He Defied Fate, But Lost His Father

In short: 10 episodes, in English, original audio — episodes 1–10 play right here.

This drama centers on the deep love between a father and son, and the eternal regret of wanting to care for your parents — only when it's already too late. It follows Zhao Jiadi, a poor student, through ten turbulent years of his life. In 2016, thirty days before the college entrance exam, Zhao Jiadi clashes with Zhao Wenhui, the son of the corrupt village chief. The fight starts over a letter from his childhood sweetheart, Shen Youchu. Zhao Wenhui publicly insults Zhao Jiadi's father, Zhao Aiguo, calling him a useless nobody. Enraged, Zhao Jiadi throws the first punch. The school decides to expel him. To save his son's chance at the exam, the proud Zhao Aiguo swallows all his pride. He begs the school and Zhao Wenhui's family for mercy — even kneeling in public to apologize on his son's behalf. But young and rebellious, Zhao Jiadi doesn't understand his father's sacrifice. He feels only shame. After a fierce argument, he tears up his merit certificates and runs away from home, vowing never to return until he's made something of himself. Later, Zhao Wenhui crashes his motorcycle while trying to hit Zhao Jiadi and breaks his own leg.

He conspires with his father Zhao Chuanzhi and militia captain Li Maotai to frame Zhao Jiadi. To protect his son, Zhao Aiguo lets Zhao Wenhui shatter both his legs, leaving him permanently disabled. The villains also steal all the money Zhao Jiadi sends home over the next decade. For ten long years, the elderly couple endures bullying and scorn from the entire village. During those ten years away, Zhao Jiadi finally wakes up. Remembering his father's lesson that education changes fate, he devotes himself to top-secret national military research. For nine years, he works in the shadows, developing the "Luanfeng" space-air combat platform. He becomes the nation's top scientific expert. In recognition of his contributions, the state founds the Shengtian Global Group in his name. Within a single year, Zhao Jiadi leads it to become a world-leading tech corporation — and he becomes the richest man in Daxia. When the ten-year confidentiality period ends, Zhao Jiadi heads home. He finally understands his father's sacrifices. He longs to honor his parents and make up for ten years of absence.