Post-Apocalyptic Rebirth: Back to the Late 70s

Wu Xiaoxiao, a powerful ability user in a post-apocalyptic world, dies after sacrificing herself to destroy a Zombie King. She awakens in the body of a young woman with the same name in 1970s rural China. The original Wu Xiaoxiao had drowned after falling into a river while trying to retrieve a borrowed math notebook from Wu Ningfang, the village chief’s daughter. Wu Ningfang, jealous of the original owner’s intelligence and beauty, had pushed her into the water and fled without calling for help. The protagonist, retaining her memories and wood-based abilities, decides to navigate this peaceful but politically complex era while seeking justice and improving her family’s dire financial situation.

Wu Xiaoxiao’s family is impoverished following the death of her father, a soldier who sacrificed himself two years prior. Her mother, Zhang Fang, is a gentle but traditional woman who believes education is futile for a girl and prioritizes marriage prospects over academic achievement. The household struggles to earn sufficient work points from the commune to secure enough food. Wu Xiaoxiao realizes that to survive and thrive, she must contribute labor and secure a stable income. She confronts the Wu family, demanding the return of the notebook and exposing Wu Ningfang’s negligence, though the lack of witnesses prevents immediate punishment. The Wu family offers a basket of eggs as a superficial apology, which Wu Xiaoxiao accepts strategically while planning future retribution.

Determined to change her fate, Wu Xiaoxiao decides to work in the fields to earn labor points. Her mother is initially reluctant, fearing for her daughter’s health and reputation, but neighbors and the village captain encourage the decision. Captain Huang, aware of her father’s status as a martyr, agrees to assign her full work points despite her gender. Wu Xiaoxiao begins working alongside other villagers, including her aunt Ning Mei and cousin Wu Ningfang, who view her ambition with hostility and suspicion. Ning Mei attempts to sabotage Wu Xiaoxiao by assigning her to easy tasks and gossiping about her character, but Wu Xiaoxiao uses her supernatural abilities to complete weeding tasks at an impossible speed, outperforming seasoned laborers.

As she works, Wu Xiaoxiao discovers that her wood-based abilities function differently in this era. She can accelerate plant growth and sense the health of crops, allowing her to cultivate a private vegetable plot that yields abundant harvests. This secret advantage enables her to improve her family’s diet and create surplus food to trade or gift, strengthening her social standing. She also learns about the educated youths sent to the village for re-education, including Gu Zhenghong, who lent the original owner the notebook. Gu Zhenghong is polite and respectful, distinguishing him from the other villagers, and Wu Xiaoxiao maintains a professional distance while leveraging his resources for knowledge.

The narrative shifts focus to Wu Xiaoxiao’s integration into the village’s political and social structure. She visits the brigade office to understand local policies and gather information about potential opportunities, such as machinery repair work. Her literacy and mathematical skills, honed during her previous life, make her a valuable asset to the commune. She navigates the complex web of village relationships, balancing kindness toward allies like Dr. Chen and Aunt Dong with calculated resistance against the antagonistic Wu family. The story establishes her long-term goal of using her abilities and knowledge to secure her family’s future while preparing for the eventual restoration of the college entrance exam, which she knows is on the horizon.

Wu Xiaoxiao’s actions begin to disrupt the established hierarchy. Her efficiency in the fields draws attention and envy, particularly from Wu Ningfang, who feels overshadowed by her cousin’s sudden prominence. The protagonist remains focused on her objectives, using her abilities to enhance agricultural output and her social acumen to build alliances. She rejects the traditional path of early marriage, instead prioritizing education and economic independence. The story concludes with Wu Xiaoxiao firmly established in her new role, leveraging her unique position to protect her mother and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future in a time of transition.