Rebirth in the '80s: The Old Lady Abandoned Her Son and Daughter

Wu Zhiqiu, known as Old Madam Wu, is a seventy-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the physician stating that surgery would suffice and her life expectancy would not be affected, she realizes her family dynamics are dire. Her sons and daughters, gathered outside in the snow, argue heatedly over who should pay for her two-hundred-thousand-yuan surgery. The eldest son, Li Xingguo, who received the bulk of the family property and was sent abroad, refuses to pay, claiming it was his father's duty. The youngest son, Li Xing'an, who received nothing, also refuses, arguing he has no obligation. The eldest daughter, Li Fenglan, is too poor to contribute, while the youngest daughter, Li Fengchun, coldly states she will not pay. Wu Zhiqiu, holding the diagnosis, feels a bitter resignation. She had foolishly handed over all family property early, hoping for reciprocity, but found none. That night, alone and heartbroken, she passes away in her rented home.

Wu Zhiqiu opens her eyes to find herself alive, sitting in her living room with her family. She realizes she has been reborn to a time before she sold her job to fund her eldest son's overseas studies. The room is filled with her children's demands: her eldest son and daughter-in-law, Wang Yue, are pressuring her to sell her work to raise money for Li Xingguo's trip abroad. Her third son demands she secure a job for his future wife, He Meina. In her previous life, Wu Zhiqiu had sacrificed everything for them, only to be abandoned in her final days. Now, with a cold heart and clear mind, she refuses. She tells her third son that if he cannot marry without her job, he should remain single. She shocks everyone by declaring she will not support them anymore and that they must support themselves.

The eldest son and daughter-in-law are furious, but Wu Zhiqiu remains steadfast. She brings up past grievances, reminding the family that Li Xingguo promised to send half his salary home after graduation but never did. She exposes Wang Yue's secret of sending her own salary to her parents. The argument escalates, and Wang Yue insults Wu Zhiqiu, calling her an old hag. The second daughter-in-law, Chunni, who has always been treated poorly by Wu Zhiqiu in the past life, steps in and physically fights Wang Yue. The neighbors gather, and Wu Zhiqiu uses the opportunity to publicly shame the eldest couple, revealing their selfishness and lack of filial piety. Under pressure from the community director and neighbors, Li Xingguo signs an agreement to send half his salary to the family.

Wu Zhiqiu then demands the return of the eight-hundred-yuan bride price she gave for Wang Yue, citing the insult and the wife's continued financial support of her natal family. Li Xingguo, desperate to avoid further scandal at his workplace, hands over his bankbook, which contains over a thousand yuan. Wu Zhiqiu withdraws the money and uses it to pay off family debts and buy bicycles for herself and her husband, Li Mancang. She also decides to stop Li Mancang from working at the freight station, intending to start a business. She establishes new rules in the household: everyone must do their own chores, and the children must contribute financially. She slaps her youngest daughter, Li Fengchun, when she complains about doing housework, setting a firm boundary. The family is stunned by her transformation from a submissive, self-sacrificing mother to a strict, self-interested woman. Wu Zhiqiu resolves to live for herself, using her knowledge of the future to build wealth and secure her own comfort, while holding her children accountable for their past entitlements.