Summary
Highlights
The protagonist, Ye Tian, wakes up to find himself in a precarious situation: his three children are plotting to kill him due to his past abusive behavior. He realizes he has transmigrated into a book character, the villainous father of future antagonists. Determined to change their grim future and his own, he begins to act kindly towards them.
Ye Tian starts to cook for his children and shows concern for their well-being, surprising them. However, their distrust is deeply rooted. His daughter, Ye Shuangxue, is accused of stealing a bracelet by the Shen family. Ye Tian defends her, exposing Shen Qi's own misdeeds and proving his daughter's innocence. This act begins to earn a small degree of trust from his children.
Ye Tian takes his children to the city, where he buys them new clothes and treats them to a meal. He also suggests opening a hot pot restaurant. Meanwhile, an old kung fu master, initially meant to be Shen Qi's mentor, takes an interest in Ye Shuangxue, unknowingly becoming her first teacher. The children, still planning to leave Ye Tian, prepare for their departure.
The children execute their plan to leave, believing Ye Tian wants to abandon them. However, Ye Tian secretly ensures their safe passage. Unbeknownst to them, the Empress of Zhou, their biological mother who lost her memory and was poisoned, is also searching for her children and is closing in on Sifang City.
Ye Shuangxue, unable to leave her father, returns. Ye Tian expresses his commitment to being a good father. He encourages his children to excel, even if it means becoming 'protagonists' (meaning successful in their chosen paths). He encourages Ye Shuangxue to pursue martial arts when she encounters Sun Wuji again.
Ye Tian devises a plan to publicly humiliate Shen Qi and gain public support. He frames Shen Qi for stealing and other scandalous acts, leading to Shen Qi's arrest and disgrace. With Shen Qi out of the way, Ye Tian can focus on opening his hot pot restaurant, a venture he hopes will bring prosperity to his family.
Ye Tian successfully opens his hot pot restaurant, much to the disbelieving delight of his children. They help promote the restaurant, and even the City Lord's daughter is impressed. The children's previous skepticism about Ye Tian's transformation slowly wanes as they witness his dedication.
The Empress of Zhou, the children's real mother, arrives in Sifang City as an envoy. Ye Yunting is chosen to greet her, leading to a fateful encounter. The Empress recognizes her children, and the truth about their royal lineage is revealed, much to the shock of Ye Tian and the City Lord, who recognizes the Empress's true identity.
The Empress reveals her identity and her desire to take her children back to the palace. The children, however, choose to stay with Ye Tian. Shen Qi, attempting to scheme again, is exposed and punished. The Empress, moved by the children's loyalty to Ye Tian and acknowledging his efforts, agrees to allow Ye Tian and Sun Wuji to join them in the palace, setting the stage for a new life for the family.