Bai Fumei in the ’70s

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The villager who was so poor that he couldn’t afford a bride price, did not learn to do anything, and was idle, actually got a beautiful and rich wife from the city!

The beautiful and rich Bai (white) Fu (rich) Mei (beautiful), Zhao Lanxiang was reborn, and the first thing she did when she woke up was to find her husband in a hurry.

In their last life, they met each other in their later years, he had suffered through the ups and downs in life, and she was scarred. They warmed and healed each other in their remaining years.

In this life, she decided to give this man a good beginning, help him avoid the hidden arrows, and walk onto the bright road!

However… who could tell her why her steady, refined husband is actually such a cold, fierce, and th**ny bully as a young man?

The rough man impatiently pressed the Bai Fumei into the cornfield, patted her tender face, and said fiercely: “You know, you can’t run away if you mess with me again.”

Associated Names
One entry per line
BFM70
七十年代白富美
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Married to a Disabled Man in the ’70s (7)
Back to the Sixties: Farm, Get Wealthy & Raise the Cubs (6)
Transmigrated into a Parvenu’s Ex-wife in the ‘90s (3)
Epiphanies of Rebirth (3)
Clear and Muddy Loss of Love (2)
Bringing Good Luck to your Husband in the ’70s (2)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Sweet Fluffy Novels
  2. FOOD IS BEST
  3. All time favorites
  4. Farm Farm Farm
  5. Rebirth/Transmigration in the 60s, 70s, 80s....

Latest Release

Date Group Release
05/27/21 Serena Love c152
05/27/21 Serena Love c151
05/27/21 Serena Love c150
05/27/21 Serena Love c149
05/27/21 Serena Love c148
05/26/21 Serena Love c147
05/26/21 Serena Love c146
05/26/21 Serena Love c145
05/25/21 Serena Love c144
05/25/21 Serena Love c143
05/24/21 Serena Love c142
05/24/21 Serena Love c141
05/24/21 Serena Love c140
05/23/21 Serena Love c139
05/23/21 Serena Love c138
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154 Reviews sorted by


cosmicpeach
cosmicpeach
November 20, 2023
Status: Completed
4.5 ⭐

Well to be very hones I did finish reading the main story + extra story of the MC's children but I didn't read the past life extra story because I was sure it will wreck my softy heart lol.

Bai Fumei in the '70s was indeed a good read. It was beautiful. I love slice of life and the story progression was great too.

... more>> Although I liked it I still want to complain...

First, the FMC got her second chance in life and she's now back to the year when she's just a teenager. With the experience of her past life I thought she could do much better in preventing the past life's problems (well she did prevent many misfortunes) but

Spoiler

It was so regrettable that she can't prevent 100% of the r*ping case of the other characters in the novel. She also didn't "realize" who's the villain that makes the ML got all the misfortune in his first life.

It's fair if she didn't know it in the past life IF only the ML in previous life never tell her about it but even though they only met on their late age during the past life, they were together for decades! And she never asked about it? What kind of nonsense was that? So it's kind upsetting that she can't prevent all of the misfortunes.

Second, nevertheless FMC is still an amazing character, but at the same time I realized how "weak" was our ML that I even thinks that without FL he really was hopeless... (He's good, don't be disheartened just because I said this)

Third, I truly hate the "Choose your loved one or choose to save him while leaving him alone and you go with me" troupe. Like? I just hateeee it so much. They spent years together and now she's leaving him... I hate separation between lovers. Fortunately it ended beautifully in this novel.

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(There are 3 complain in the spoiler above)

I like a support character named Gu Shuoming and I thought I would love to read his story more, maybe a sequel or something, but turned out he got his part in the extra story! Well it was actually the story about his child and MC's childs side story. I love themmm too!!!

I love that even grandma got her happy ending lol.

So this novel definitely was a great read! <<less
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LostMySoul
LostMySoul
November 19, 2023
Status: Completed
Worth reading. I kept seeing this novel but I never read it because I though it would just be the old cliche chinese BG novel. But then I saw the comments and I gave it a try. Basically read this in one day. It's that good. It's so simple but heartwarming and it will make you really wish to have a love like them. Such a pure love. Made me shed a few tears too lol

But seriously, to people who are hesitating, give this one a try. You won't regret... more>> it. <<less
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Roxasfleur
Roxasfleur rated it
May 28, 2023
Status: Completed
This is a very beautiful story. The MC and ML going round in circles for 2 lifetimes and finally complete their story. It is very different from other similar stories due to the disparity of MC and ML background. This story also brings many details of black market dealing, a bit of mystery and great deal of tragedy. I cried buckets when reading the past life epilogue. Very beautiful.
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daoistfellow
daoistfellow rated it
May 24, 2023
Status: Completed
All the items on Aliexpress are always on sale, even at their highest price. Chinese people love the feeling of getting a good deal. Recently I've been reading the substack blog Chinese Doom Scroll, which translates the top posts on weibo every day, and after doing so its clear how exhausting the Chinese dating scene must be, how it must feel materialistic and transactional, unfair, and disappointing. So the idea of relationship Moneyball, being able to pick a real winner that has yet to be appreciated, is deeply satisfying. That's... more>> one half of this novel's charm. The second part is the glorious blend of nostalgia and pride which accompanies the constant upward trajectory of a development drama, which is clear to anyone who has watched shows such as Like a Flowing River. Brilliant really.

There are two totally downsides, which unfortunately undermine the core premise. The first, in my opinion, is the twist revealed in the final bonus chapters, which is fulfilling but cheapens the message. In our relationships, what we truly want is sincerity, for each party to treat the other as precious. It's the inability to know if this truly exists that leads to insecurity and attachment issues. So while it certainly feels fulfilling to complete the cycle, isn't this just reducing their beautiful relationship to the trite idea "what have I done in my past life to deserve you"? The treatment of the ML is actually obligated? And has been manipulated into existence?

The other issue is, as other reviewers have noted, that there is no need (taking the bonus chapters as canon or ignoring them), for the primary antagonist to also transfer, or even to have any role at all in the novel. What annoys me most in the romance genre is when adulterers are shoehorned in simply for the purpose of experiencing endless regret and suffering, which feels like a case of a f*ck-you-in-particular authorial self-insert wish-fulfillment that is pointless and breaks immersion. Although I understand why some would enjoy reading such content.

My suggestion is therefore to skip the bonus chapters and enjoy the beautiful wish-fulfillment main story. <<less
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Potatoxxcake
Potatoxxcake
March 22, 2023
Status: Completed
What can I say beside Love and love and love. This story just raise my standard to an impossible level. Where can I find a man who can love me 2 lifetime.
the story has itself sweet moments as well as some heartbreaking moments. But it all worth the love. I love the fact that everything runs in circle. She goes to find her old man because he came to her in her last life and he goes back to her because she found him in her second life. Infinite love circle. 😭😭 also though I feel sorry for the ex husband, I don’t think he deserves second chance. Just because you’re pitiful doesn’t mean you did nothing wrong. Sorry not sorry.
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dnd
dnd rated it
February 14, 2023
Status: --
I'll rate it after finish reading it.

So far the story is interesting and we'll written. The persona in each character also reflect quite nicely with the psychology of people back then and some rural area people.

... more>>
Spoiler

it's just there is one or two thing I dislike from some of their character. One is those mindset that avoid the main topic to create misunderstanding. For example the MC actions towards the ex husband sisters. Since the beginning the sister always mention her brother, and the MC has not even try to clear it even once, that she no longer like nor after the brother. Perhaps the author want to use this in the future plot, but God for me as a reader it is really annoying, even more when it's always mentioned how direct and cunning MC actually is, yet she allow this type of misunderstanding and let the sister got whatever she demand using this excuse. Ah ah, that's really a downer

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Re-review

I give this novel 5 ⭐, at first I thought that it will be some dog fight type of dramas but out of my expectations this to be very reasonable drama's. there is still a taste of that bitter life but everything sill on the range of normal human logic while not really pragmatic. The author put the balance really well.

Pervious concern

Spoiler

i got my answer on the next story, basically I have to understand both the MC and the ex husband personality to understand the MC actions. at first she kinda thinking it's not necessary for her to correct the Jiang Li words, But later after she suspect of his reborn she has to be cautious in case the ex-husband find out about he shoubai as he has been pressed so bad in the last life by ML.

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Ex husband

Spoiler

i understand why many reader feel pity for him, but me personally I couldn't have that kind of feeling towards his character. I would actually pitying him if at the time he found out that her wife first miscarriage was the deliberate plan by that moonlight of him, he would get the justice for his child. But no, he didn't. It shows clear enough that he did not have a single feeling either towards his wife or children, the only thing he try to protect was his comfort world. He change because his perfect world were shatter, he chang the moment the wife also change her attitude. He is selfish even after his reborn. That is why I personally find his words on the story is pretty much unreliable as the author itself didn't really show a narrative about his inner feeling in a objective way. I would want to see him miserable life on the ML reborn time also his redemption life after the reborn, but sadly the author give us a total control over that. It's also kinda annoying how there is no clear punishments for the white moonlight girl, and the ex husband mother knowledge regardless her grandchildren miscarriage or her reaction after the divorce as it really affect her son. I'm dying to know the author mind on it, not mine.

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Both FL and ML are such a sweet character, I like them so much. But....

Spoiler

the 4 years time gap was too much. Why can't the author give us a proper scene about the ML and FL life also the ex husband and FL pursuit. I'm curious on why he would give up? What kind of brain did he resonate with as he seems very reluctant to actually let her go until the lasy moment on her weeding.

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I'm a petty person so I personally feel the need to see the villain or dislikable character miserable ending in the most clearer way. <<less
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trash_generalist
trash_generalist rated it
February 13, 2023
Status: Completed
(UPDATE: 2nd Reread - 02/13/2023) I didn't manage to read till the end this time. Partly because I can still remember the ending and partly because I agree with my first impression (if I had stopped early the first time, I would have probably given this story a higher rating.) OVERALL, it's pretty good. Worth the read, though expect some drama and angst between the cute romance between a shy wolf cub of an ML and a shameless, old driver FL (it's both hilarious and charming! Definitely my favorite... more>> pet of this work.) I'm sting to the original rating by the way. Though I've decided to lower it to 3.75/5!

SUMMARY: The FL, Zhao Lanxiang, had wasted almost two decades of her first life on a scum man that loved his white moonlight more than he ever did herself, his faithful and endlessly devoted wife. Fortunately, after divorcing him, the FL encountered the ML, He Songbai. Like her, his life had not been easy, he spent a decade in jail and because of his background, he had lived a very poor life. They got to spend quite a few years together, but it ended much too soon because of the ML's poor health at the time.

Lucky for the FL, before her husband's death had truly sunken in, she was brought back in time. Back before she married that scum man and before the ML was imprisoned wrongfully. Of course, she doesn't hesitate to seek the ML out. Going as far as to become an educated youth in the country side in order to meet the younger and much more untrained version of her beloved husband. The trajectory of the story after this is pretty steady. Quite good, lacks a bit of direction at times. But overall very interesting to read. Sometimes the TL made it difficult o understand certain things, like some statements that were probably meant to be positive became negative (and vice versa), so I'm a bit confused about what happened sometimes. But despite that I appreciate the detail in both the characters and the setting.

_________________

OLD REVIEW:

The MC, Zhao Lanxiang ends up getting another chance at life after her husband, the ML He Songbai, died of old age/illness. She came back just in time before she got married to the scum man that she divorced in her first life. It was around the 1970s, just before the major reforms that changed the way things were back then. She goes all the way to a rural village in order to meet her 'old man' who is still very young and insecure, and pursues him without shame while improving his life.

The loose rating is around 3.85/5. I actually really liked it at first but the climax was a bit dramatic for me. I get that the author was eager to tie things up and force the characters to grow up but the forced separation trope is just really hateful to me. I like the romance aspect. Before the MC made that dumb decision near the end, I liked her because she was decisive. Meanwhile, the ML? Well, there's nothing else to ask for when it comes to him, he's great and the side characters are great too! Overall, I thought that all the characters were well-characterized, it was just that drama ugh. Without counting that, rating would be 4.1/5! Would be worth reading in the future, though it's not quite the poor-to-rich novel that I was expecting (it's definitely more of a slice of life, it that makes sense), the elements of that are still pretty strong <<less
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Ticklebox
Ticklebox
January 29, 2023
Status: c141
If you want the gist of the story it's about a girl who after going back in time decided that the first thing she wanted to do was to find and spend the rest of her life with the man she loved all over again, despite having lived and loved together until old age in her last life. He turned out to be prickly when he was younger, and in a hard place but she whole-heartedly pursued him with not a single hesitation in the face of all hardships.

Very heart... more>> warming and touching, even though the translation sometimes gets rough, the feelings you get from reading still hit deeply. When they suffer you feel the frustration too, but when they finally reached happiness you feel happy right with them. It's a very sweet and fluffy novel. It was paced very well, not too long but not too short. There were plot hooks that the author could've used to drag the story on more but they didn't and I'm very grateful for that.

The author also wrote a lot of extras or epilogues so you can really get closure for the side characters as well if you want to, but I felt full and content after chapter 137 which I think is the end of the main story. So if you're wondering why I stopped it's cause I realized later on that I was reading the epilogues already, while they are also sweet and wonderful to hear or know, my heart feels satisfied and soft. <<less
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HooliganReader
HooliganReader rated it
January 14, 2023
Status: Completed
A satisfying read with the perfect extras!

I loved the reveal at the end. Also poor Jiang ex boyfriend.

Recommended for people who enjoy romance, poor to rich/ business management (of sorts) slice of life stories with a strong FL and a lovable ML.
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Crystal_loves_reading
Crystal_loves_reading rated it
January 3, 2023
Status: Completed
I absolutely loved every second of reading this novel. And now I am lost, I do not know what to read next my novel standards have yet again been raised. I also finished reading back to the sixties which is also heart warming like this one though get ready to read cause it's got 700 plus chapters but anyways. Huge thanks to the author and the translator for taking your time for this book. We all appreciate it! 🥰
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novelprocrastinator
novelprocrastinator rated it
December 16, 2022
Status: Completed
A really beautiful story. The setting is set in the 70s (hence the title) but what the author did was really praiseworthy. The author wrote the story in such a way that I myself felt like I had gone to the past, endured the hardships and love together with the FL and ML. The love each of them have for each other, and their family, was really beautiful and touching.

There's no one that you hate from this story, every character has an impactful role and even character development. Except for... more>> that one straight-out villain. In fact, even the ex, or SML, is no one hateful.
Spoiler

Although his story is pitiful but it is really "if it's meant to be, it will be".

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While this has the "transmigration" cliché, the way the author wrote out the past lives was unique and beautiful.
Spoiler

The way the ML found out about the whole past life thing was something that is totally different but it wasn't uncomfortable. Even if you feel like it is lacking and that there should be something more, you'll forget about it because it fit the atmosphere perfectly.

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It is a happy ending
Spoiler

as the characters grow old and get buried. But it didn't end there, it loops back to the past life (side story) which had an equally happy ending in such circumstances

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TLDR; you'll feel the pain of going through the hardship together with the characters but your heart would feel warm all the way, even after you finished reading it. <<less
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The_Crimson_Moon
The_Crimson_Moon rated it
September 20, 2022
Status: Completed
What a wonderful novel. It was very slice-of-life with a relatively slow progression and an emphasis on the transition from poor to rich. The side stories though... I got to say I was very happy at the end of the main story, but at the end of the side stories, I wanted to cry. I feel like I should have read the side stories before I read the last few chapters of the main story just so I would feel better about it all, but oh well.

... more>>
Spoiler

Zhao Lanxiang's past life was too pitiful. Reading about her previous life was excruciatingly painful. I don't think that the ex-husband was scum per se, in fact, I pity him as well, but he was definitely to be blamed. And they were never going to be together. I wish he had changed in his second life and repented but he didn't really at the beginning. Eventually, he did let her go, but it felt a bit unsatisfying. I feel like the FL and he needed some closure. A goodbye scene where everything was out in the open and he let her go finally with well wishes.

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I want to end with the final words of the last side story. The message is very beautiful and sums it all up well.

Spoiler

He Songbai is thinking about their two lives, they always meet at the moment of each other's roughest time. Each encounter is not the best, there is pain and frustration along the way, but it does not matter.

As long as it is the right person, however you meet, whenever you meet, it will be beautiful.

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<<less
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wangxian0821
wangxian0821 rated it
August 12, 2022
Status: --
I apologize for my English, this is not my native language.! thank you for translator and the author!💓💓💓

the story is Good, I love the ML😢💜 my poor boy!😢☹️ and also the MC.. I love them sister He and grandma!☹️😢

but not my cup tea!😢

Bc!

... more>>
Spoiler

she reborn and his ex husband is also reborn! ofc the author want to gv him a 2nd chance but he is not the ML😁🙄, in their previous life he is not GOOD husband! he only care abt his work! I don't knew why he marry the girl! in the frst he don't love her! then the sl*t girl! she set up him😠 when he drunk then the sl*t girl! got a chance (she f**k him what a sl*t!) she already knew that he already married man but ofc sl*t is sl*t!😠 bcs of her ! his 2 children was died bc of that bit*h and sl*t woman!😠 and the sl*t woman she always went to MC house and told her that she and her husband are lover! thats why the MC misunderstood her husband, but she's martyrs! until she already fed and divorced her husband, while her husband, realised that he loved his wife, he want to fix their relationship as husband and wife but it's already to late!... then fvkn sh*t he also reborn then he want to chasing the MC he want to marry her again! but the MC also reborn so she chase her 2nd husband in her previous life, her beloved old man (ML) 😁 but again when the ex- husband found out! he blackmail the MC! then for the sake of the ML she chose to leave the mL!😑 she just want to protect the ML from her ex husband! the hell!😠 then they got separate in 3 or 4yrs! when the ML got money and became rich! and graduated from college! he went to his GF home!, and he also realized something!. that's why when he found her again! they makes baby!😁😁 then ask the MC's parents to marry thier daughter!..💜💓

actually I feel little pity to the ex husband hay!!

the twist! in ML previous life, they're husband and wife with the MC, they both pass away in age 85age then his 2ndlife he already late he meets his wife when he already in 40age , and the MC are married woman but when she divorced her husband. then the ML, chasing her for 3yrs then proposed to her! again...

then in MC 2ndlife she chasing her old man😁 she went to his countryside, they meets when they're young!💓💜

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<<less
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Akime yuko
Akime yuko rated it
August 3, 2022
Status: Completed
Sigh, what a great novel!! Idek where to start about this review.

Ok lets talk about the characters first

Comrade Zhao: our MC, my precious girl, she was brave, mischievous and fresh just like a breeze in the spring. My vocabulary is not enough to describe her.

Her love for hsb is so pure and deep to the point she really doesn't care even if they're not together in this life she just want him not to suffer like in his previous life. Every decisions she made is in consideration of preventing the... more>> tragedy that will harm hsb life so never misunderstood her decision. She knows what she's doing.

Comrade He: our ml, first of all don't settle for less if you can't get your own hsb and be single for the rest ur life (ok I was joking we know a man like him is VERY rare) he's very admirable and strong. Like you just can't help but to love him so much and root for him and angry when he encountered setback, He always put his beloveds above everything else. He knows his priorities. He's a good grandson, a good brother and a good husband and of course a good father. Dont even get me started with the way he loved our comrade zhao. Both of their love is deep rooted in their bones that saying "I will die for you" is a shame. Their love is more than that. I honestly cried not cos it was sad but it was so heartfelt and touching. Everyone of us deserved our own brother bai and xiangxiang

Jiang Jun: the ex husband in previous life, if I was to say few things about him is he's ur typical cold ML who messed up in his previous and try to redeemed it in the second yet the ending is more realistic. He ain't a villain. But not a good person either. I don't hate him nor feel bad for him. His failure is entirely caused by him while hsb just push the boat I accept no excuse.

Sigh, But I do hope In the next life like if he transmigrated to another novel he will know how to cherish someone and also be happy..

last but not least, dont hesitate and trust the high rating and read this masterpiece. This novel will make u feel sweet like honey yet sour at the same time. It was a emotional journey and all the side characters was well written ❤️ <<less
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auroraRMC
auroraRMC rated it
August 2, 2022
Status: Completed
One of the cutest, most wholesome stories on this site. The love between the MC and the ML is absolutely adorable, I love the MC’s gentleness and patience yet passionate love so much. The only part I really hated was the 2 year skip in closer to the end. For some reason she just ups and leaves without even a bit of reassurance to the ML?? Literally made him devastated. And then the author just skips through those two years in like one chapter with nary a detail about what... more>> even happened with the Jiang guy on her end. Left me with question marks the whole time.

The extras about the children are adorable, but why weren’t there any about the son’s love life? Wasn’t sure if there was an implication that the son was gay or if I was just projecting my usual BL reading habits onto that... The extras about the past life are not for the faint of heart. Firstly, the timeline is now extremely confusing and their two lives are cycling, which feels kinda strange and a little unsatisfying. Secondly, and finally, the MC actually suffers so much. I didn’t cry but it felt so painful just reading about what she had to go through. It turns out the Jiang guy wasn’t as abdominal even as the worst we had thought of him, but everything he did before and after he fell in love was still unforgivable. So grateful that the ML was able to be there for the MC through all that. Love their relationship. I hope they get to meet and fall in love with each other in a different life. <<less
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bingereaderv
bingereaderv
July 19, 2022
Status: Completed
I was reluctant reading this novel and kept it hanging for a while despite its completed translation. I must admit I was prejudiced due to its title. I though it would be a boring novel. I was wrong.

I am not sure how accurate the novel is but it gives me a good insight of how life was in 60-80s China. The made it come to life in her stories and it kept me engaged. I actually searched up some information to supplement my curiosity.

This novel has warmth of a family... more>> & friendship, struggle of life, coming of age, strive for success, food p*rn, romance and even snu snu. The story has great pacing and keeps you interested even after the climax.

I am not going to say much. I don't want to spoil anything. I hope my review will help people who are skeptical about the novel. Give it a try, it is definitely not your dime a dozen rebirth story. <<less
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TheSearchingGlasses
TheSearchingGlasses rated it
June 24, 2022
Status: Completed
This novel had been a blast!!! Finished it in 3 days and I'm glad that I didn't pass on it.

One thing though... Comrade JJ...
Spoiler

Let it go, let the past go into the past. Maybe in another timeline you were the only who got a reset and in there you redeemed yourself but for now let these 2 couple that transcended time and space be in an eternal love cycle.

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Theron
Theron
June 20, 2022
Status: Completed
I feel like this is the most, other than the rebirth part, realistic rebirth novel I have read. There's no persistent-for-no-reason antagonist or s*upid misunderstandings between the main characters. The FL's past life made me cry and the ex husband was so annoying. Its not entirely his fault, but still annoying. I would say, if a real person transmigrated, then it would go somewhat like this novel. Anyways, this was a very good read, fluffy and sad at the same time.
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Grisias
Grisias
December 14, 2021
Status: Completed
Mildly sweet throughout with some saltiness on the inside likea traditional lotus paste mooncske with double egg yolk.

Narration showed both FL's and ML's sufferings while watching their slow romance blossom.
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spicyeggroll
spicyeggroll rated it
December 7, 2021
Status: Completed
Sweet, wholesome, tender and touching.

This one has been on my list for a while but I've been avoiding it because I tend to like ancient Chinese stories more. However, this one is still historical since the majority of the story takes place in the late 1970's to beginning 1980's. The author did a great job in conveying the desperation of struggling families during the Cultural Revolution and its strict regulations. There isn't any political commentary, though, as the characters are just trying to survive and prosper during such hard times... more>> while falling in love. If you love food descriptions (like me!) and slice of life romances that are on the slower side but just as sweet, then this one is for you!

TRANSLATION

I'm really grateful for the translator, but not gonna lie it was rough at times. It started out okay but I struggled with sentences after the first half. We got pronoun switches, name switches, and difficult to understand sentences. It might have been edited MTL? Either way, it was overall rough yet readable.

CHARACTERS AND ROMANCE

We start the story with the FL at the deathside of her husband, the ML. Next thing she knows, she travels back in time to when she was 17 and about to embark on the worst decisions of her life. With her previous lifetime's knowledge in mind, she sets out to find the ML early and help him during his hardest years and prevent him from being imprisoned (which happened in the previous lifetime). However, when she, an educated youth from the city, arrives at the ML's poor rural village, he ends up ignoring her and being quite cold. With that first impression, she starts her task in getting him to fall in love with her again and saving him from imprisonment.

Zhao Lan Xiang, the FL, is stubborn and willful in both making money and making the people around her happy. Her superb cooking skills from the previous life are carried over and she's able to make some money from that, as well as feed the ML's family. He Song Bai, the ML, is cold at first, but that's because he doesn't think he deserves the FL. He's weak to the FL's antics though, and of course becomes sweet to her. ZLX, on the other hand, helps him grow his confidence and get rid of his self-doubts. I really enjoyed his character progression and their overall romantic development. Their romance was on the low-key side (as they didn't want the whole village to find out), but the chemistry was sizzling. Phew @ those kissing scenes!

The other characters were also refreshing to read about. There's the 'corrupt' Teacher Gu whose story has more to it than we think, Jiang Li, the tsundere 2ML younger sister who is selfish and selfless at the same time, HSB's grandma who is an absolute queen, and more.

A lot of comments talk about the 2ML being a possible ML if this story was written differently, and I would say although there are romance stories with the 2ML's kinda character getting a redemption, this story is NOT it. It is wholeheartedly a lovely romance between a couple that treats the other equally and kindly from start to finish. I'm not the type of reader to follow rebirth/reincarnation stories where a ML who treated the FL like sh*t in the first lifetime changes his ways in the second lifetime. That's the 2ML's story, and that's a story full of regret and unfairness that I don't like reading. This ain't it. Props to the author though, for making him the kind of character that makes readers both pity and hate him.

FOOD AND REBIRTH

I feel like if you're vegetarian or in general aren't a fan of food descriptions (or maybe on the pickier side (no shame!)), you'll get bored of the food descriptions. They can go on for a while, and can be mundane if you're not a fan of what's being cooked. Since we're talking about historical China, this includes pork intestines, liver, and other offal that isn't popular by Western cuisine standards. I really recommend going in with an open mind though! Especially since these dishes are popular in Chinese culture.

The rebirth isn't quite explained 100% in the story/translation, and I feel like maybe the translations didn't quite capture its depth, but I liked the unique way the author handled it. It's a cyclical reincarnation between the ML and FL, so both are 'going back in time' to save the other during their most difficult times in life. The overall message though, is that your loved one will be there to support you during trial and tribulation, which makes it very touching.

A PET PEEVE

I'm a huge fan of open communication in relationships, and the lack of resolution of a plot point that separated the main couple for 2-3 years bothered me. I tried to ignore it for the sake of the happy ending afterwards, lol. Either way, I thought that the separation trope was nonsensical between this couple and unnecessary (except to add angst).
Spoiler

I don't understand why the FL never told the ML about her previous lifetime, even after he literally guessed it and asked about it to her face. The forced separation had barely any resolution because the 2ML just disappeared from the picture despite his threats and left the main couple alone after the time skip. While it was a good time for the main couple to develop their businesses and studies separately, I don't think it had to happen with a break in the relationship. But then again, that wouldn't be angsty enough for a Cnovel lmao.

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OVERALL

Reading this was a humbling experience sometimes, as the poverty of the rural countryside was really visceral. It made me really grateful for the things I have now, lol. But other than that slice-of-life portion, the romance was sweet and the characters were in-depth. I really recommend Zhao Lian Xiang and He Song Bai's journey in the late 1900's if you're up for a slow and steady historical romance.

TL;DR Read this if you're into:

  • Characters that overcome adversity and find strength through loved ones
  • Plentiful food descriptions that'll have you drooling (thank you @ translator for extra pics)
  • Getting a look at what China was like in the 70's
  • Supportive friends and family that help our main characters
  • A tender and humble romance that'll make your heart melt...
  • And a happily ever after!
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