The Sweet Wife of the 1970s

Lu Zhi is a woman who lived over twenty years in a futuristic era before mysteriously traveling back to her youth in a past-life romance novel she had read. In the novel, she was a minor supporting character defined by her unrequited love for the male lead, Li Yu, ultimately serving as a tragic contrast to the heroine. Upon waking in this new reality, Lu Zhi retains her modern mindset and memories, leading her to completely reject her former infatuation. She views her past feelings with confusion and disdain, determined to live a life independent of romantic tropes. Her family, particularly her mother Li Lan, is eager to marry her off, having endured years of neighborhood gossip about Lu Zhi’s singledom. Despite Lu Zhi’s history of botching blind dates, her family remains hopeful, especially given her beauty and high school education.

The narrative shifts when Lu Zhi attends a blind date arranged by her grandfather and the Zhou family. The match is Zhou Cheng’an, a deputy regiment commander stationed on a remote island. Unlike previous suitors, Zhou Cheng’an is introduced with his young brother, Zhou Jun, who lives with him. Lu Zhi, observing the absurdity of other blind dates in the teahouse where men demand traditional domestic servitude from women, is immediately struck by Zhou Cheng’an’s honesty and practicality. He openly states his living situation, his ability to cook and clean, and his willingness to hand over his salary. Lu Zhi, valuing equality and partnership, finds his proposal refreshing and agrees to the marriage on the spot. Her family is ecstatic, particularly because Zhou Cheng’an is being transferred to the same island as Lu Zhi’s second sister, Lu Yue, ensuring Lu Zhi will have family support.

The courtship proceeds with unusual speed and mutual respect. Zhou Cheng’an submits the marriage application immediately and returns for a formal proposal, bringing generous betrothal gifts that impress the Lu family and their neighbors. During this time, Lu Zhi’s former crush, Li Yu, is revealed to be married to Chu Tong, a woman of lower social standing. Li Yu and his family feel a mix of regret and envy upon seeing Lu Zhi’s success, realizing she has married a man of significantly higher status and character than they could offer. Lu Zhi, however, remains indifferent to their reactions, focusing instead on building her new life. She and Zhou Cheng’an visit the Civil Affairs Bureau to register their marriage, where they exchange gold rings and discuss financial transparency. Zhou Cheng’an hands over his substantial savings to Lu Zhi, trusting her to manage their household finances, a gesture that solidifies her confidence in their partnership.

The wedding is a joyous community event at the Hongxing Commune, where Zhou Cheng’an’s family is warm and welcoming. His mother, Chen Jiaojiao, is enthusiastic and generous, providing extensive gifts and financial support. Lu Zhi integrates smoothly into the Zhou family, finding a mother-in-law who is supportive rather than domineering, a stark contrast to the toxic dynamics she had feared based on her future-life experiences. During the wedding festivities, a childhood incident is clarified: Lu Zhi had long believed Li Yu defended her from a bully, but it is revealed that Zhou Cheng’an was the one who intervened, having been motivated by a protective instinct he did not fully understand at the time. This revelation deepens Lu Zhi’s appreciation for her husband’s character.

As the couple prepares to move to the island, Lu Zhi takes proactive steps to improve their future. She purchases educational materials for her brother and sister-in-law, anticipating the reinstatement of college entrance exams, and buys cookbooks to prepare for island life. The story concludes with Lu Zhi and Zhou Cheng’an settling into their new home, surrounded by the support of both their families. Lu Zhi has successfully navigated her second chance at life, avoiding the pitfalls of her novelistic past and establishing a marriage built on mutual respect, financial partnership, and genuine affection. Her journey from a passive romantic lead to an active architect of her own destiny marks the central transformation of the narrative.