The ’80s: The Cold-Faced Tough Guy Is Completely Smitten by the Creamy-Beauty

Li Yingtang, a modern woman, finds herself inexplicably transported back to December 1984 in rural China. She awakens in the arms of Qin Xian, a twenty-three-year-old village doctor, in front of a gathered crowd that accuses them of infidelity. The scene was staged by Hu Ping and her daughter Cheng Fang, who had drugged Qin Xian and attempted to frame him. Li Yingtang, realizing she has no money, identity, or way home, quickly adapts to her dire situation. She claims to be Qin Xian’s fiancée, a lie that sticks because Qin Xian remains silent, seemingly indifferent to the villagers' gossip. Despite the cold and her lack of survival skills, Li Yingtang’s modern knowledge and bold personality allow her to navigate the hostile environment.

Qin Xian, a graduate of Yanjing University transferred to the countryside, is initially wary of this strange woman who appeared out of nowhere. However, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. While he maintains a cold exterior, he provides her with clothes, shoes, and shelter. Li Yingtang, determined to survive and perhaps find a way back to her own time, decides to integrate herself into his life. She learns that Qin Xian is an orphan with no family to verify her claims, which gives her a temporary advantage. She begins to assert her role as his wife, using the social norms of the 1980s to her benefit. When Cheng Fang returns, feigning injury from her fall into the ditch, Li Yingtang exposes the girl’s deceit, further solidifying her position and earning Qin Xian’s reluctant respect.

Recognizing the economic hardships of the era, Li Yingtang takes initiative to generate income. She discovers wild persimmons and hawthorns in the mountains and decides to sell them at the local market. Her business acumen, honed in the modern era, proves effective. She negotiates prices, bundles goods, and even helps a neighboring vendor, quickly earning enough money to buy warm clothing and supplies. Qin Xian, though skeptical of her methods, assists her in transporting goods and gradually warms to her energy and determination. Their relationship shifts from one of suspicion to a partnership, with Li Yingtang taking on the role of provider while Qin Xian manages their domestic life.

Li Yingtang’s ambitions extend beyond mere survival. She travels to the city to investigate her past and find a way back, but also to establish a legitimate identity. She visits her former workplace and the hospital where Qin Xian once worked, gathering information. She learns that Qin Xian was a talented doctor who was unfairly transferred to the countryside. During her trip, she also engages in the antique market, using her knowledge of jade to buy low and sell high, significantly increasing their capital. She purchases a wristwatch for Qin Xian, a gesture that deepens their bond, though she remains guarded about her true origins.

As they return to the village, Li Yingtang faces new challenges. She encounters hostility from villagers like Aunt Liu, who are suspicious of her sudden appearance and wealth. Meanwhile, Cheng Fang continues to scheme against her, attempting to sabotage Li Yingtang’s reputation. Li Yingtang outsmarts these plots, using her wits to turn the tables on her enemies. She begins to plan larger business ventures, including making candied hawthorns and dairy products, aiming to become financially independent. Her interactions with Qin Xian become more intimate, with both characters acknowledging their growing feelings for each other, even as they navigate the complexities of their unusual relationship in a time that is not their own.