The Spoiled Couple in the Seventies

Xia Xianxian, a modern woman, transmigrates into the body of a young bride on her wedding day in rural China during the 1970s. She finds herself in a traditional village where her mother-in-law, Lin Jiafeng, uses a folk ritual involving peach wood branches to wake her, believing her soul has wandered. Upon regaining consciousness, Xia Xianxian receives a flood of memories from the original owner, allowing her to navigate the immediate crisis. She is rushed to marry Meng Wenzhou, a childhood friend who also transmigrated that morning. Unlike Xia Xianxian, Meng Wenzhou had accepted his fate quickly and had already arranged for the delayed arrival of the wedding party to give her more time to adjust. Their wedding ceremony is a simple affair involving recitations from political selected works, reflecting the era's customs.

After the wedding, the couple settles into their new home, a separate house built for Meng Wenzhou. During their first evening cooking together, Xia Xianxian activates a mysterious system known as the Feather-for-Candy Barter System. The system issues a novice mission to recycle discarded green onion root sprouts in exchange for eggs. Xia Xianxian completes the task, but soon realizes the system has bound to the wrong person; it was intended for Meng Wenzhou. The system warns that if the error is discovered, both hosts face severe punishment, including obliteration. Xia Xianxian attempts to negotiate with the dim-witted system, threatening to report it to the main computer for binding errors. The system, fearing punishment, agrees to add Meng Wenzhou as a second host and provides compensation, including food coupons and cash, to settle the matter.

The couple faces immediate challenges in their new rural life. Meng Wenzhou, known for his cleanliness and shrewdness, quickly adapts, while Xia Xianxian struggles with domestic chores but uses her modern knowledge and the system to her advantage. They visit the Meng family old house for traditional post-wedding meals, where the family patriarch, Meng Guoqiang, announces the splitting of the large family into four separate households. This decision, though unconventional, benefits the young couple as they receive their share of the family assets and avoid the complex dynamics of a joint household. Meng Wenzhou handles family relations with tact, endearing himself to his mother while subtly managing conflicts with his siblings.

As they establish their independence, the couple encounters various villagers, including the gossipy Auntie Li, who spreads rumors about Xia Xianxian being lazy and abusive. Xia Xianxian confronts the rumor-monger directly, using her sharp tongue to silence the criticism. Meanwhile, the system continues to assign missions that require the couple to interact with their families and community. Xia Xianxian retrieves items from her natal home, such as an enamel basin and pillow towel, under the guise of nostalgia, while Meng Wenzhou manages the social obligations. The system also provides modern items adapted to the era, such as menstrual belts, which Xia Xianxian uses discreetly.

The narrative follows the couple as they navigate the complexities of rural life in the 1970s, balancing their modern sensibilities with the constraints of the time. They build a toilet and bathroom in their new home, improving their living conditions. The story highlights their growing partnership, as they rely on each other's strengths to overcome obstacles. Meng Wenzhou's strategic mind complements Xia Xianxian's adaptability, and together they manage the system's demands while maintaining a low profile in the village. Their relationship deepens as they share the secret of their transmigration and the system, creating a bond that transcends their original identities.

The couple's journey involves further interactions with the system, which offers missions that range from simple chores to more complex tasks requiring social maneuvering. They learn to exploit the system's rules, filing appeals and negotiating for better rewards. The system evolves from a rigid tool into a more interactive companion, albeit one with limited authority. As they settle into their new life, the couple faces the ongoing challenge of integrating into the village while preserving their unique advantages. The story sets the stage for their future adventures, as they continue to use the system to improve their lives and navigate the social landscape of the era.