Li Hehua, a modern woman with a background in the culinary arts, transmigrates into the body of an obese, ill-tempered woman of the same name in ancient times. Upon waking, she finds herself in a dilapidated rural home with no memories of the original owner. Her immediate concerns are survival and understanding her new reality. She discovers she is married to Zhang Tieshan, a man who has recently returned home and intends to divorce her due to the original Li Hehua's abusive behavior toward his family, particularly his mother and younger brother. The villagers despise the original owner, viewing her as a wicked shrew, which isolates Li Hehua completely.
Struggling with her new overweight body and limited resources, Li Hehua resolves to lose weight and earn money to secure her independence. She begins by cleaning her home and fetching water, tasks that exhaust her due to her physical condition. Her first significant interaction is with a silent, traumatized young boy named Shulin, who appears to be Zhang Tieshan's son. Despite the boy's fear and rejection, Li Hehua feels a protective instinct toward him and secretly leaves food for him. Meanwhile, Zhang Tieshan and his family view her actions with suspicion, believing she is plotting against them.
Li Hehua decides to use her culinary skills to earn income. She travels to a neighboring village and offers her services as a banquet cook. Skeptical villagers and the local family, the Wangs, allow her to prepare a dish to prove her ability. She makes suan cai yu, a pickled fish dish, which impresses everyone with its flavor. The Wangs hire her for a wedding banquet, providing her with her first source of income. With this success, she buys ingredients to improve her diet and continues to secretly feed Shulin, hoping to help him overcome his trauma and eating disorders.
The core conflict revolves around Li Hehua's struggle to survive in a hostile environment while hiding her true identity and intentions. Zhang Tieshan remains distrustful, warning her to stay away from his son. However, he notices that Shulin begins to eat after consuming the food Li Hehua leaves. The story follows Li Hehua's determination to change her fate through hard work and kindness, despite the prejudice and hostility she faces from her husband, his family, and the village. She must navigate the complex social dynamics of ancient rural life while planning for her future independence.
