Lu Chen, a key aquaculture technology specialist at Lanhai Aquatic Products, develops a live-fish transportation technology using saline-alkali water that achieves a high survival rate. His innovation helps his cousin Zhou Hao earn 50 million yuan, but Zhou steals the patent under the company's name and refuses to pay Lu his promised share of the profits, forcing him to leave. Lu returns to his hometown of Shawocun, leases barren saline-alkali land, and attempts to farm marine fish in the desert. Facing villagers' doubts, a pond-water bet, and cutthroat price competition, Lu succeeds through strict standards and careful management. Meanwhile, Zhou hides diseased fish to cut costs, causing food poisoning at a wedding banquet. His company collapses and comes under investigation.