Chen Xudong graduated from a prestigious university. Talented, emotionally intelligent, principled, and steadfast, he is assigned to a remote township as a village-based cadre because he has no connections. Deep down, he has an unyielding determination to prove himself.
He faces a workplace disadvantage caused by his ordinary background, real-world obstacles to his romance, a battle of social standing against rivals who rose through connections, and all kinds of complex problems in grassroots work.
Relying on his own abilities, he breaks free of the constraints of his background, achieves impressive results at the grassroots level, and climbs the social ladder. He gets face-slapping revenge on his snobbish rivals and former mother-in-law, and ultimately finds success in his career and a more suitable love.
Chen Xudong is outstanding in every respect. After graduating from university, he is assigned to a township because his family is of modest means and has no connections, becoming a village-based cadre.
His classmates, however, use their families' connections to land jobs in government departments.
That alone would not have mattered, but Liu Xudong's girlfriend, Hou Xiaojia, faces opposition from her family, who refuse to let them continue dating and marry.
Their main objection is that Liu Xudong has been assigned to a township, where they believe he has no future.
Then a third party enters the picture: Gou Ren uses his uncle's connections to get Hou Xiaojia a job at the municipal finance bureau as well.
Hou Xiaojia is torn. Deep down, she does not want to break up with Liu Xudong.
For one thing, they spent three years together at university and had a strong relationship. For another, Gou Ren is nothing special: he is short and stocky, with a rat-like face.
By chance, Liu Xudong and Gou Ren meet at Hou Xiaojia's home.
Hou Xiaojia's mother goes out of her way to ingratiate herself with Gou Ren, leaving Liu Xudong deeply upset...
