The Buried Fairy Tale (灰姑娘丢掉了她的水晶鞋)

This short drama subverts the classic fairy tale by depicting a modern "Cinderella's" realization that her prince is actually a nightmare. Song Ning, a top Tsinghua graduate from a small town, thought she had married her Prince Charming, Huo Qinian. However, her life in the wealthy Huo family becomes a living hell—her mother-in-law takes her child, her husband is a serial cheater, and she is pushed down the stairs, losing her third child. With her mother also passing away from lack of funds, Song Ning finally wakes up, divorces her husband, and rises from the ashes. Years later, her remorseful ex-husband comes crawling back, but she has long since buried her fairy tale and found a new, stronger self.

As a short-form drama, the episode count and exact arc divisions are not clearly documented in available sources. The general progression is:

• Act 1: The Fairy Tale Trap & Unbearable Suffering: Song Ning enters a seemingly perfect marriage, but soon endures relentless abuse from her mother-in-law and her husband's infidelity. She loses her third child in a fall and her mother dies due to lack of funds for treatment.
• Act 2: Awakening & Leaving: Song Ning finally gains the clarity to divorce Huo Qinian and walk away from the oppressive family, determined to rebuild her life.
• Act 3: Rebirth & Rising from the Ashes: She focuses on her career and personal growth, completely transforming herself and achieving success on her own terms.
• Act 4: The Ex-Husband's Return & Her Final Choice: Years later, Huo Qinian, filled with regret, attempts to win her back, but Song Ning is no longer the woman she once was. She has become completely independent and self-reliant.