Bringing Farm Life to the '80s: Hated Stepmom Becomes Everyone's Favorite

Xu Sangluo, a successful farmhouse owner in her previous life, dies and is reborn into her younger self at the age of eighteen. She finds herself in the body of Zhao Xiaoman, a girl who was kidnapped by human traffickers after her admission notice to Peking University was stolen by her stepsister, Xie Huai. Her stepmother, Liu Xiuhui, orchestrated the kidnapping to prevent Zhao Xiaoman from attending university. In her past life, Zhao Xiaoman was rescued by Qin Zhiyi, a recently discharged soldier, but she responded with coldness and resentment, treating the Qin family with indifference. This neglect led to tragic consequences, including the death of Qin Zhiyi’s adopted son, Qin Yan, who jumped into a river out of fear of being replaced. Xu Sangluo, now aware of these future regrets, resolves to change her fate and make amends to the Qin family.

Upon waking in the dilapidated Qin family courtyard, Xu Sangluo discovers that Qin’s mother has fallen and injured her leg. The family is impoverished, with no money for proper medical treatment. Xu Sangluo, who retains a mystical space from her previous life that contains a fully equipped farmhouse, uses ingredients from her space to prepare a meal of dumplings for the family. The delicious food softens the hearts of the Qin family members, particularly the children, who had previously feared her. Qin Zhiyi, initially distant and stern, begins to see a different side of her as she actively participates in household chores and cares for his mother. Xu Sangluo also learns that she was switched at birth with Xie Huai and is actually the daughter of the wealthy Xu family, whose grandfather had been betrayed by her adoptive father, Xie Feng.

Determined to secure her future and punish those who wronged her, Xu Sangluo convinces Qin Zhiyi to accompany her back to the city to confront her adoptive family. She threatens to expose Xie Huai’s identity fraud and Xie Feng’s past crimes unless they pay her hush money. Liu Xiuhui, terrified of scandal, hands over two thousand yuan. Xu Sangluo also retrieves her grandfather’s gifts, including jewelry and cash, which were stolen by Xie Huai. With the money, she purchases food, clothing, and exchange coupons, returning to the Qin family to provide for them. She formally introduces herself as Xu Sangluo and apologizes to the Qin siblings for her previous behavior, giving them gifts to seal her reconciliation.

The Qin family, previously on the brink of collapse, begins to stabilize under Xu Sangluo’s care. She uses her space to cook elaborate meals that improve the family’s health and morale. Qin’s mother, touched by Xu Sangluo’s kindness, encourages her son to accept her presence. Qin Zhiyi, though still reserved, begins to appreciate Xu Sangluo’s resilience and intelligence. Meanwhile, Xu Sangluo plans to start a business using her space’s resources, aiming to regain her family’s wealth and exact revenge on Xie Feng and Liu Xiuhui for the suffering they caused her mother and herself. The story follows her efforts to navigate the complex dynamics of the Qin family while plotting her return to power, all while preventing the tragedies that befell them in her previous life.

As Xu Sangluo integrates into the Qin family, she faces challenges from villagers’ gossip and the lingering trauma of her past. She maintains a careful balance between her new identity and her hidden capabilities. The relationship between her and Qin Zhiyi evolves from awkward coexistence to mutual respect and growing affection. Qin Zhiyi’s children, once distant, become attached to Xu Sangluo, finding in her the maternal figure they lacked. Xu Sangluo’s ultimate goal is to restore her true identity, reclaim her inheritance, and ensure the Qin family’s happiness, using her knowledge of the future and her mystical space to overcome obstacles. The narrative sets the stage for her rise from a displaced girl to a powerful matriarch, correcting the mistakes of her past life.