The Sickly Beauty in a Period Novel [70s]

Gu Yijia, a healthy and beloved youngest daughter from a modern family, transmigrates into the body of a sickly nineteen-year-old girl in 1973 rural China. The original Gu Yijia was born prematurely after her mother died in childbirth, leaving her with a frail constitution that required constant medical care. She was raised by her older brother, Gu Mingcheng, a soldier, and his wife, Chen Aifang, who doted on her and protected her from their neglectful biological father and malicious stepmother, Yu Xiaolan. Upon waking in the hospital after fainting from heatstroke, Gu Yijia realizes she has entered a novel she once read, where the original character dies young after being forced into a marriage with Jiang Jinwang, the arrogant son of a steel factory director. In the book, Jiang Jinwang becomes obsessed with Gu Yijia upon seeing her, but her family opposes the match due to her health. She eventually flees to the city, where she is harassed by thugs and drowns, allowing Jiang Jinwang to marry her stepsister, Gu Mingyue, instead.

The core conflict arises immediately as Jiang Jinwang and Gu Mingyue visit Gu Yijia in the hospital, revealing their intent to marry. Jiang Jinwang is captivated by Gu Yijia’s ethereal beauty, despite her pale and sickly appearance, and is determined to have her as his wife. He bypasses the protective Chen Aifang by bribing Gu Yijia’s Third Aunt, Gu Sanshen, to persuade the girl to agree to the marriage. The matchmaker offers thirty yuan to Gu Sanshen, who sees an opportunity to benefit her own branch of the family. Meanwhile, Yu Xiaolan, the stepmother, is furious that a sickly stepdaughter might marry into the city while her own daughter, Gu Mingyue, remains unmarried. She visits Gu Yijia with hidden hostility, hoping for her death, but is repelled by Gu Yijia’s sharp tongue.

Gu Yijia resolves to change her fate. She refuses to be a victim of the plot and decides to live independently. After recovering, she uses her modern fashion design skills to start making clothes for neighbors, earning her own income and reducing her reliance on her brother and sister-in-law. She also strengthens her bond with her nieces, Baoshan and Baohua, who fiercely protect her from relatives seeking to exploit them. Chen Aifang confronts Gu Sanshen about the matchmaking scheme, exposing the aunt’s greed and warning her to stay away. This assertive defense by her sister-in-law and brother’s unwavering support give Gu Yijia the confidence to resist Jiang Jinwang’s advances.

As Gu Yijia regains her strength, she attracts the attention of others in the commune, including educated youths who are stunned by her beauty. She maintains a low profile, avoiding the traps set by her biological father and stepmother while focusing on her health and livelihood. The narrative follows her daily life as she navigates the strict social norms of the era, balancing her desire for a quiet existence with the external pressures from suitors and relatives. Her relationship with her brother, Gu Mingcheng, deepens through their weekly phone calls, where he expresses his concern and promise to support her forever. Gu Yijia is determined to break free from the tragic destiny outlined in the novel, using her wits and the love of her family to carve out a new path for herself.