1990s: I Woke Up and Had Three Children With My Nemesis

In 1985, a group of retired soldiers, including Zhou Fuguang and Jiang Canran, returned to Jiangcheng Train Station. Zhou Fuguang, a tall and composed man, intervened to stop an elderly trafficker from selling a mentally impaired young woman named Qin Baozhu for two hundred yuan. Zhou Fuguang recognized Qin Baozhu immediately, revealing that he had saved her six years prior. He took her home, where she lived with him and their three children: Zhou Jingrui, a five-year-old son; Zhou Sheng, a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter; and Zhou Yuqing, an infant. However, Qin Baozhu had suffered amnesia and a mental regression due to a childhood accident involving a toothache and subsequent trauma. She had fallen into a river while buying candy and had been unconscious for days. Upon waking, she retained only her memories from age eighteen and did not recognize her husband or children, believing herself to be a stranger in their home.

Qin Baozhu, originally from a wealthy family in Hucheng, was confused and distressed by her situation. She remembered running away from home after a fight and falling out of a train window, with no memory of the intervening six years. Zhou Fuguang informed her that she had given birth to three children and that this was her home. Despite her initial resistance and fear, the children, particularly Zhou Jingrui, clung to her. Zhou Jingrui, innocent and loving, offered her his saved candy to make amends for her not recognizing him. Qin Baozhu, though struggling to accept her new reality, found herself drawn to the children's affection. She spent time with Zhou Jingrui, building a snowman with him, which showed a glimpse of her previous simple-minded personality resurfacing in her behavior, even as her mind was clear.

The household dynamics were complex. Aunt Feng, the housekeeper, cared for the children and Qin Baozhu, noting that Zhou Fuguang had always treated Qin Baozhu with immense patience and indulgence despite her condition. Zhou Fuguang, a successful entrepreneur running chicken and pig farms, provided a luxurious life for Qin Baozhu, including expensive clothing and appliances. However, Qin Baozhu felt out of place and desired to return to her parents in Hucheng. She attempted to gather money to escape, asking Zhou Fuguang for pocket money, which he reluctantly provided in small amounts. She spent her time exploring the town, interacting with neighbors, and trying to understand her past.

Conflict arose with Liang Xiyue, a local teacher who harbored feelings for Zhou Fuguang. Liang Xiyue viewed Qin Baozhu as an obstacle and was resentful of Zhou Fuguang's devotion to her. She spread subtle negativity about Qin Baozhu's behavior, suggesting she was spoiled and difficult. Despite this, Qin Baozhu began to adjust to her life, showing moments of warmth and connection with her children. Zhou Fuguang remained distant but caring, ensuring her needs were met while maintaining a stoic exterior. The story highlights the tension between Qin Baozhu's desire for her former life and the growing bonds she forms with her family, set against the backdrop of rural China in the mid-1980s.

As Qin Baozhu spent more time with her family, she started to recall fragments of her past with Zhou Fuguang. She noticed his kindness, such as when he washed her feet after they played in the snow, a gesture that highlighted his deep care for her despite her mental state. These moments created internal conflict for Qin Baozhu, who felt a strange sense of guilt and familiarity around him. She struggled with the reality that she had been married to him and had children, events she had no memory of. The narrative explores her journey of rediscovery, as she navigates her amnesia, the affection of her children, and the enigmatic presence of her husband, all while grappling with the desire to return to her wealthy family in the city.

The story continues to develop as Qin Baozhu interacts more with the community and her family. She visits the morning market with Aunt Feng, where she experiences simple pleasures like street food, contrasting with her previous pampered life. Her interactions reveal her true personality, which, despite the amnesia, still retains elements of her spoiled and sweet-toothed nature. Zhou Fuguang's steadfast support and the children's love for her begin to chip away at her resistance. The narrative sets the stage for Qin Baozhu to eventually recover her memories and reconcile with her past, while also forming new connections in her present life. The central theme revolves around identity, memory, and the enduring power of family bonds, even in the face of significant personal loss and confusion.