I Pretend to Be a Good Person in the 1970s

In his previous life, Wei Xin died on a metal bed in a nursing home, covered in bedsores, with no one even there to claim his body.

As he took his last breath, he stared at a water stain on the ceiling and finally understood: his whole life had been ruined by one word: stubbornness.

He’d fought with his father, fought against fate, and fought the whole damn world. He’d spent a lifetime fighting until he landed in the crematorium.

When he opened his eyes again, it was 1974. He was fourteen, and his grandmother had just passed away.

He looked at the shiny bald head in front of him and smiled.

Fine. This time, he wouldn’t fight. His scumbag father loved acting like a lord? He’d set the stage and let the man enjoy himself.

When his father drank, Wei Xin poured the liquor. When his father cursed, Wei Xin chimed in. He told everyone, “My dad loves me more than anything,” until the whole commune knew they had the most filial son around. His father lounged with his legs crossed, sipping wine and humming contentedly.

No one knew that Wei Xin was quietly and cheerfully transferring the money, favors, and good neighborly reputation into his own hands, bit by bit.

By the time his father realized what was happening and tried to turn on him

Wei Xin was already kneeling outside the door of Old Master Peng, heir to the imperial chefs, with the family’s ancestral kitchen cleaver in hand.

“Teach me to cook, and I’ll take care of you until the end. From now on, you’ll be my real dad.”

Old Master Peng puffed on his pipe and squinted at him through the smoke. “Are you asking to be my apprentice or trying to kidnap me?”

Wei Xin grinned from ear to ear. “Whatever you say.”

-

In 1977, the college entrance exams were reinstated. The first person in the entire commune to get into college was him.

In 1980, he went into business, and the sign for Four Seas Restaurant went up along half the street.

The people who had trampled on him, laughed at him, and treated him like a joke in his previous life now craned their necks to look up at him, their faces clearly saying, “This isn’t how the story’s supposed to go.”

Only the kitchen hands knew that the boss still stood at the stove flipping food in a wok at three in the morning, and wouldn’t leave no matter how much they begged.

Only Old Master Peng knew how sweetly this kid called him “Dad,” while there wasn’t a hint of warmth in his eyes.

Someone came over with a glass of wine. “Seriously, don’t you hate your real father?”

Wei Xin kept working his spatula without even looking back, his smile bright and friendly. “Why would I hate him? He’s my dad, after all, ”

The whole room burst into applause.

A few people in the kitchen shivered in unison.

No one saw how steady the hands flipping food behind the stove were, as if cast in iron.

Only the cleaver on the chopping board flashed coldly.

-

[Bonus scene]

Later, his scumbag father got drunk and fell into a ditch. When people carried him home, he grabbed Wei Xin’s hand and cried, “Son, I know you hate me, ”

Wei Xin wiped his face with a touch as gentle as if soothing a child. “Dad, what are you talking about? You’re the one I care about most.”

Under the light, his smile was tender beyond words.

His father sobered up halfway through his drunken stupor.

-

[Reader’s guide]

✦ The male lead is ruthless, but puts on the appearance of a devoted son.

✦ He always gets revenge, shows no mercy to scumbags, and delivers plenty of catharsis and nonstop excitement.

✦ Career progression from chef to restaurant mogul | Period piece × food × comeback

✦ The male lead has a love interest. He rekindles his relationship with his wife from his previous life (the romance is sweet but doesn’t take center stage).

✦ Content warning: The male lead genuinely has no heart. Don’t expect him to forgive anyone, including himself.

Theme: After being reborn, turn over a new leaf and pursue your dreams.