Laid-off worker Wang Deguang married retired doctor Lin Huilan. Best friend Zhang Guilan and son Zhao Lei determined he was a gold-digger after the house and pension. For five years he was cautious, not letting her pay for expenses. On Lin Huilan's birthday, he did odd jobs to save money to buy a 3,000-yuan jade bracelet, but was mocked by Zhang Guilan, and Lin Huilan also suspected him. Wang Deguang felt chilled to the bone and broke up on the spot, the next day taking only a suitcase and ID card heading south. He went south to learn plumbing and carpentry, working all the way up to team leader and getting official employment. Zhao Lei and Zhang Guilan took turns mocking him, and relatives created a group chat betting he would beg for food. In the end, he was hired by the provincial capital technical school as an intern instructor, living out a second half of life where he calls the shots himself.