Zhang Cuilan lived to be sixty-nine. It was only when she lay helpless in bed that she finally understood her life:
Her old man, Li Fuan, broke his leg and couldn't afford treatment. Bullied by the village thugs, he was left permanently disabled and died young.
She spent all her savings marrying off her eldest son, Li Weiguo, but he yelled at her over his debts and forgot his mother as soon as he got a wife.
Her second son, Li Weihua, married into another family and suffered there. She hadn't stopped him, and mother and son grew apart.
She forced her youngest daughter, Li Aijia, into an exchange marriage. Her daughter barely smiled for the rest of her life.
She had played favorites all her life and spent her whole life meddling in everyone else's affairs. In the end, she was all alone, with no one to bring her a cup of water when she hurt her leg.
When she opens her eyes again, she is back in 1975. Her old man hasn't broken his leg yet, her children aren't married, and she has also gained the [Peaceful Years System], which only goes "Ding-dong" to remind her of things and gives her a little rice, flour, cooking oil, and ration coupons.
This time, Zhang Cuilan has figured it out: children and grandchildren will make their own way in life. Taking care of herself is what matters.
She treats her husband's leg, deals with meddling neighbors, builds up savings through the black market, helps her children study and learn to think for themselves, and lets them decide whom to marry.
She quietly builds her fortune and makes her home a lively, welcoming place.
Strange, the less she revolves around her children, the more dutiful they become.
The more she stands on her own two feet, the more harmonious and flourishing the whole family grows.
The warmth of everyday family life, the sincerity built over time. Watch how Grandma Li learns to stand up for herself and, in turn, builds up her family.
