The overarching plot of "Meteor Garden" follows the tumultuous romance between Dong Shancai and Daoming Si, which is continually thwarted by his mother, Daoming Feng. After they first get together, Daoming Feng forces their separation by threatening the livelihood of Shancai's family and friends. This leads to a period where they are apart, with Shancai in her hometown and Si being set up with a more 'suitable' fiancée, Xiaozi. However, Xiaozi realizes Si's true love for Shancai and helps them reunite.
A major turning point occurs during a trip to London. Daoming Si gets into an altercation that results in a head injury and temporary amnesia, causing him to forget Shancai completely. During this time, he is cared for by another woman. Shancai must patiently and persistently try to make him remember their love, effectively reversing their initial dynamic where he was the pursuer.
The climax of the series sees Daoming Feng making her final, most cruel move by financially ruining Shancai's family. In an act of defiance, Daoming Si renounces his inheritance and joins Shancai in a hunger strike to protest his mother's actions. On the brink of death, Daoming Feng finally relents, moved by their unwavering commitment. The final episode transitions into a surreal wedding sequence, which is revealed to be a grand surprise orchestrated by their friends. The series concludes with them happily married, having overcome all societal and familial obstacles, with the final scenes implying that their love has not only triumphed but also healed the fractured Daoming family.