In the original plot, the male lead and female lead were able to meet, or rather, the male lead was able to see the female lead in a different light, thanks in part to He Tiantian, the top-grade former wife.
The male lead’s career suffered a major setback due to his former wife’s betrayal, casting a shadow over his psyche as well.
He always felt that beautiful women were restless, and that disparities between the social statuses of men and women made problems all too likely.
So, when his childhood friend and good buddy started dating a female university student from a remote mountain village, the male lead took it upon himself to offer some advice.
Of course, the male lead, being the male lead, was a forthright, aloof god.
He gave his friend advice out of consideration for their friendship.
He himself wasn’t the type to meddle in others’ affairs or gossip like Third Uncle, and his words warning his friend not to be misled by a woman’s appearance were spoken only once.
However, as it happened, the female lead overheard the male lead saying these things to his friend just as she was passing by.
The female lead, born into poverty but continually striving to better herself, came from a family that, though uneducated, were sensible and understanding.
And her looks were dazzlingly beautiful, a kind of attackingly aggressive beauty.
Such beauty, in a more open and tolerant future era, would have earned her the titles of "big sister" and "goddess."
But in the relatively conservative 1990s, people were much harsher on women, and a stunning beauty like the female lead often found herself judged through tinted lenses.
Comments like "She looks unsteady," "An ordinary man couldn’t keep her in check," and such...
Beauty became an original sin, and the female lead’s character and talent were completely negated because of her appearance.
Throughout her life, the female lead encountered too much prejudiced scrutiny.
She thought that her hometown was just too insular and traditional, and the people’s thinking was inevitably confined.
Indeed, once she left her mountain village and moved to the big city, most people around her no longer gave her those kinds of looks or uttered those words.
But there were still a few who liked to define a woman by her appearance.
For example, at this moment, a man with thick eyebrows and an earnest face, who resembled a meddlesome old lady, was telling another man, "Too beautiful women tend to be restless."
Excuse me, it’s already the 1990s, over ten years into the reform and opening up, and there are still such biases and discrimination?
The female lead was already disgusted by people who harbored prejudice towards women’s looks, and she had even felt a hint of fondness for that man at first sight.
But from his mouth, she heard the very opinion she loathed the most, and flames of rage ignited in her pretty, large eyes.
And so, a classic scenario that often appears in romance novels and idol dramas unfolded.
The female lead and the male lead "mistakenly" got to know each other without fighting first—prideful woman, outwardly arrogant man who, deep down, respected her greatly.
Back and forth they went, quintessential bickering lovers.
As the two got to know each other better, they gradually fell in love and eventually became a couple!
But now, He Tiantian has refused to follow the original script, unwilling to play the role of the top-grade former wife and, through her actions, has caused the male lead to leave the military two years early.
And two years later, whether or not the male lead and female lead would meet by chance again, whether or not a misunderstanding would lead to conflict, and turn them into bickering lovers, He Tiantian couldn’t guarantee.
However, He Tiantian was certain that the male lead and female lead were fated. When the right time came, they would inevitably meet, become acquainted, and fall in love.
It’s just that in this process, He Tiantian didn’t want to get involved.
Even if it was just as a "contributing factor," He Tiantian didn’t want to play that part.
As for statements like "When the need arises, she and her family will cooperate at any time," those were just to appease Student Xiao D.
Just like now, when Student Xiao D’s core finally had a moment of inspiration, but still got shut down by He Tiantian with a few sentences.
Student Xiao D: ...Oh right, the official plot won’t start until two years from now.
When the crucial time comes, reminding He Tiantian will still be timely, haha.
Student Xiao D thought to themselves quietly.
Things didn’t seem so urgent after all, and Xiao D found the opportunity to think about other matters.
For example, its level was too low; it could only monitor the province where He Tiantian was located.
If it leveled up, unlocking a big enough God’s Eye View, it could control the movements of the male lead, female lead, or any character at will, any time.
Instead of like now, when it felt something was off but lacked clear evidence—whimper, it had no idea what the male lead was up to right now.