1970s: Transmigrated as the Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character's Contrast Counterpart

Lin Erxia, a fifteen-year-old girl living in a rural Chinese village during the 1970s, awakens in her body after a sudden fit of rage. She possesses the memories of her previous life, where she was an ordinary woman who died of cancer after a difficult existence marked by familial exploitation. Upon regaining consciousness, she realizes she has transmigrated into a novel she once read, inhabiting the body of a tragic female supporting character. In the story, this character was arrogant, academically mediocre, and destined for a miserable life due to her jealousy of her cousin, Lin Zhuer, the novel’s heroine. Lin Zhuer, born into the favored branch of the family, enjoyed privilege, education, and a loving marriage, while Lin Erxia’s branch was neglected and impoverished. The original Lin Erxia died in bitterness after failing repeatedly to enter university and losing her family.

The central conflict arises immediately when Lin Erxia learns that her family has denied her entry to high school despite her passing the entrance exam, while Lin Zhuer is allowed to attend solely because of her superior grades. Lin Erxia’s father, Lin Yongshun, is lazy and unambitious, while her mother, Zhao Lanhua, is submissive and timid. The family matriarch, Grandmother Chen, openly favors the eldest branch, led by Lin Erxia’s eldest uncle, Lin Yongfeng, who is the production team leader. The eldest aunt, Sun Xiaoyun, is manipulative and cruel, constantly belittling the third branch. When Lin Erxia’s outburst leads to a family confrontation, she refuses to accept the injustice. She argues that her family contributes more work points than the eldest branch, yet receives less support, exposing the hypocrisy of the family’s favoritism.

Lin Erxia’s defiance forces her grandfather, Lin Dayong, to intervene. He agrees to let her attend high school on the condition that she ranks in the top ten of her class by the final exam, or she must return to farm work. Additionally, she is assigned the daily duty of making breakfast and is warned against further disruptive behavior. Lin Erxia accepts these terms without hesitation, recognizing that this is her only chance to change her fate. She understands that education is the key to escaping the poverty and subjugation that define her current life. Her father, Lin Yongshun, reveals that he has discovered the family spent a significant sum to secure the eldest uncle’s son a job as a driver in the county, further proving the bias against their branch. He shares this information with Lin Erxia, forming an alliance based on mutual interest and a desire for fairness.

As Lin Erxia begins her new routine, she faces hostility from her eldest aunt, who attempts to oppress her with excessive household chores. Lin Erxia retaliates by forcing Lin Zhuer, the pampered cousin, to perform the same chores, such as washing vegetables and cooking. This act shocks the family and disrupts the established hierarchy, as Lin Zhuer, who has never worked a day in her life, is forced to confront manual labor. Lin Erxia’s actions demonstrate her determination to level the playing field and her refusal to be a victim. She continues to work in the fields alongside her peers, earning work points and maintaining her health, while also preparing for her studies. Her relationship with her younger siblings improves, as they witness her strength and begin to respect her. The story follows her daily struggles and small victories as she navigates the complex family dynamics and prepares for the challenges of high school.

The narrative highlights the stark contrast between Lin Erxia’s new resolve and the original character’s destructive jealousy. Instead of sabotaging Lin Zhuer, Lin Erxia focuses on her own improvement and challenges the family’s unfair treatment. She uses her knowledge of the novel’s plot to anticipate future events and protect herself and her family from further exploitation. The story sets the stage for her academic journey and her eventual rise above her circumstances, driven by her desire for independence and self-determination. Lin Erxia’s transformation from a resentful girl to a strategic and resilient young woman marks the beginning of her fight for a better future, challenging the predetermined tragic fate assigned to her in the novel.