80s Daily Life of a Trouble-making Eldest Daughter-in-law Raising Her Child

Zhang Yun'an, a talented young woman from a prestigious Republican-era scholarly family, transmigrates into the body of a woman bearing her name in a Beijing military compound in 1989. The original host, known as the "Scourge of the Compound," was a disruptive and greedy wife of Lin Shaoxun, a decorated military officer from an illustrious family. The original Zhang Yun'an died after choking on a chicken-leg-shaped bread she had snatched from a child, an act that also caused her to fall and hit her head. Upon awakening, the new Zhang Yun'an quickly assesses her situation. She is currently staying at her maiden home with her young son, Lin Siyi, having been encouraged by her manipulative father, Zhang Tianliang, to initiate a divorce. Her father's true motive is to use her as a pawn to extract wealth from the Lin family and eventually marry her off to a wealthy but morally questionable man named Xu Daming.

Unlike the original host, the transmigrated Zhang Yun'an possesses dignity, intelligence, and a strong sense of self. She decides to honor the original host's wish for a divorce but refuses to be a puppet for her corrupt family. She returns to the military compound, not to beg for forgiveness or cling to her husband, but to settle her affairs. She entrusts her son, Lin Siyi, to her mother-in-law, Liang Fengyi, and returns alimony money she had previously taken, declaring that the Lin family has already repaid the life-saving debt she once owed them. Her behavior confuses and unsettles her relatives and neighbors, who are accustomed to her hysterical and demanding nature. Liang Fengyi, initially suspicious, observes Zhang Yun'an's genuine change and offers her protection from the Zhang family's schemes, promising that Zhang Yun'an will always be respected as Lin Siyi's mother.

With no money and a need to survive, Zhang Yun'an turns to her greatest talent: painting and calligraphy. In her previous life, she was renowned for her "Beauty Portraits," which blended Western and Chinese techniques, though she was often criticized for commercializing her art. She also possessed exceptional skill in antiques and calligraphy. Starting with calligraphy, she sets up a small stall in an area frequented by antique dealers. When she is targeted by a scammer who accuses her of breaking a fake antique, she uses her knowledge to expose the vendor's fraud, turning the tables and acquiring a valuable piece of raw lapis lazuli as compensation. This incident marks her first step toward financial independence.

Zhang Yun'an faces the challenge of earning a living in a conservative era where her artistic style might not be immediately accepted. She begins selling Guanyin paintings, which attract buyers with their spiritual depth and golden hues. Her sales provide just enough income for basic needs, but she remains cautious about her future. Meanwhile, she encounters Lin Siyi being bullied by neighborhood children. Defending her son with fierce protectiveness, she scares off the bullies and their mothers, displaying a maternal side that surprises those who knew her only as a neglectful mother. This moment highlights her internal conflict: she is not Lin Siyi's biological mother in spirit, yet she cannot ignore his suffering.

The story follows Zhang Yun'an as she navigates her new life, determined to earn her own way and eventually return to her hometown of Jinling to reconnect with her roots and the history of her family. She must balance her desire for independence with the lingering ties to the Lin family, particularly her son. As Lin Shaoxun remains away on duty, the divorce proceedings are delayed, leaving Zhang Yun'an in a state of limbo. She continues to work on her art, gaining a small but growing reputation, while keeping her distance from her manipulative father and the Zhang family's schemes. Her journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, as she seeks to live authentically in a new era, free from the control of others and the shadows of her past.