Su Manman, viewing her as an outsider with questionable background and behavior. However, Qin Lin remains steadfast in his support of his wife, gradually becoming more protective and affectionate toward her. The narrative sets the stage for further conflicts as Su Manman’s past and her mystical powers may come to light, challenging her place in the Qin family and her relationship with Qin Lin.