The Aristocratic Young Lady Who Transmigrated to the 1970s

Shen Yao, the pampered daughter of a Marquis in her previous life, finds herself transmigrated into the body of a seventeen-year-old girl with the same name in 1970s rural China. The original Shen Yao suffered a head injury after falling down a mountain, leaving her with the mental capacity of a young child. Shen Yao wakes up in a dilapidated mud-brick house, starving and confused, realizing she must survive in a world of extreme poverty where meat is a rare luxury. Her new parents, Wang Yunzhi and Shen Guozhong, are loving but poor, and her younger brother Shen Gang is fiercely protective of her. Shen Yao decides to maintain the facade of being simple-minded to avoid upsetting her family, while secretly planning to improve her situation and potentially find a way back to her own time.

The Eighth Production Team in Shenjia Village is home to several educated youths sent from the cities. Among them are He Shi and Xu Xiangdong, who recently arrived from Beijing, and Song Jincheng, who has been there longer. The original Shen Yao had developed an innocent crush on He Shi, even sneaking into his room one night, an act he misinterpreted as a scheme to trap him into marriage. Upon learning she is mentally impaired, He Shi feels disgust and warns her to stay away. However, the transmigrated Shen Yao has no interest in him and instead focuses on understanding her new environment. She attends literacy classes taught by Song Jincheng, discovering that the simplified Chinese characters are similar enough to what she knows to be manageable. She also observes the social dynamics among the educated youths, noting their better clothing and food compared to the villagers.

Shen Yao begins to adapt by performing household chores, such as gathering pig fodder and feeding the pigs, which surprises her family and neighbors. Her brother Shen Gang notices her increased capability and maturity, hoping her condition is improving. Meanwhile, He Shi becomes increasingly curious about Shen Yao after witnessing her interact with Song Jincheng. He feels a strange sense of annoyance when she ignores him but pays attention to others. Their paths cross again when He Shi confronts Shen Yao on a secluded path, pinching her chin and warning her about the dangers of her naivety. Shen Yao retorts with a kick, revealing her true spirit beneath the foolish exterior. He Shi is left intrigued and confused by her unexpected response.

As Shen Yao continues to navigate her new life, she seeks ways to gain knowledge about the outside world. She attends gatherings at the educated youth compound, listening to stories and conversations to learn about urban life. She observes the interactions between the educated youths and the villagers, noting the tensions and alliances. Her family continues to dote on her, unaware of her true intelligence. Shen Yao resolves to use her wits to secure a better future for herself and her family, while keeping her true identity hidden. The story sets the stage for her gradual integration into rural society and her evolving relationship with He Shi, who begins to see her in a new light.