[1970s setting + widow + romantic tension + double lives + love and rivalry + masterful performers + based on true events + rural life + pure love]
Kuan Nüzi has been fat since childhood. When she comes of age, her father forces her to marry Xue Tong, a man from the neighboring village with a thoroughly useless look about him. Kuan Nüzi can’t stand him, and after moving into the Xue family home, she takes every chance she gets to go out. Before long, people in the village are gossiping about her. Unable to bear the rumors, Xue Tong repeatedly disrupts her work. Then Kuan Nüzi learns that her mother back home has suddenly fallen ill. With no other choice, she returns to her hometown. Once she gets there, Xue Fei gets into trouble, and Xue Tong suddenly suffers a stroke and becomes unable to move. One thing after another ties Kuan Nüzi down, leaving her no choice but to stay in the village and care for her family. But after the miserable first half of her life, she never expects to meet Wang Zhiping again. He stays by her side without complaint, teaches her new skills, grows apples with her, buys her clothes, and takes her to other places, making her feel as though she has been given a new life.
Under Kuan Nüzi’s care, her sons Xue Ning and Xue Fei grow into adults. Xue Ning leaves home to make his way in the world, builds a thriving business, and becomes a famous entrepreneur in their hometown. Xue Fei joins the army. Kuan Nüzi thinks she couldn’t be happier, but disaster always strikes when you least expect it.
