The Little Stepmother of the 1990s

(The next book, My Beautiful Wife in a Period Novel Awakens, is now available. Its blurb is below.)

Blurb:

In 1985, Gu Shiyu's career is just getting started when his ex-wife runs off with the money and her lover, leaving behind three children. His career hits rock bottom, and no one is willing to help him.

After watching the three kids, who are forever rolling around in the dirt, drive away six nannies in half a month, Gu Shiyu grits his teeth and goes to a matchmaking agency to find them a stepmother.

In 1985, Ye Qiuqiu transmigrates back thirty years. Her family has dragged her to a matchmaking agency, where she's not being picky about men and is prepared to exchange herself for 5,000 yuan in bride price.

Newly transmigrated Ye Qiuqiu crushes a teacup in one hand, and not a single man at the agency dares approach her.

Gu Shiyu brings Ye Qiuqiu home and tells her that if the three children get into university, she can divorce him if she wants, and he'll leave with nothing.

Ye Qiuqiu knows how this man turns out: ten years later, Gu Shiyu will be the richest man in Huacheng.

She nods, and devotes herself to raising children on the road to riches.

Later, all three children get into university, and Ye Qiuqiu fulfills her promise. Ready to leave after completing her mission, she finds the three kids blocking the door. “Mom, don't go.”

Gu Shiyu says, “Wifey, I still haven't become the richest man in the world. How about waiting a little longer?”

Ye Qiuqiu: ...

Later still, Ye Qiuqiu accidentally raises three little tycoons.

Zhou Fang dies on a mission. When he wakes, he is living on in his comrade's place. From then on, he can only be Gu Shiyu. He inherits a troublesome family and three children who grew up rolling around in the dirt, and no one is willing to help him.

At a matchmaking agency, he unexpectedly saves a young woman whose family is trying to trade her for 5,000 yuan in bride price. He takes her home and tells her, “I don't have 5,000 yuan right now, but I'll earn it. If you ever want to leave, I'll walk away with nothing.”

The young woman nods and devotes herself to building a life with him. Then, one day, she really does want to leave. Panicking, he comes up with a reason to keep her from ever leaving him: “Wifey, wait a little longer. I still haven't become the richest man in the world...”

Blurb for My Beautiful Wife in a Period Novel Awakens:

Ye Xin is the prettiest girl in Qingshan Village. Her mother dotes on her, her older brother protects her, and she has a crush on Jiang Zhong, an educated youth sent to the countryside.

On the day she confesses to Jiang Zhong, a mad old ox charges at her. Ye Xin suddenly awakens to the plot: she is in a period novel, and in the story to come, Jiang Zhong could save her but will stand by and let her die.

Ye Xin closes her eyes, thinking she might as well let the old ox send her flying and mess up the plot. But the next second, Jiang Zhong pulls her out of the charging ox's path and tells her that he came from ancient times. He even calls her “Master”!

Ye Xin thinks, Good thing I didn't confess to the Jiang Zhong who transmigrated here. She sees the young man from ancient times only as a little brother, with not a trace of romantic interest.

Jiang Zhong came from ancient times, and the first person he saw was the benefactor who had saved him. He instinctively addressed her as Master. Later, he got used to his new surroundings and learned that everyone here was equal, but some things hadn't changed: the more capable and successful a man was, the better his chances of winning a partner's hand.

But Ye Xin only sees him as a little brother. Every time he earns merit, wins an award, or makes money, she praises him with a “You're amazing,” and that's where it ends.

Jiang Zhong is injured while earning merit, and Ye Xin cares for him around the clock. As soon as he's better, Ye Xin is ready to leave again. Jiang Zhong hurriedly catches her finger and gathers his courage. “Ye Xin, I don't want to be just your little brother.”

Having awakened to the whole plot, Ye Xin refuses to follow it. She returns to the city and starts her own business. Making money is a joy, and her only headache is Jiang Zhong, who keeps showing up wherever she goes.

Thinking of him as the benefactor who saved her life, Ye Xin is very patient with him. She teaches him how to handle things and get by, and even how to use his strengths to earn merit.

Jiang Zhong is very respectful toward her, except for one thing: he loves ruining her matchmaking dates.

Someone introduces Ye Xin to a man, and Jiang Zhong turns up during their date yet again. Ye Xin has no choice but to introduce him. “This is my little brother.”

Jiang Zhong gives a cold smile. “The last man who believed that is still lying in a hospital bed. My girlfriend runs off to matchmaking events every time we argue. Sorry about that.”

Ye Xin: ... She finds Jiang Zhong to explain. “That man wasn't right for me. Did you deliberately chase him away?”

Jiang Zhong bites his lip until it bleeds. “No, he was great. But I don't want to be just your little brother.”

Theme: Raise children and build a fortune without sacrificing either