Back to 1970: Starting with Separating the Family

Zhao Yi, a man who had lived a life of self-sacrifice and hardship, finds himself reborn in his youth, back to the day he married Zhang Jing in a rural commune during the late 1960s. In his previous life, Zhao Yi had been the family workhorse, supporting his parents and three younger siblings through school while he and Zhang Jing toiled in dangerous coal mines. His generosity was met with ingratitude; when Zhang Jing fell ill and needed money for treatment, his siblings refused to help, leading to her death. Haunted by these memories, Zhao Yi wakes up to find his mother, Li Daju, criticizing Zhang Jing for using too much cooking oil. Instead of enduring the abuse as he did before, Zhao Yi firmly demands a family separation, insisting that he and Zhang Jing live independently in his grandfather’s dilapidated old house. He offers a monthly grain allowance for his parents’ support but refuses to fund his siblings’ education or lifestyle any longer.

The decision shocks the village. Li Daju and the neighbors gossip, blaming Zhang Jing for corrupting their once-obedient eldest son. However, Zhao Yi remains resolute, recognizing that only by separating can he protect his wife and build a stable life. With the help of Brigade Leader Li Dequan, the household division is formalized. Zhao Yi and Zhang Jing move into the old house, which lacks basic amenities like a proper roof or cooking utensils. Despite the poverty, Zhao Yi’s attitude has shifted dramatically. He is no longer the passive victim of circumstance but a proactive strategist determined to improve their fortunes. He refuses to take up dangerous and exhausting work at the local forest farm, choosing instead to rely on his knowledge of the land and his survival skills.

Zhao Yi begins to utilize his understanding of the local environment to secure food and income. He constructs fish traps from bamboo and sets them in the nearby river, providing the couple with a steady supply of protein. He also ventures into the mountains to hunt wild game and gather wild vegetables, selling his surplus at the black market in the city. These activities allow him to earn cash and acquire essential goods like lard, seasonings, and an iron pot, significantly improving their quality of life. His actions draw the attention of Su Hong, an Educated Youth assigned to the village who is known for her clumsiness and inability to perform manual labor. Su Hong, who has connections within the commune’s cowshed, recognizes Zhao Yi’s resourcefulness and begins buying fish from him at a premium, establishing a covert relationship that benefits both parties.

As Zhao Yi’s new life takes shape, he navigates the complex social dynamics of the commune. He maintains a polite but distant relationship with his parents, refusing to be exploited while still fulfilling his basic filial duties. He also strengthens his bond with Zhang Jing, treating her with respect and care, which contrasts sharply with the neglect she suffered in his previous life. Meanwhile, his father-in-law, Zhang Fusheng, and his brothers-in-law offer support, bringing grain and helping with repairs to the old house. Zhao Yi plans to expand his operations, intending to take his brothers-in-law into the mountains to hunt and gather resources, aiming to generate a sustainable income that will allow them to thrive despite the limitations of their rural existence. The story follows Zhao Yi’s journey from a victim of familial obligation to a self-reliant provider, as he leverages his past-life experiences to secure a better future for himself and his wife.