Born into a poor family, Lu Qingchuan earns the highest score in the county's entrance examination and gets into a prestigious university, only to face relentless obstruction from his biased family. Hoping to swindle the betrothal gifts, his relatives spread rumors that he has died a tragic death and even hold a fake funeral for him. Meanwhile, his childhood sweetheart, Shen Zhihe, works desperately as a day laborer at a brick kiln, using her dowry savings to pay for his education in the provincial capital. Through relentless hard work and dedication, Lu Qingchuan solves major national technological challenges, earns the title of National Model Worker, and becomes the youngest Chief Technical Engineer in the country. Shen Zhihe also builds an independent life for herself and becomes an exemplary employee at a major factory. Together, they stand against evildoers, while the greedy Lu family attempts to kidnap him and force him into marrying into another family in exchange for a bride price. In the end, the Lu family is utterly disgraced. Lu Qingchuan returns to his hometown with an extravagant wedding procession, kneels to thank the Shen family, and proudly marries Shen Zhihe, the woman who stood by him through every hardship.