Ended Up with My Archenemy After Transmigrating (1970s)

Meng Li, a seventeen-year-old high school student in modern times, dies after saving a child from drowning and awakens in the body of a girl with the same name in Beijing, 1976. The original Meng Li was a fierce, rebellious gang leader known as "Third Master," raised as a boy by her mother Gu Huijuan after her father was sent for re-education. Meng Li inherits not only the body but also the complex memories and social standing of the original owner. She finds herself in a hostile environment, living with her cold mother, stepfather Cheng Chunliang, and young stepsister Tang Yuan'er in a cramped courtyard house where she is treated as an unwelcome burden.

Struggling to adapt to her new identity, Meng Li must navigate the harsh social dynamics of 1970s Beijing while concealing her true personality. The original Meng Li was known for her toughness and frequent fights, particularly against her sworn enemy, Ji Chen, a handsome and elite youth from a government compound. Their rivalry is intense and deeply entrenched, stemming from their different social backgrounds and opposing factions. After a severe injury leaves Meng Li in a coma, she wakes up to find her body weak and her reputation in jeopardy. She spends days practicing her demeanor in front of a mirror, attempting to mimic the original's aggressive and defiant attitude to avoid suspicion from her subordinates.

Eventually, Meng Li ventures out with her loyal followers, including Zhuo Xi, Wei Dong, and others, to the Shichahai Ice Rink. There, she encounters Ji Chen, who is skating with his own group. A tense confrontation ensues when Meng Li tries to avoid a fight, but Ji Chen intercepts her. In a moment of panic, Meng Li instinctively calls out "Chen gege" in a soft, feminine voice, causing Ji Chen to hesitate. This unexpected display of vulnerability confuses both parties; Ji Chen is unsettled by the shift in Meng Li's behavior, while Meng Li is terrified of the consequences of her slip-up. The encounter ends without a physical fight, but the underlying tension remains palpable.

Back at the Cheng family home, Meng Li faces continued neglect and hostility from her mother, who restricts her access to basic comforts like refined flour and skincare products. Despite these hardships, Meng Li resolves to survive and improve her situation. She plans to focus on her studies, aiming to take the college entrance examination when it is restored, seeing education as her only way out of the difficult life she now inhabits. She also decides to avoid further conflicts with Ji Chen, recognizing that her current physical condition and lack of fighting skills make such encounters too risky.

As the story progresses, Meng Li begins to adjust to her new reality, balancing the expectations of her gang with her personal desire for a normal life. The dynamic between her and Ji Chen shifts subtly, with Ji Chen becoming increasingly curious about the changes in Meng Li's behavior. Meanwhile, Meng Li's relationship with her family remains strained, highlighting the challenges she faces in finding acceptance and belonging in this unfamiliar world. The narrative explores themes of identity, survival, and the impact of historical context on individual lives, as Meng Li navigates the complexities of her new existence in 1970s Beijing.