Half a Lifelong Romance 情深缘起 Episode 1

In old Shanghai in the 1930s, Gu Manzhen (played by Jiang Xin) worked as a clerical worker at the Yamei Silk Factory. She would take the tram to work every day. On this day, she saw the information about the Paramount Oiran competition on the leaflet, and her sister Gu Manlu (played by Carina Lau) was on it. Xu Shuhui (played by Zou Tingwei), the section chief of the silk weaving factory, has no time to pick up people. Gu Manzhen offered to help him pick up Shen Shijun (played by Zheng Yuanchang). After the two met, a group of workers suddenly rioted, asked the factory to pay, and insulted civilians like Gu Manzhen. Gu Manzhen looked at the injured worker, she took the initiative to speak, and everyone agreed to take the injured worker to the hospital first. This made Shen Shijun feel good about her again. Suddenly, the police came to suppress the workers and wet Gu Manzhen's clothes.

Gu Manlu prepares for the Oiran competition at Paramount, Zhu Hongcai (Guo Xiaodong) has someone wipe the uppers and receives Paramount president Shi Jingxuan (Liu Wei). Sister Meifeng saw that Fina wanted to go to Bajieshi Jingxuan, and planned to stop her, but Fina didn't give her a good face. Fina also said in front of everyone that Gu Manlu was pretending to be tender, and the two started fighting. Gu Manzhen happened to see this scene. She was worried about Gu Manlu's safety and wanted her to leave Paramount, saying that she was already working and could earn money to support her family.

Gu Manlu didn't want to leave Paramount, she thought that Gu Manzhen was too naive, she was not the same as her, she must win this Oiran competition. Unexpectedly, Gu Manlu's skirt was broken by Finas. Gu Manlu went to perform first and asked Gu Manzhen to help her mending the cheongsam. Gu Manzhen was very angry. She didn't want Gu Manlu to play, and deliberately tore off Gu Manlu's cheongsam.

Gu Manlu saw that her cheongsam was torn, and asked Gu Manzhen to take off her clothes and wear it for herself. She dressed up as a pure woman and won the first prize in the Oiran competition. But Feina bought the waiter, and when Gu Manlu received the award, she turned off the switch and then tore off Gu Manlu's wig. When the lights came on again, Gu Manlu was teased by the audience for her hairless appearance, and Shi Jingxuan sighed and left.

After returning home, Gu Manzhen looked unhappy. She took out her money to her mother and wanted her to treat Gu Manzhen fairly. My mother refused Gu Manzhen's money and told her to leave her family alone. The most important thing now is to find a good family to marry. Gu Manzhen was very sad, thinking that his mother didn't understand Gu Manlu, only money.

Gu Manlu returned to the dressing room, thinking that the audience laughed at her face, and watching Fina get in Shi Jingxuan's car and leave, she looked sad. Zhu Hongcai came to Gu Manlu and mentioned Gu Manzhen. Gu Manlu splashed Zhu Hongcai's face with fanfare and told him not to play Gu Manzhen's idea. It is impossible for a toad to eat swan meat.

Shen Shijun wanted to invite Gu Manzhen to dinner, but Gu Manzhen found an excuse and did not agree. She knew that a new member of the factory would expel herself. Xu Shuhui told him not to provoke Gu Manzhen, because Gu Manzhen has always been indifferent. Gu Manzhen saw Zhu Hongcai on the tram. Zhu Hongcai wanted to take the opportunity to be alone with Gu Manzhen. Fortunately, Gu's servant came to help.

Gu Manzhen went to the hospital to prescribe medicine and saw Gu Manlu's ex-boyfriend Zhang Yujin. She thought that Zhang Yujin had failed Gu Manlu at the time and wanted them to get back together again. Gu Manlu entered Paramount at that time, also because he wanted to save their brother. After Zhang Yujin left Gu Manlu, she ran around to become a doctor. Gu Manzhen accused Zhang Yujin of being useless and failed to save Gu Manlu, causing her to enter the land of fireworks. She wanted Zhang Yujin to meet Gu Manlu and talk to each other.