Transmigrated into a Wife of a Millitary Commander [1970’s]

Su Xiangwan, a modern woman with a background in agriculture and rural teaching, finds herself transported into a novel written by her cousin, Su Xiaonan. In the book, she inhabits the body of a woman with the same name who is married into the Song family in 1967 rural China. The original character was a widow of a martyr, Song Laoda, who was abused by her mother-in-law, Old Mrs. Song, and falsely rumored to be in love with her brother-in-law, Song Er. The story begins with Su Xiangwan waking up from a suicide attempt, having been driven to despair by the harsh treatment and the village gossip surrounding a poorly written letter she intended to send to Song Er requesting help with feeding the family donkeys.

Upon realizing she is in the novel, Su Xiangwan understands that the original character was destined to sell her children and meet a tragic end, while her eldest son, Lu Dan, would become a detective and ultimately send her to prison. Determined to change her fate and protect her three children—Lu Dan, Gou Dan, and the infant Zhi Zhi—she decides to fight back against the oppressive family dynamics. She confronts Old Mrs. Song when the matriarch beats Gou Dan for stealing a pear, asserting her authority and refusing to be bullied any longer. Su Xiangwan uses her knowledge of the plot and her modern sensibilities to navigate the rigid social structures of the commune era.

A key turning point occurs when Su Xiangwan seeks help from the Women’s Federation to secure resources for her starving baby. She publicly exposes the family’s mistreatment and leverages her husband’s status as a martyr to demand a share of the compensation money. Through clever negotiation and public pressure, she secures ten yuan and a letter of introduction to purchase milk powder. She also discovers that her husband’s martyr pension of 500 yuan is still intact in a bank account. By reporting the passbook lost and using her wits, she ensures the money is secured for her children’s future, effectively separating her financial interests from her mother-in-law’s control.

As Song Er returns from the military, the family tension escalates. Old Mrs. Song attempts to frame Su Xiangwan for taking out a fraudulent loan in her deceased husband’s name to drive her away. However, Su Xiangwan is prepared for this move. She reveals the forgery in front of Song Er and the village, exposing her mother-in-law’s schemes. This confrontation solidifies her position within the family and protects her children from further abuse. The narrative highlights the harsh realities of life in 1960s China, including food shortages, labor points, and strict social hierarchies, while showcasing Su Xiangwan’s resilience and strategic thinking.

The story follows Su Xiangwan’s efforts to raise her children with love and dignity, contrasting sharply with the original plot where they were neglected and abused. She builds a supportive relationship with her sons, particularly Lu Dan, who becomes her loyal ally. As she navigates the complexities of rural life, she also encounters Zhao Guodong, a cadre who has feelings for her, but she remains focused on her primary goal: securing a stable and happy life for her family. The narrative sets the stage for her ongoing struggle to break free from the toxic family structure and carve out an independent path for herself and her children.