The perfection of happiness
The Perfect Happiness is the last part of the famous military screenwriter Zhongshan Shi's trilogy of happiness, following Red Beauty and Happiness Like Flowers. This TV series stars Xiaotian Yin and Huang Yi, with Zhongshan Shi, author of Happiness Like Flowers, serving as director and chief screenwriter. It continues the consistent style of Zhongshan Shi's military romance stories. Set in the 1970s in a certain Air Force division in Northern China, the story follows Dahu Chen, an adjutant in the division's military affairs department, who falls in love at first sight with Jing Li, a nurse newly assigned to the division hospital. Dahu's rival, Liangliang Liang, the company commander of the guard platoon, is also attracted to Jing. Jing's arrival turns the already competitive relationship between Dahu and Liangliang into a latent rivalry for love.
Dayu Zhu is an orphaned daughter of a martyr whose father entrusted her care to Dahu's father, Deputy Commander Chen before his death. Deputy Commander Chen tries to arrange a marriage between Dayu and Dahu, who have grown up like siblings, but Dahu's mother, Director Song of the hospital ward, strongly opposes the match. In order to stop the marriage, she begins looking for potential partners for her son, including Lisha Ma from the division's art troupe.
Jing is criticized for reading forbidden books, but Dahu shows her great care and even risks helping her find many books. Jing discovers Dahu's sincere and profound emotions and sees the unique sensitivity hidden beneath his rough exterior. This young man enters her heart, becoming a strong spiritual support in her helpless life. When Jing is sent on a mission with the medical team, she sets off with deep yet vague feelings of love for Dahu.
Dayu's unreciprocated love for Liangliang leaves her heartbroken, but she continues to care for him despite his indifference. Liangliang only wants to maintain a normal comrade relationship with her and pretends not to hear her expressions of affection. Dahu is sent down to the grassroots for training and loses contact with Jing annually. Despite receiving numerous passionate letters from Lisha, Dahu remains uninterested. He writes countless letters to Jing without any response, but he continues to express his steadfast love through letters. When the medical team finally returns to the division headquarters, Jing receives all the letters Dahu has written to her. The long-brewing love erupts like an underground flame.
Director Song forces Dahu to marry Lisha until this moment when she realizes that Dahu secretly loves Jing. Director Song and Lisha try every means to obstruct and sabotage Dahu and Jing's love, but Dahu and Jing vow to remain faithful to their love. With the power of love, they face external pressure calmly. Jing's calmness frustrates Dahu, while Director Song's interference causes Dahu much distress. Seeking solace in alcohol at Dayu's place, Dahu encounters Lisha who designs a scheme to lose her innocence to Dahu. In a desperate situation, Dahu reluctantly marries Lisha, unable to explain the reason to Jing, making him appear heartless and faithless in her eyes.
Heartbroken, Jing attempts suicide but is saved by Liangliang, who shows her great consideration. Although Jing appreciates Liangliang's help and care, she cannot reciprocate his love due to her deep affection for Dahu. Lisha wins Dahu's person but not his heart. One night after drinking, Dahu discovers Lisha is still a virgin, which makes him feel deceived and regrets marrying her. After Lisha unexpectedly miscarries, Dahu does not return to take care of her, leading Lisha to completely give up on their marriage and request a divorce.
With the army reorganization, Jing is transferred to civilian work. Liangliang is finally moved by Dayu's persistent pursuit and considers his future, deciding to marry Dayu who has special relationships with Deputy Commander Chen and Vice Division Commander Fan. After the transfer, Jing remains unmarried, with Dahu's betrayal remaining an incurable wound in her heart. After marriage, Liangliang attempts to be a good husband, but Dayu's habits add to his troubles. Despite his efforts to restrain himself, he begins to miss Jing internally. Frequent conflicts arise after their marriage. Despite Dayu's careful attention, Liangliang always finds fault with her. After the birth of their son, marital fatigue makes Liangliang even more exhausted.
After the divorce, Lisha chooses to develop in the south after being transferred. While shopping in a store, she encounters Jing by chance and attributes all her marital failures to Jing. She mocks Jing, unintentionally revealing the fake play that tricked Dahu years ago. Shocked, Jing fails the military academy entrance exam. Coincidentally, Liangliang is also transferred to civilian work and ends up working in the same unit as Jing. Unable to resist, Liangliang's old feelings resurface. Finding it unpleasant to look at Dayu at home, he proposes divorce again. After years of sacrifice, Dayu realizes she has not won the heart of the man she deeply loves. Desperate and disappointed, she agrees to the divorce. Dayu's magnanimity and tolerance move Liangliang, who abandons the idea of divorce and finally realizes that the happiness he has been pursuing is actually right beside him.
Liangliang knows about Jing's deep affection and understands Dahu's thoughts. With his encouragement, Dahu and Jing finally meet again after ten years. Thus, the love story of these young people in that era comes to an end. Their interpretation of life and love allows us to understand the romance and purity of that era.
