In Chinese society at the beginning of the 20th century, the collision of tradition and modernity was constantly staged. In 1917, Chen Cheng was appreciated by his friend Wu Ziyi for his outstanding ability, and through Wu Ziyi's introduction, Chen Cheng became acquainted with Wu Shunlian, a woman born into a prestigious family. Chen Cheng was born in poverty, and the background of the Wu family brought him the quality of life he longed for, so he happily married Wu Shunlian.
On the first night of their wedding, the embarrassment and contradictions between the two began to be revealed. Chen Cheng found that Wu Shunlian's feet were wrapped in traditional footcloths, which made him feel uncomfortable with his new education. This discovery quickly cooled the enthusiasm in his heart, but despite this, he chose to endure in the face of family pressure and practical interests. Soon after his marriage, Chen Cheng left his hometown to study, and Wu Shunlian used his dowry to fund his studies.
For seven years, Chen Cheng kept in correspondence with his family until 1925, when his father died. After returning, his relationship with Wu Shunlian became even more estranged, especially after Wu Shunlian took the initiative to approach and was rudely rejected by Chen Cheng, she hurt herself in an emotional agitation, although she survived in the end.
Chen Cheng's career gradually rose, and during this time, he gained the favor of important figures in the Nationalist government and was introduced to Tan Xiang, a woman of prominent origin. In order to marry Tan Xiang, Chen Cheng decided to divorce Wu Shunlian and worked hard to end his relationship with other women. Eventually, he married Tan Xiang and had six children and a happy family life, while Wu Shunlian ended her life alone.
All this makes one reflect on the fact that neither material nor identity attraction is enough to constitute a lasting marriage and happiness. In the pursuit of spiritual resonance and emotional fit, we should think deeply about the fact that true happiness comes from mutual understanding and respect. This history is not only a meditation on the fate of the individual, but also a microcosm of the social changes of that era.