Tian Dao

In the ancient city, the female criminal police officer Rui Xiaodan sacrificed her life on her return journey after completing a mission. Four days later, Lin Yufeng, a prominent figure in the domestic audio industry, drove off a cliff with his car. Two months after, Liu Bing, a lesser-known figure in the ancient city, jumped from the 20th floor. The reason behind these deaths traces back to Ding Yuanying. Two and a half years earlier, at a dividend meeting of his private equity fund in Berlin, Ding Yuanying unexpectedly announced the dissolution of the fund. As a result, all his profits were punitively frozen, leaving him with only 160,000 yuan in converted US dollars. Xiao Yawen, Ding Yuanying's assistant, perceived him as an extraordinary individual who might bring her opportunities in the future. The dissolution of the private equity fund forced her to leave Ding Yuanying.

On the eve of her departure to the ancient city, Han Chufeng of Zhengtian Group and his close friend Ding Yuanying met in a hotel for a long drinking session. During this meeting, Ding Yuanying revealed the reason behind the sudden end of his private equity fund, which had long puzzled Han Chufeng. The next day, Xiao Yawen and others escorted Ding Yuanying to the ancient city. Ding Yuanying, still reeking of alcohol from his hangover, only intensified Rui Xiaodan's aversion towards him. Expecting Ding Yuanying to frequently seek her out based on conventional thinking, Rui Xiaodan was surprised when he did not contact her at all over the next eight months, as if he had vanished. Meanwhile, Rui Xiaodan was busy with her case investigations. By the time Spring Festival arrived, Rui Xiaodan suddenly remembered the friend she was supposed to look after. She called Ding Yuanying, only to be politely brushed off, which led her to gain a new understanding of this peculiar man.

On New Year's Day, Ding Yuanying rushes back to his hometown in Sichuan upon learning of his father's sudden stroke. His unconventional approach to filial piety causes disputes among his family. Struggling financially after the funeral, Ding sells his cherished vinyl records, meeting Liu Bing, a record shop owner in the old city. Liu Bing exploits Ding's situation, buying his records cheaply and selling them at a high price. After a year in the old city, when Ding's rent is due, Rui Xiaodan is reminded of him. Enchanted by the beautiful music from Ding's house, she becomes mesmerized after he plays "Daughter of Heaven." The following week, Rui Xiaodan frantically searches the city in her police car, looking for a sound system as impressive as Ding's, but fails and faces disciplinary action from the police force.

Rui Xiaodan visits Ye Xiaoming, who runs a Hi-Fi audio store in the ancient city, asking him to create a set identical to Ding Yuanying's audio system. Astonished upon seeing the described system at Ding Yuanying's house, Ye Xiaoming observes it reverently. After a trial listen, he believes Ding Yuanying is a true enthusiast. Learning that Ding Yuanying is so financially strained he's selling his records, Rui Xiaodan feels complicated and decides to invite him for a meal as compensation. Feng Shijie, who owns a repair shop and is Ye Xiaoming's friend, hails from Wangmiao Village in a poor county and has always sought opportunities to alleviate his village's poverty. Ye Xiaoming hints that Ding Yuanying is a highly skilled individual, leading to an encounter between Feng Shijie and Ding Yuanying. In Ouyang Xue's restaurant, Rui Xiaodan is impressed by Ding Yuanying's knowledge and demeanor, causing a subtle shift in her feelings...

After her parents' divorce, Rui Xiaodan hadn't dealt with her father since she was six, but now she borrows 200,000 yuan from him. Ouyang Xue's remarks make Rui Xiaodan realize she has unwittingly fallen in love with Ding Yuanying. She hurriedly helps Ding Yuanying find a new house and moves his belongings, and buys back the records he had sold from Liu Bing. To understand Ding Yuanying better, Rui Xiaodan visits Beijing to meet Han Chufeng, the president of Zhengtian Group and a close friend of Ding Yuanying. Xiao Yawen, a good friend, warns Rui Xiaodan that Ding Yuanying is inherently fearful of women. Regarding Rui Xiaodan's trip to Beijing, Xiao Yawen has a different perspective. She knows Han Chufeng will treat Rui Xiaodan with high regard, but believes it’s not for Rui Xiaodan’s sake, but rather due to Ding Yuanying's influence. Xiao Yawen's words leave Rui Xiaodan pondering how Han Chufeng will perceive and receive her...

Han Chufeng initially treats Rui Xiaodan as a superficial "vase" trying to get close to Ding Yuanying, but after a spirited exchange, he changes his view of her. However, Han Chufeng's assessment of Ding Yuanying makes Rui Xiaodan realize the close yet distant relationship she shares with him. Han Chufeng asks Rui Xiaodan to drive the car Ding Yuanying won in a bet back to the ancient city. Ding Yuanying admits he can't drive and has no use for a car there, leading Rui Xiaodan to understand that Han Chufeng acknowledges her presence in Ding Yuanying's life in a subtle and appropriate way. In the villa, Rui Xiaodan cooks a feast for Ding Yuanying, determined not to leave any regrets, regardless of whether he loves her back, as part of an extreme ritual. Ding Yuanying's departure breaks Rui Xiaodan's heart but deepens her love and respect for him. With these feelings, she immerses herself in the "Ma Wang Dark Forces" special task force...

Feng Shijie meticulously arranges a trip to Wangmiao Village for Rui Xiaodan and Ouyang Xue, hoping to get closer to Ding Yuanying through Rui Xiaodan. However, her approach of reciprocating politeness leaves Feng Shijie without recourse. During the operation to capture the "Ma Wang Dark Forces" at the brick kiln, the gang leader Wang Mingyang holds Rui Xiaodan at gunpoint, but luckily the bullet is a dud, and she miraculously survives. In the aftermath, her suppressed feelings for Ding Yuanying erupt uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the thought of never seeing him again. At the brink of death, Ding Yuanying realizes his deep feelings for Rui Xiaodan. In the pouring rain, they embrace tightly. In the noodle shop, Rui Xiaodan hears about "cultural attributes" for the first time from Ding Yuanying, understanding that obeying objective laws is the natural order. Guided by Ding Yuanying's insights, she devises a plan to interrogate the silent and resistant Wang Mingyang.

Following Ding Yuanying's advice, Rui Xiaodan designs an interrogation plan for Wang Mingyang. During the lengthy and intense interrogation process, she resolves each challenge, but the success of the interrogation doesn't bring her joy; instead, it leads her into deep contemplation, resulting in an unbelievable decision. She asks Ding Yuanying for a "mythical" gift: to write a poverty-alleviation success story in the impoverished Wangmiao Village. Driven by his feelings, Ding Yuanying cannot refuse. He decides to visit Wangmiao Village to understand the situation from the villagers. Feng Shijie and Ye Xiaoming are overjoyed to receive guidance from Ding Yuanying.