My Childhood Friend Is the Male Lead of a Period Novel

Lin Xiaomo is transported to the 1970s. Growing up in a household where both parents have jobs, she is spoiled by her father and adored by her mother. Her childhood is blissful, and at the age of seven, she is enrolled in kindergarten.

Just as she thinks she is destined to become a rising star of her era, she meets Zhou Jingming, a boy from a poor family, and learns that she is living inside a novel.

Zhou Jingming is the chosen one of this world, the male lead.

Watching Zhou Jingming become a coal tycoon, step by step, Lin Xiaomo can't hide her envy. Then inspiration strikes: Why not ride his coattails?

From then on, Lin Xiaomo becomes Zhou Jingming's shadow.

In the book: Zhou Jingming buys a pile of stuffed toys, meets a benefactor, and makes a fortune.

Lin Xiaomo also spends her pocket money on a pile of stuffed toys, then sells them to Zhou Jingming...

In the book: Zhou Jingming saves a benefactor and becomes his godson.

Lin Xiaomo decides to get there first and runs into the benefactor...

As the coincidences pile up, Lin Xiaomo realizes something is off and decides to change tactics. And so things turn into this:

Zhou Jingming happens to need a piece of clothing, and Lin Xiaomo "just happens to be passing by."

Zhou Jingming is about to starve to death, and Lin Xiaomo "just happens to be passing by."

Zhou Jingming..., and Lin Xiaomo "just happens to be passing by."

At last, Zhou Jingming can no longer take it and demands, "What exactly do you want?"

Lin Xiaomo's eyes dart around. "My mom says I should learn from the outstanding people around me!"

She is convinced that if she keeps following Zhou Jingming and scooping up the opportunities he leaves behind, she'll become the next coal tycoon!

Zhou Jingming hesitates, figuring it's better to have her follow him openly than sneak around, and agrees.

But how did she go from being the queen of bargain hunting to becoming the coal tycoon's wife?

Lin Xiaomo's bargain-hunting diary:

A business partner from the south? I'll scoop them up!

A big shot in politics? I'll scoop them up!

A glittering gold ring? I...?

Zhou Jingming: I'll pick it up for you!

Next up: "Comrade Xu, Please Behave Yourself [The 1970s]"

Xia Huan is the outstanding heir to the Xia family. Just as she is about to take over the family business, she is suddenly transported to the impoverished 1970s.

Xia Huan's response: The strong don't complain about their circumstances.

But when she sees the leaky tiled-roof house, her unemployed and despondent father, her bedridden mother, and her little brother who can't afford to go to school, she falls silent.

To lift her family out of poverty, Xia Huan decides to start from scratch (and start with debt).

With the family's last few yuan, she sets up a little stall. Her silver tongue makes customers smile and laugh as she spins one tale after another.

As business gradually picks up, Xia Huan thinks that in less than five years, she'll have built the Xia Corporation!

Then the Bureau of Industry and Commerce cracks down on individual businesses, and Xia Huan is promptly arrested.

Thinking of her family's miserable situation, Xia Huan forgets everything else, grabs the man's sleeve, and weeps as if her heart is breaking. "My father's unemployed, my mother's sick, my brother's still in school, and we're all falling apart. If you confiscate everything, how will our family survive?"

Looking at the tearful young woman before him, Xu Jingyan can't bear to turn her away. He looks to the team leader. "Didn't you say the textile mill needs a female worker? Let her work there."

Xia Huan, who is suddenly hired at the textile mill: There's a job like that just waiting for me?

She casts a sidelong glance at the handsome, wealthy (and easily fooled) Xu Jingyan. Her Xia Corporation could really use Comrade Xu's help.

With the times in turmoil, Xu Jingyan's father sends him to gain experience in the county seat. He works diligently and has a good attitude, earning a steady stream of praise.

Then he arrests a young woman for "speculation and profiteering." Sniffling, she accuses him of cutting off her family's livelihood, and looks utterly pitiful.

Unable to bear it, he finds her a job at the textile mill. From then on, the girl sticks to him.

"Comrade Xu, the wall at home has collapsed. Can you help me?"

"Comrade Xu, I heard you did well in school. Could you tutor me?"

"Comrade Xu..."

Watching the girl call out to him so sweetly, Comrade Xu falls for her. After work, he starts riding his bicycle to pick her up.

The Xia family goes from not having enough to eat to becoming the county's first family with ten thousand yuan in savings. They have a newly built house and a tidy courtyard, and their neighbors turn green with envy, all praising Old Xia for raising such a wonderful daughter.

With Xu Jingyan constantly showing up at the Xia family's home, rumors are bound to spread.

Xu Jingyan feels he can't put it off any longer. They've been together for so long, it's time to make things official.

Xia Huan also feels she can't put it off any longer. She's taken advantage of him for long enough; continuing to string him along would be rude.

So he takes Xia Huan by the hand and solemnly lays the family documents on the table. But before he can say a word, Xia Huan speaks first:

"Comrade Xu, the neighbors are already gossiping. I'm not in the mood to date anyone right now, so maybe you shouldn't come by anymore."

Xu Jingyan's hand freezes as he holds the documents. The sky is falling!

A career-focused heroine vs. a male lead who falls for her through wishful thinking

Theme: Live life well.