The Early-Death First Wife’s Joyful Daily Life Following the Army [1970s]

In 1970s Suzhou, Jiang Lizhu lives a quiet life with her infant son in a hospital family quarters, unaware that she is a transmigrator who inhabits the body of a fictional character from a dual-era novel. Originally a wealthy heiress from the twenty-first century, she died in a car accident and was reborn into the body of the original Jiang Lizhu, a vicious supporting character destined for a tragic end. The original host was switched at birth with Xiao Jinzhu, the false daughter who enjoyed a privileged upbringing under their biological parents, Jiang Yuanbai and Ruan Yumin. After returning to her biological family, the original Jiang Lizhu faced political turmoil when her father was imprisoned and her mother remarried and left the city. In a desperate move for self-preservation, she schemed to marry Gu Mingyan, a military officer, forcing a hasty union that left her isolated and embittered.

Jiang Lizhu, the transmigrator, recognizes the impending doom awaiting her and her son as depicted in the source novels. In the original storyline, her son is abducted, leading to her mental collapse and eventual drowning. Determined to alter this fate, she resigns from her nursing position and prepares to join her husband at the military garrison, seeking a safer environment away from the toxic dynamics of Suzhou. Her primary motivation is the protection of her child, with whom she has formed a deep maternal bond since her transmigration. She also seeks to distance herself from Xiao Jinzhu, who has benefited from the original host’s suffering and continues to exert a subtle, malicious influence over her life.

The narrative shifts when Xiao Jinzhu visits Jiang Lizhu, feigning concern while subtly provoking her. Xiao Jinzhu’s fiancé, Lin Mojia, arrives and aggressively accuses Jiang Lizhu of bullying, frightening the infant and triggering a physical confrontation. Jiang Lizhu slaps Lin Mojia in defense of her child, leading to a heated standoff. The situation escalates until Gu Mingyan, Jiang Lizhu’s husband, arrives unexpectedly. Having received a telegram about his son’s birth only days prior, he had rushed to Suzhou to investigate. Gu Mingyan intervenes, physically subduing Lin Mojia and publicly clarifying rumors that he is an older, remarried man, asserting his youth and first marriage.

Gu Mingyan’s arrival marks a pivotal turning point in the relationship between the couple. Initially estranged due to the original host’s deception and subsequent silence, Jiang Lizhu and Gu Mingyan engage in honest dialogue. She apologizes for withholding the pregnancy and explains the complex history of her switched identity and the abuse she suffered from her foster family. Gu Mingyan, reflecting on his own failures to communicate and understand her, accepts her apology and pledges unconditional support. He declares his commitment to their marriage and their son, rejecting the notion of divorce despite the flawed beginnings of their union.

The couple begins to rebuild their relationship, with Gu Mingyan actively participating in childcare and household matters. He discusses plans for their future at the military garrison, offering Jiang Lizhu choices regarding housing and living conditions. Jiang Lizhu, appreciating his directness and willingness to cooperate, feels a growing sense of security. The story concludes with Gu Mingyan inviting Jiang Lizhu and their son to visit his family in his rural hometown for his sister’s wedding, signaling a step toward integrating their lives and facing the challenges of the era together. Jiang Lizhu’s focus remains on securing a stable and safe future for her child, moving away from the destructive path outlined in the novel.