Zhao Nianhui awakens in a dim, dilapidated room to find herself trapped with Zhang Mazi, a violent man who has drugged her. As the original owner of this body, a timid educated youth, died under similar circumstances after being framed for stealing a fiancé, Zhao Nianhui realizes she has transmigrated into a novel as a cannon fodder character destined for a tragic end. Using her modern medical knowledge and calm demeanor, she fights back, breaking Zhang Mazi's leg with a brick and escaping just as a mysterious man, Qin Hongyuan, arrives. Qin Hongyuan, who had previously been framed for the original owner's death in the book's plot, helps her hide and escape the angry mob led by her supposed friend, Shen Meizhu, and her fiancé, Zheng Zhen.
Zhao Nianhui confronts Shen Meizhu and Zheng Zhen, exposing their collusion and breaking off her engagement with Zheng Zhen in front of the villagers. She reveals that she injured Zhang Mazi in self-defense and offers to treat his leg, shifting public sympathy in her favor. Back at the educated youth dormitory, she retrieves a jade pendant from Shen Meizhu, which she knows is crucial for Shen's future rise to power in the capital, thereby cutting off the antagonist's path to success. Zhao Nianhui resolves to focus on her own survival and future, aiming to pass the college entrance examination and return to the city.
Her days are filled with hard agricultural labor, but she begins to form an uneasy alliance with Qin Hongyuan, the young son of the production team leader. Qin Hongyuan, initially distant, shows glimpses of kindness by sharing food and protecting her from the harsh sun. Meanwhile, Zhao Nianhui navigates complex relationships with her fellow educated youth, particularly Ye Xiaoyue, who initially suspects her but later becomes an unlikely ally after discovering Shen Meizhu's manipulative nature. When Ye Xiaoyue's money is stolen, Zhao Nianhui cleverly uses the situation to expose Tian Fang, one of Shen Meizhu's accomplices, clearing her own name and strengthening her position within the group.
Determined to improve her financial situation and prepare for her exams, Zhao Nianhui decides to sell food in the nearby town. She experiments with recipes using local ingredients, creating delicious dishes from river fish and shrimp that impress even the picky Ye Xiaoyue. With the help of Uncle Li, a kind local who transports her goods, she sets up a small stall in town. Her business acumen and culinary skills begin to attract customers, marking her first steps toward independence. Throughout these events, her interactions with Qin Hongyuan deepen, revealing his protective nature and hinting at a growing connection between them, while she remains focused on her ultimate goal of escaping the countryside and reclaiming her destiny.
