The Beauty Who Went Down to the Countryside in the 1970s Became the Beloved of Her Childhood Sweetheart in the Courtyard

Song Shishi lived a privileged life in a Beijing military compound as the daughter of Colonel Song Zhenhua. In the autumn of 1980, her life collapsed when her mother died of a heart attack, allegedly triggered by Song Shishi’s stubborn refusal to break up with her boyfriend, An Jinsheng. At the funeral, Song Shishi begged her father to let her say goodbye to her mother, but he refused unless she publicly cut ties with An Jinsheng. An Jinsheng appeared and, under pressure, pretended to slap Song Shishi and denounce her to please Colonel Song. However, once outside, An Jinsheng revealed his true nature. He admitted that their entire relationship had been a performance to exploit Song Shishi’s family connections for career advancement. He mocked her, kicked her, and left her for another woman, revealing that he never loved her. Devastated and humiliated, Song Shishi chased after him, but was pushed aside and struck by a car, dying in agony.

Song Shishi opened her eyes to find herself alive in 1974, five years in the past. She was sitting on the floor of her home, having just attempted suicide by jumping into a river because her father had forced her to become an educated youth in the countryside. Her mother, Zheng Peilan, was alive and well, rushing to comfort her. Song Shishi realized she had been reborn. In her previous life, she had resisted this order, leading to her suicide attempt and a strained relationship with her parents. This time, she immediately agreed to go, shocking her mother. She also learned that Meng Xunzhou, a childhood friend and her betrothed, had saved her from the river. Meng Xunzhou was a soldier who had returned specifically to see her off. Song Shishi used this opportunity to ask him to help her convince her mother to undergo a medical checkup, suspecting her mother’s heart condition based on her past life’s tragedy. Meng Xunzhou agreed, and Zheng Peilan was diagnosed with a heart issue, allowing Song Shishi to begin treatment early.

Song Shishi departed for Huaqing Brigade with Meng Xunzhou, who accompanied her to the train station and later to the village. Upon arrival, she encountered An Jinsheng, who was also assigned to the same brigade. In her previous life, she had been infatuated with him, but now she treated him with cold indifference. An Jinsheng, used to her compliance, was confused by her behavior. He attempted to reconnect, but Song Shishi firmly rejected him, seeking help from other male educated youth instead of accepting his unwanted assistance. She also encountered Zhou Xingxue, a local village head’s daughter who had been An Jinsheng’s accomplice in her past life. Zhou Xingxue tried to assert dominance, but Song Shishi stood her ground, refusing to be bullied.

Adapting to rural life, Song Shishi focused on practical matters. She hired a local carpenter to build a locked cabinet for her belongings, a luxury the other educated youth did not have. This act drew jealousy from Jiang Cuihua, a fellow educated youth who had previously been An Jinsheng’s ally. Jiang Cuihua tried to sabotage Song Shishi by spilling her malted milk, but Song Shishi turned the situation around, forcing Jiang Cuihua to pay for the entire can. Song Shishi also discovered that Xu Li, the sister of Meng Xunzhou’s comrade-in-arms, was being abused by her aunt’s family. Remembering Xu Li’s tragic fate in her previous life, Song Shishi intervened, rescuing her from abuse and offering her a place to stay and work. This act of kindness began to alter the fate of those around her.

As the new educated youth settled in, Song Shishi began implementing her knowledge of agriculture. She purchased seeds and planned to experiment with improved planting techniques. Her diligence in the fields contrasted sharply with the laziness of others like Jiang Cuihua and Wang Jingwen. She worked hard alongside the villagers, earning their respect. Meanwhile, Meng Xunzhou continued to support her from a distance, sending her agricultural books and checking on her well-being. His quiet care contrasted with An Jinsheng’s manipulative and self-serving behavior. Song Shishi remained focused on her goals, determined to build a better life and protect her loved ones, while keeping a watchful eye on An Jinsheng, whose true intentions she now fully understood.

The narrative follows Song Shishi’s transformation from a naive, dependent young woman into a resilient and strategic individual. She navigates the complexities of rural politics, interpersonal conflicts, and her own past traumas. Her relationship with Meng Xunzhou deepens as they support each other, while her interactions with An Jinsheng highlight the stark difference between his deceit and her newfound clarity. The story sets the stage for Song Shishi to use her future knowledge to succeed in the countryside, improve her community, and redefine her destiny, leaving behind the mistakes of her previous life.