Love in the Aftermath of an Earthquake

During a powerful earthquake in 1976, Li Zhiqiang, a worker-peasant-soldier student about to graduate, rescues his classmate Ai Li, saving her life.

At their wedding, Zhiqiang's fiancée, Hong Mei, discovers a love letter Ai Li wrote to him and immediately decides to divorce him.

After graduating, Ai Li defies her family's objections and marries Zhiqiang. After their wedding, the hardships of daily life, misunderstandings between the couple, and outside interference bring their relationship to a crisis. As China embarks on reform and opening up, they overcome family difficulties, work hard, and eventually reconcile. After earning his doctorate, Zhiqiang takes his family to develop their careers in a special economic zone, where they build a new life together.

After Zhiqiang succeeds in his career, he happens to meet Liu Yue. She repeatedly helps him through difficult times, enabling him to gain both fame and fortune.

Zhiqiang buys a villa for Ai Li to enjoy in retirement. After retiring, Ai Li is invited to join Lin Dan's dental clinic. Zhiqiang is busy developing his company, and the couple spend little time together. One Christmas Eve, an intimate moment after drinking pushes their marriage to the brink of collapse. To protect her rights, Ai Li takes Zhiqiang to court. On the highway, as Zhiqiang and Liu Yue travel to the trial, they encounter danger. Liu Yue dies in a car crash while protecting Zhiqiang, who is left in critical condition. Ai Li puts aside their past grievances and saves him. Her actions lead Zhiqiang to reevaluate his life and return to his family. He decides to grow old with Ai Li and spend the rest of their lives together.

After Zhiqiang's son, Xiao Hu, takes over his company, he meets and falls in love with Lin Dan, the daughter of Hong Mei. Ai Li and Hong Mei let go of their old grudges and help fulfill their children's wishes.

As China celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding, Zhiqiang and Ai Li have both entered old age. They stroll along the beach, leaving footprints in the sand as they reflect on their lives.