In 1975, factory worker Ni Fei's college dreams are crushed again. When Muyang Fang returns home and is injured saving others, she volunteers to care for him, recognizing him from her past and unknowingly linking their futures.
Ni Fei is frustrated that Muyang Fang can't remember anything. She is forced to teach him again so she can go to college. Meanwhile, his sister, Mujing Fang, encounters Hua Qu during a confrontation with a wayward passenger on a train.
Ni Fei asks Muyang Fang for help in reporting Muyang Fang's recovery to the factory manager, Hongqi Xu. Muyang Fang then goes to a thrift store with Ni Fei to play the piano.
Because Hongqi Xu deliberately stalls Ni Fei to avoid college, she is forced to follow her parents' arranged marriage. When she is matched with Hongqi Xu's son, Feng Ye, and brings to her parents' home, Muyang Fang shows up.
Muyang Fang finally remembers Ni Fei as his junior high school friend. He asks Ni Fei not to marry until Muyang Fang finds a job and a home. Meanwhile, Hua Qu reunites with Mujing Fang at university.
Feng Ye disagrees with Ni Fei's decision to call off their arranged marriage because of her mother, Hongqi Xu. Muyang Fang helps her and they agree to marry for the sake of their home. Meanwhile, Hua Qu questions Mujing Fang's family.
Muyang Fang asks Ni Fei's parents for their blessing to marry Ni Fei, but they refuses, so Muyang Fang looks for a way to get them to accept him. Meanwhile, Hua Qu proposes to Mujing Fang despite her family background.
Ting Fei suddenly arrives and kidnaps Muyang Fang as he and Ni Fei are about to get married. Ni Fei then draws up a prenuptial agreement, which he agrees to. Because Hongqi Xu is very indecisive, the couple end up sleeping in her office.
Muyang Fang and Ni Fei take over a disputed factory room, drawing public attention and conflict. Past problems resurface, resulting in an uncertain agreement granting them housing. They turn the shabby space into a home with warmth.
Mingde Fei tests Muyang Fang's loyalty to Ni Fei by drinking together. Ni Fei convinces Mei Lin's parents to approve Ting Fei and Mei Lin's marriage. Muyang Fang helps build household furniture as Ting Fei's dowry for Mei Lin.
Ni Fei and Muyang Fang hold a reception in the cafeteria of the textile factory where Ni Fei works. Muyang Fang confesses his love to Ni Fei, but he don't expect his sister, Mujing Fang, to come with her husband, Hua Qu.
Ni Fei and Muyang Fang's house is raided by Lin Feng, Hongqi Xu and Xiaoman Wang, who are suspected of being a fake couple. Muyang Fang calls all the neighbors and plays a prank on Xiaoman Wang, who allegedly reports them.
Neighbors await a TV as Muyang Fang works secretly with others to build one, impressing Ni Fei. They finish. Mujing Fang finds her husband can't forget his ex. The TV earns praise, helping Ting Fei, but Mei Lin's family adds demands.
Muyang Fang makes a modified bed for Ni Fei to avoid suspicion from the neighbors. Lin Feng, who hates Ni Fei from the start, tries to frame her brother, Ting Fei, with his essay which is considered not in favor of the people.
Ni Fei and Muyang Fang bond over creative pursuits. Lin Feng publicly destroys Ni Fei's praised designs, forcing her to reconsider her direction. Mujing Fang encounters ex-lover Wei Liu, stirring old pain and making Hua Qu jealous.
Ni Fei's parents are furious and disappointed when they read Ni Fei and Muyang Fang's prenuptial agreement is for the sake of their home. Ni Fei's family urges them to divorce, but they both insists on maintaining their marriage.
Hua Qu approaches his brother-in-law, Muyang Fang, to know Mujing Fang's personality. He gives food and sweater for Mujing Fang and her colleagues. Mei Lin enlists Ni Fei's help in catching Ting Fei, who is suspected of cheating.
Ni Fei and Muyang Fang enjoy married life while Ting Fei faces workplace stress. When Yi Ling publishes Ni Fei's article as her own, Muyang Fang helps prove the plagiarism. Ni Fei forgives Yi Ling but reclaims her work.
Ni Fei gives him a lantern with a picture made by Muyang Fang that has been thrown away. Meanwhile, Mujing Fang comes home drunk and delirious about Hua Qu, much to Hua Qu's delight.
Ni Fei and Muyang Fang are arrested for having the banned book. They are released on condition that their house be confiscated. While she is staying at her family's house, an earthquake struck. Muyang Fang rushes to retrieve Ni Fei.
Muyang Fang, Ni Fei and Hua Qu return home safely. Muyang Fang's superior informs him that his parents have returned from the village. A new deputy director announces that Hongqi Xu has been transferred back to her original work.
A new deputy director dissolves the factory basketball team. Feng Ye resists but must work in the cafeteria. Ting Fei embraces kitchen work. Ni Fei encourages Feng Ye. Muyang Fang's parents return; the couple gets their own room.
Ni Fei reapplies to university, to fulfill her dream to become a writer after her factory recommends to Ningzhou University. Hua Qu overcomes his fear of surgery by operating on his grandmother, moving past with Mujing Fang's support.
Muyang Fang quits his publishing job after losing a creative vote with his editor. He takes a waiter position to stay independent. Ting Fei and Mei Lin find a bag of cash and face trouble with her brother while trying to return it.
Mujing Fang openly calls Shanhe Mu "Mom," surprising her colleagues. After work, Hua Qu also calls Shanhe Mu "Mom". Meanwhile, Muyang Fang needs Ni Fei for novel ideas.
Mei Lin's brother has an accident that leaves his legs disabled, but Mei Lin refuses to help him due to his own greed. Ni Fei tells Muyang Fang that their house is returned because Lin Feng is fired from the factory.
Ni Fei's hopes are dashed when a program is postponed, but restored entrance exams offer new opportunity. Ting Fei becomes a permanent worker after returning lost money. Ni Fei and Muyang Fang study, pass exams and enter their fields.
