Wen Jianing, a delicate young woman from a former capitalist family in Shanghai, endures a grueling journey across the Gobi Desert to reach a remote military regiment in Shazhou. She is not there for the organized matchmaking event intended for textile workers, but to seek refuge with Song Tingyue, a regimental commander she has not seen in six years. Their history is complicated; Song Tingyue was adopted by the Wen family as a child after his mother died searching for his father. He raised Wen Jianing with devoted affection, but as she entered adolescence, her feelings shifted from sibling love to romantic obsession. When she discovered her secret diary entries had been exposed and saw him rejecting another girl, she felt humiliated and lashed out with cruel words, severing their relationship. Now, with her parents arrested and her family stripped of status, Wen Jianing arrives with no marriage certificate, hoping to accompany him as a military dependent to avoid forced labor in the countryside.
Song Tingyue receives her with cold professionalism, initially refusing entry due to incomplete paperwork. However, upon learning she is his long-lost sister figure, he relents, though his demeanor remains stern and distant. He agrees to a fake marriage solely to help her, emphasizing that their union is temporary and strictly for legal convenience. He assigns her a modest apartment in the family quarters but insists on sleeping on a straw mat on the floor to maintain propriety and avoid suspicion, clarifying that he will only visit occasionally. This rejection stings Wen Jianing, who still harbors deep feelings for him, but she accepts his terms to survive in this harsh new environment.
As Wen Jianing adjusts to military life, she faces significant cultural and social shocks. The scarcity of resources, the communal latrines, and the rough living conditions contrast sharply with her privileged upbringing in Shanghai. Her attempts to integrate are met with hostility from other military wives, particularly a woman named Jiang Xiaocui, who gossips about Wen Jianing’s arrogance and capitalist background. Despite this, Wen Jianing finds an ally in Aunt Gu, the wife of the political commissar, who offers her kindness and guidance. Meanwhile, Song Tingyue struggles with his own internal conflict; while he maintains a rigid exterior to protect his career and adhere to military regulations, he secretly ensures Wen Jianing’s comfort, sending her snacks and instructing Aunt Gu to look after her.
The tension escalates when Song Tingyue’s father, a high-ranking general, discovers the irregularities in Wen Jianing’s household registration transfer. Furious at what he perceives as abuse of power, the general confronts his son, leading to a violent altercation where he strikes Song Tingyue with an ashtray. Song Tingyue accepts the punishment without complaint, demonstrating his willingness to sacrifice his standing for Wen Jianing’s safety. The incident highlights the precariousness of their situation and the political dangers surrounding their fake marriage. As rumors spread about Song Tingyue’s true intentions and Wen Jianing’s role in the regiment, both characters are forced to navigate a minefield of military protocol, family expectations, and unresolved emotional history. The story sets the stage for a complex relationship where duty and affection collide, and where Wen Jianing must learn to survive in a world far removed from the sheltered life she once knew.
