Back to 1998, Becoming a Big Shot

Sports teacher Yuan Hongbin is kicked out after using his wife Yang Shan’s money to fund his students. He is then mysteriously killed by thugs. When he wakes up, Yuan Hongbin finds himself back in 1998. Using the knowledge from his previous life, he decides to give up on going to university and start a business. However, his parents don't support his decision, and in order to avoid repeating his past mistakes, Yuan Hongbin kneels to his parents before leaving home. On the road, Yuan Hongbin encounters his former crush, Ling Xiaoyue, being bullied. Driven by a strong sense of justice, he fights off the thugs and saves her. He later learns that Ling Xiaoyue’s brother has a conflict with his former father-in-law, Yang Zhiguo, and suddenly recalls that it was Yang Zhiguo who had him killed in his previous life. While dining with Ling Xiaoyue, Yuan Hongbin faces a group of thugs demanding protection money. He helps the boss deal with them, not realizing this act would anger Yang Zhiguo. Yuan Hongbin now decides to take on Yang Zhiguo, remembering the accountant Liu Lili who had been killed by him in his previous life. But before confronting Yang Zhiguo, Yuan Hongbin needs start-up capital for his business. In desperation, he steals a family heirloom vase to sell it. His business idea: follow in his father-in-law’s footsteps and get involved in cigarette smuggling. After a series of struggles, Yuan Hongbin catches Yang Zhiguo’s attention, who sees potential in him and wants to partner up. Using his memory, Yuan Hongbin seizes a chance for investment, and soon he meets Liu Lili. After listening to Yuan Hongbin's story, Liu Lili agrees to help gather evidence against Yang Zhiguo for his illegal activities. Yang Zhiguo attempts to kill Liu Lili but fails, and starts investigating Yuan Hongbin. It’s then that Yang Zhiguo realizes Yuan Hongbin has grown into someone he needs to watch out for. To win Yuan Hongbin over, Yang Zhiguo arranges a blind date between him and Yang Shan, not knowing that Yuan Hongbin now hates everyone in the Yang family. When Yuan Hongbin refuses, Yang Shan drugs him, takes compromising photos, and threatens him. To prevent Ling Xiaoyue from misunderstanding, Yuan Hongbin confronts Yang Zhiguo alone, using explosives to force Yang Zhiguo to clear his name. To fully bring down Yang Zhiguo, Yuan Hongbin uses his charm to win over Yang Shan. Just as Yang Zhiguo is about to be sent to prison, Yang Shan pleads for Yuan Hongbin’s help, but he only leaves her one thousand yuan, closing the chapter on his past life’s grudges. Through his efforts, Yuan Hongbin helps Ling Xiaoyue, Yang Shan, and Liu Lili resolve their differences and become friends. Yuan Hongbin also grows step by step into a business tycoon.