When the wind blows

Ji Xingyao is a young, reclusive painter who recently returned to China after studying abroad. Her father, Ji Changsheng, is a wealthy and influential businessman, while her mother, Yin He, is the head of a ballet company. Ji Xingyao lives a simple life centered around her art, having just completed her acclaimed "Starry Sky" series. At an autumn auction, her painting "Starry Sky 2" sells for a record-breaking 5.8 million, catching the attention of Pei Yu, the founder of the prestigious M.K. Gallery and a legendary artist. Pei Yu is also the wife of the M.K. Group chairman and the mother of Mu Jinpei, a ruthless and strategic capital market figure who has recently returned to China to expand his business interests.

At the post-auction cocktail party, Ji Xingyao is introduced to Mu Jinpei. Their initial encounter is marked by an intense, unsettling eye contact that leaves Ji Xingyao feeling exposed and uneasy. Mu Jinpei, despite his cold demeanor, is intrigued by her. Unbeknownst to Ji Xingyao, her father harbors deep suspicions about Mu Jinpei. Ji Changsheng notices that Mu Jinpei’s eyes resemble those of a man from his past, a man he believes died years ago. This resemblance triggers old trauma and suspicion, leading Ji Changsheng to secretly investigate Mu Jinpei’s true parentage and intentions.

Following the auction, Mu Jinpei approaches Ji Xingyao regarding a representation contract for M.K. Gallery. He proposes a 50/50 revenue split, which Ji Xingyao finds unfavorable. Their negotiations are frequent and charged with tension. During one meeting at her studio, Ji Xingyao attempts to negotiate better terms by asking Mu Jinpei to model for her, a request he firmly rejects. Despite the business friction, a complex dynamic develops between them. Mu Jinpei finds that his chronic headaches, a symptom of his psychological trauma and insomnia, vanish when he is near Ji Xingyao. This physical relief adds an unconscious layer to his growing interest in her.

Meanwhile, Ji Changsheng’s investigation confirms that Mu Jinpei is indeed the biological son of Pei Yu and Chairman Mu, yet his distrust remains. Mu Jinpei is aware of Ji Changsheng’s suspicion and has planted an informant, Feng Liang, within Ji Changsheng’s inner circle to monitor him. Mu Jinpei’s return to China is not merely for business expansion; it is driven by a desire to settle old grudges with the Ji family, rooted in events from twenty-five years ago involving his birth mother’s death and a perceived betrayal by Ji Changsheng.

The narrative introduces Qi Chen, a playboy and son of a business associate, who harasses Ji Xingyao at the hospital. Mu Jinpei intervenes, using Ji Xingyao as a shield to repel another socialite, an act that further entangles their lives. Qi Chen’s fiancée is revealed to be Xu Rui, Mu Jinpei’s former secretary, who once harbored feelings for him. Xu Rui confronts Mu Jinpei about his involvement with Ji Xingyao, warning him against dragging an innocent party into his revenge plot against the Ji family.

As the story progresses, the professional relationship between Ji Xingyao and Mu Jinpei deepens. They dine together, discuss art, and navigate the complexities of their respective families. Ji Xingyao remains largely unaware of the dark history and revenge schemes surrounding her father and Mu Jinpei. Her focus remains on her art and her growing, albeit confusing, connection with the enigmatic Mu Jinpei. The tension between Ji Changsheng’s protective suspicion and Mu Jinpei’s calculated approach creates a volatile atmosphere, setting the stage for a confrontation that threatens to unravel both their lives.

The core conflict lies in the intersection of Ji Xingyao’s artistic innocence and the dark, historical grievances of the adult world. Mu Jinpei is torn between his mission to expose Ji Changsheng and his inexplicable attraction to Ji Xingyao, who represents a sense of peace he has never known. Ji Changsheng is caught between his love for his daughter and his unresolved trauma, making him vulnerable to Mu Jinpei’s schemes. The story moves toward a climax where these hidden pasts and present deceptions will collide, forcing Ji Xingyao to choose between her art, her family, and the man who seems destined to destroy her father.