In 1980, a modern woman named Wen Nian transmigrates into the body of a supporting female character from a novel titled "Back to the '80s: Marrying a Military Officer." The original character shared her name and was destined to marry an abusive man named Zheng Jiahe, only to be beaten to death while still defending him. Wen Nian wakes up in Shanghe Village, a dilapidated rural setting, where she is immediately confronted by her adoptive father Wen Jiancheng, stepmother Chen Qiuwei, and stepsister Wen Xue. The family has been scheming to swap identities: Wen Xue will impersonate Wen Nian to marry into the prestigious Lu family, while the real Wen Nian is forced to marry Zheng Jiahe. Wen Nian fights back against their abuse, threatening to expose their schemes if they harm her, and manages to turn the tables by spreading rumors that Lu Hanzheng, the intended Lu family groom, has a sexual defect. This causes Wen Xue to refuse the marriage, forcing the family to reconsider their plans.
Meanwhile, Lu Hanzheng, the regiment commander of the 18th Regiment and son of Capital Military District Commander Lu Binghuai, has been searching for nineteen years for the daughter of his fallen comrade, Wen Qingguo, who saved his life in battle. Unaware that the child he seeks is the girl he rescued from a river, Lu Hanzheng encounters Wen Nian when he comes to her family home to retrieve his uniform. Wen Nian, recognizing him as the handsome man she briefly saw, decides to use this opportunity to stay within the Lu family rather than face the Zheng marriage. She claims to be Lu Hanzheng's girlfriend, fabricating a romantic backstory involving a summer meeting in Shanghe Village. Despite his amnesia from a recent mission injury, Lu Hanzheng agrees to let her stay temporarily to care for him, though he remains suspicious and distant.
Wen Nian moves into the Lu family compound, where she impresses the household with her exceptional cooking skills, enhanced by a mysterious spirit milk from a jade pendant space she possesses. She navigates the complex dynamics of the Lu household, including the stern but caring Lin Siyun, the authoritative Lu Binghuai, and the shy adopted sister Jiang Xixi. As she cares for the recovering Lu Hanzheng, she continues to pursue him romantically, attempting to deepen their connection while gathering information about his past. Lu Hanzheng, though initially cold and guarded, begins to notice her genuine kindness and culinary talents. He investigates her background and discovers inconsistencies in her story but finds no evidence of espionage or malicious intent. The story follows Wen Nian's efforts to secure her place in the Lu family, avoid the tragic fate of the original character, and uncover the truth about her own identity while navigating the political and social landscape of 1980s China.
