This novel follows Xiaomei's harrowing journey from a hopeful university graduate to a survivor of trauma and manipulation. After a brutal sexual assault by Liang Chao, she’s trapped in a loveless, controlling marriage with Daqiang, then another with the mama’s boy Zhimin. Escaping both, she faces harassment and poverty as a single mom, but finds solace in art, community support from Liying, and small acts of self-love. Through painting, running, and volunteering, she rebuilds her identity, defying predators and societal judgment. The pearl hairpin, once a symbol of broken dreams, becomes a badge of resilience. This gripping tale of survival and self-reclamation shows how even in darkness, the human spirit can bloom again, one brave choice at a time.