Transmigrated from Ancient Times to the 1950s: The Legitimate Daughter Reborn as a Fetus

Set in 1967, the story follows Su Yue, a young woman who has been reincarnated with memories of a previous life. In her past existence, she suffered greatly in a remote courtyard after her mother’s death, only to eventually gain power and wealth. In this current life, she has secured a permanent position as an archives administrator at the county steel factory, transferring her household registration to the city. She is engaged to Li Xiangbei, a man she has loved for four years, who works as a purchasing agent at the county supply and marketing cooperative. Their relationship is tested early on by Li Xiangbei’s dysfunctional family, particularly his eldest brother Li Xiangdong and sister-in-law Liu Lanxiang, who resent the attention and resources their parents, Zhang Cuihua and Li Jianguo, devote to the youngest son and his bride.

Simultaneously, Su Yue faces hostility from her own family. Her second brother, Su Zhiqiang, and his wife, Wu Xiulian, are unemployed and financially dependent on their parents. They view Su Yue’s job and engagement as a threat, demanding she hand over her position or sell it for their benefit. When Su Yue refuses, her parents, Shen Qiuxia and Su Dahai, decide to split the household, moving into a new house funded by Su Yue’s eldest and third brothers. This separation allows Su Yue to establish independence while maintaining a loving relationship with her parents.

Upon starting work at the steel factory, Su Yue encounters workplace politics. A former classmate, Qin Mingyue, resents Su Yue for rejecting her brother in high school. Qin uses her connection to Deputy Director Qin to withhold office supplies and attempt to sabotage Su Yue’s reputation. Su Yue responds with calm assertiveness, reporting the misconduct to Director Wang and quoting political texts to defend her rights. This confrontation forces Deputy Director Qin to reprimand his niece, establishing Su Yue’s competence and resilience in her professional environment.

The narrative also explores the Li family’s internal dynamics. Zhang Cuihua is fiercely protective of Su Yue, having already secured generous betrothal gifts, including 168 yuan and a bicycle coupon. However, Liu Lanxiang’s greed and rudeness create tension during Su Yue’s first visit to the Li home. Li Xiangbei reveals he has purchased a private courtyard house, which he plans to use as their marital home, indicating his desire to distance himself from his toxic siblings. Su Yue utilizes a mystical storage space from her past life, the Orchid Courtyard, to manage household resources and prepare for her future.

As the story progresses, Su Yue balances her new career, her engagement, and the fallout from her family’s division. She navigates the complexities of factory life, where loyalty and merit are constantly tested. The central conflict revolves around her determination to build a stable, happy life with Li Xiangbei despite the scheming of relatives on both sides who seek to exploit her for financial gain. Her past-life experiences provide her with the wisdom to handle these challenges with strategic patience and firm boundaries.

The engagement is formally settled, and preparations for the wedding begin. Su Yue’s brothers, now established in the army and Beijing, send support, further isolating the parasitic second brother. The story highlights the social and economic realities of 1960s China, where household registration and employment determined one’s status and survival. Su Yue’s journey is one of reclaiming agency, transforming from a victim of family neglect in her past life to a proactive architect of her destiny in this one.

Key turning points include the successful negotiation of the betrothal, the confrontation with Deputy Director Qin, and the household split with her parents. These events solidify Su Yue’s position as an independent woman capable of withstanding familial and professional pressure. The narrative sets the stage for her married life, promising continued challenges as she integrates into the Li family and manages her career at the steel factory.

The story concludes this section with Su Yue and Li Xiangbei moving toward their wedding, having overcome immediate obstacles. Their relationship is strengthened by mutual support and shared goals. Meanwhile, the antagonists on both sides remain unresolved, suggesting ongoing conflict. Su Yue’s use of her past-life knowledge and the Orchid Courtyard’s resources provides her with a unique advantage, allowing her to thrive in a difficult era. The focus remains on her personal growth, professional integration, and the establishment of her new family unit.