Burn the Past, Guard the Nation
Grace spent fifteen years loving a family that never loved her back. Then her cousin stole her college spot, her fiancé, and her wedding—so Grace walked out, vanished into the desert, and became a legend.
Story Guide
Episode 1
Grace has spent fifteen years being told she owes Lin Xia her life. Lin Xia's father drowned saving her, so her parents brought her cousin home—and handed her everything: the good food, the bright room, the affection. Now they want her spot at Peking University too.
At school, Grace quietly tells Teacher Chen she'll keep studying, but she's switching her name from Peking University to a classified defense program at National Defense University. It requires erasing her identity entirely. The teacher asks if she's discussed it with family. Grace says she'll decide for herself.
Her fiancé Gu Yanxiu is no better. He warns her to live on campus after university and not come looking for him, because Lin Xia will get jealous. He even says they don't need to register their marriage. Grace just nods.
Then Lin Xia shows off everything Gu Yanxiu bought her—clothes, shoes, a radio—and the necklace around her neck. It's Grace's grandmother's keepsake, the one Gu Yanxiu once gave her. He shrugs it off: it's not valuable, he'll buy Grace a better one later.
Grace says nothing. She walks home alone while Lin Xia smirks from the back seat. Inside, her mother slides a piece of fish into her bowl and calls it her favorite. Grace says flatly that she's allergic to fish. It's Lin Xia who likes it.
Her parents demand she give up the university spot. When she stays silent, her father threatens to throw her out—he has no such daughter. Her mother orders her to work after summer and earn Lin Xia's tuition. "This is what you owe her."
Grace lies on the damp, moldy bed on the balcony and thinks: one more month. Then she'll disappear for good.
Episode 2
Gu Jianhua, Gu Yanxiu's adoptive father, arrives home and sees fireworks—he assumes they're celebrating Grace's university admission. Gu Yanxiu corrects him coldly: the fireworks aren't for Grace. She gave her spot to Lin Xia.
Gu Jianhua is the only person who has ever truly cared for Grace. He's about to scold his son when Grace stops him with a forced smile, asking him to rest first. She can't risk him digging into her real plans—the defense program, the erased identity.
Later, Gu Yanxiu corners her with more demands. Don't tell his father about the marriage registration. Find a good excuse for giving up the spot. Don't mention the registration in front of Lin Xia—she's fragile. And prepare cloth and grain coupons for Lin Xia as a blessing.
Grace asks him flatly what she even has left. With his and her parents' favor, would Lin Xia lack anything?
Then Lin Xia overhears them talking about the marriage registration. She slams her head against the wall, screaming that she likes Gu Yanxiu too. The family rushes her to the hospital. Gu Yanxiu turns on Grace: "You did this on purpose. You wanted to provoke her. I never thought you could be so vicious."
Grace goes home and starts packing. In a battered box on the balcony, she finds every gift Gu Yanxiu ever gave her—a wooden puppet, even a dried autumn leaf. Once she treasured them. Now she carries them to the yard and sets them on fire.
Gu Yanxiu returns and sees the flames. For a moment, panic flashes across his face. He asks why she's burning his gifts. Grace watches the puppet turn to ash, then says calmly: they were moldy, so she burned them. He relaxes, tells her he'll buy her new things after they register the marriage.
Grace says nothing. There won't be a registration. There won't be anything.
Cast
- Grace — Protagonist, a young woman who is neglected by her family and betrayed by her fiancé
- Lin Xia — Grace's cousin, who is favored by Grace's family and fiancé
- Gu Yanxiu — Grace's fiancé, who has fallen in love with Lin Xia
- Gu Jianhua — Gu Yanxiu's adoptive father, the only one who truly cares for Grace
- Grace's mother — Grace's mother, who favors Lin Xia and pressures Grace
- Grace's mother — Grace's father, who also favors Lin Xia and threatens to disown Grace
FAQ
Who is Grace in Burn the Past, Guard the Nation?
Grace is the protagonist, a young woman who has spent fifteen years being told she owes Lin Xia her life. She is neglected by her family, betrayed by her fiancé Gu Yanxiu, and secretly plans to change her university choice to a classified defense program at National Defense University that requires erasing her identity entirely.
Why does Grace's family favor Lin Xia over her?
Lin Xia's father drowned saving Grace, so Grace's parents brought her cousin Lin Xia home and handed her everything—the good food, the bright room, and the affection. They now expect Grace to give up her spot at Peking University to Lin Xia as well, telling her it is what she owes her.
Who is Gu Yanxiu and how does he treat Grace?
Gu Yanxiu is Grace's fiancé, but he has fallen for Lin Xia. He warns Grace to live on campus after university and not come looking for him because Lin Xia will get jealous, says they don't need to register their marriage, and gives Lin Xia a necklace that was Grace's grandmother's keepsake—the one he once gave Grace.
What is Grace secretly planning to do?
Grace quietly tells Teacher Chen she will keep studying but is switching her name from Peking University to a classified defense program at National Defense University. It requires erasing her identity entirely, and she plans to disappear from her family's lives for good.
Why does Grace burn the gifts Gu Yanxiu gave her?
After Lin Xia overhears talk of the marriage registration and is rushed to the hospital, Gu Yanxiu accuses Grace of being vicious on purpose. Grace goes home, finds every gift he ever gave her in a battered box on the balcony—a wooden puppet, even a dried autumn leaf—and sets them on fire. When he asks why, she calmly says they were moldy, so she burned them.
Who is Gu Jianhua and what is his relationship to Grace?
Gu Jianhua is Gu Yanxiu's adoptive father and the only person who has ever truly cared for Grace. When he arrives home and assumes the fireworks are celebrating Grace's university admission, Gu Yanxiu corrects him coldly. Grace stops Gu Jianhua from scolding his son with a forced smile, because she can't risk him digging into her real plans.
Is Burn the Past, Guard the Nation worth watching?
The drama centers on Grace, a young woman neglected and betrayed by her family and fiancé, who secretly changes her university choice to a secret defense program and plans to disappear from their lives. It blends revenge, betrayal, hidden identity, and family themes, making it a compelling watch for fans of those genres.
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