After Traveling Back to the ’70s She Captivates the Stoic Young Army Officer

Ruan Liuzheng, a 21st-century doctor who died from an incurable illness, transmigrates into the body of an orphan in 1973 China. She discovers she has already lived in this era for five years but lost her memory during that time. The original host, also named Ruan Liuzheng, was raised by the Shen family after her father died saving Shen Aiguo. She faces constant abuse from Shen Rongrong, the biological daughter who covets her job and status. Ruan Liuzheng learns she is bound by a mission to win over a man named Xie Jinghuai within 59 days, or she will die and repeat her previous life's suffering. Refusing to wait for death, she decides to survive by any means necessary, prioritizing life over morality.

After recovering her memory, Ruan Liuzheng confronts Shen Rongrong, who is physically attacking her. She fights back, injuring Shen Rongrong and forcing her to retreat. Ruan Liuzheng then sells her factory job to a colleague and registers to go down to the countryside in Heilongjiang Province. She cleverly manipulates the registration process to ensure Shen Rongrong is assigned to the same commune, Jinshan Commune, as a form of revenge. Before leaving, she poisons Shen Rongrong with laxatives and skin-irritating substances. She also writes a breakup letter to Shen Que, the man she had a secret relationship with, to sever ties and avoid further complications.

During the train journey to the north, Ruan Liuzheng encounters Xie Jinghuai. She witnesses him helping a pregnant woman, Chen Yuanxiang, who goes into labor. Using her medical skills, Ruan Liuzheng delivers the baby safely on the train. Xie Jinghuai is initially cold and distant, but he begins to notice her competence and beauty. Ruan Liuzheng strategically uses her vulnerability and gratitude to build a connection with him, knowing he is her mission target. She also encounters Song Jianjun, a man who falsely claims she is his partner, causing a misunderstanding that Xie Jinghuai intervenes to resolve.

Upon arriving at Zhengyang Production Brigade, Ruan Liuzheng faces hostility from other educated youths, particularly Chen Wenjuan, who is jealous of her. Ruan Liuzheng outsmarts Chen Wenjuan by using a snake to scare her during firewood gathering. She then pretends to be injured and rejected by villagers when trying to find a host family for meals. Xie Jinghuai offers her a place to cook at his home, which she accepts. This arrangement allows her to live closer to her target while maintaining a facade of innocence and dependence.

Ruan Liuzheng continues to navigate the complex social dynamics of the commune. She uses her medical knowledge to gain favor with villagers and her spatial ability to improve her living conditions, such as storing food and replacing coarse grains with refined ones. She also deals with Shen Rongrong, who arrives at the commune and is horrified by her disfigured face due to Ruan Liuzheng's earlier poisoning. The story follows Ruan Liuzheng's calculated efforts to win Xie Jinghuai's affection while protecting herself from enemies and fulfilling her mission to survive.