TangShi Lei, a young woman who has managed to escape the oppressive environment of her family in Shanghai by earning a scholarship to an art school in California, finds her newfound freedom abruptly curtailed. Her father, the head of Lei Enterprise, summons her back home to fulfill her duty as the eldest daughter and enter into an arranged marriage with the Leng family, a powerful and wealthy clan in China. The marriage is intended to strengthen the business alliance between the two families.
Upon receiving the letter from her father demanding her return, TangShi is devastated. She had worked tirelessly for her scholarship and dreams of becoming a recognized artist away from her family's influence. However, knowing her father's capability and willingness to make her life miserable if she defies him, she feels powerless to resist.
Back in Shanghai, TangShi is introduced to the Leng family under less than favorable circumstances. YuZhi Leng, the young master she is to marry, is resentful about the arrangement and treats her with disdain. He is angry at being forced into a marriage he doesn't want and projects his frustration onto TangShi. Despite this, there are hints that YuZhi might have prior knowledge of TangShi, but his feelings towards her are complicated by his loyalty to another woman named Rhea, whom he cares deeply for.
The atmosphere within the Leng household is tense, with YuZhi's aunt displaying favoritism towards Rhea, who is not her own child but someone she intends to be like a daughter. TangShi is made to feel unwelcome and inferior, especially when compared to Rhea, whose presence looms over her as someone she can never replace.
Amidst the hostility, a glimmer of kindness comes from Xiaosu, a servant who tries to help TangShi navigate through the challenging situations imposed upon her. Xiaosu provides TangShi with clothes suitable for breakfast with the Leng family and accompanies her on a shopping trip organized by Aunt RuiZi, where Lang Je, the assistant, displays little warmth or enthusiasm for the task.
Overall, TangShi is caught in a web of familial obligations, power dynamics, and personal desires. She struggles to find her place in a world where her worth seems to be measured by her ability to comply with others' expectations and where love and affection are scarce. Her journey reflects the internal conflict between duty and the pursuit of one's dreams, set against the backdrop of traditional values and modern aspirations.
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