Fugitive orphan girl Maisui is forced by Chen Cuihua to marry the poor man Chen Shitou in exchange for half a bag of grain. Chen Shitou protects her with his last remaining rations, and the two become husband and wife. Relying on her embroidery and tofu-making skills, Maisui fights back against her aunt Chen Cuihua, who tries to grab their land deed, burn their house, spread rumors, ruin their seedlings, frame them with fake tofu, and report them. Together with Chen Shitou, they break the deadlock with integrity and sincerity, growing from a street stall to a workshop making tofu, dried tofu skin, and fermented bean curd, leading the villagers to prosperity and ultimately winning respect. Starting from a desperate plight, they rely on their own hands and mutual devotion to turn a bitter life sweet and live with dignity.