After taking care of his grandfather's funeral, Gu Zhao planned to travel and clear his head. But just as he stepped outside, he was in a car accident. When he opened his eyes again, he had become Gu Zhao, a boy in a small mountain village.
Gu Zhao's parents had been married for years without a child. They listened to a Daoist priest and adopted him, then went on to have two sons of their own. As his younger brothers grew up, Gu Zhao's life became harder and harder. All the dirty, tiring chores fell to him, and he still never got enough to eat.
Later, on his way home from work, Gu Zhao ran into bandits and was gravely injured. His adoptive parents refused to pay the exorbitant medical expenses and sent him away while he was still recovering. Beset by physical and emotional blows, Gu Zhao came down with a high fever and died the very night he was sent away. Gu Zhao, who had come from another world, took over his body.
After receiving the original owner's memories, Gu Zhao looked up at the thatched hut about to collapse, felt the wounds on his body, and thought about the few possessions he had left: two hundred copper coins and a chipped cleaver. He was at a loss for words. Maybe he should just die again?
But dying wasn't an option. Gu Zhao figured he could scrape by somehow. He had been born in the age of information overload, after all. Surely he wouldn't starve to death.
Before long, a peddler appeared in the villages and towns. His wares included tasty little dried fish, crispy fried twists, egg cakes, popcorn, and other delicious snacks, as well as soap, toothbrushes, face powder, and all kinds of novel trinkets.
The year Song Zhizhi turned twelve, he accidentally hit his head and became a little slow-witted. Though his family protected him, he was still inevitably mocked and bullied.
One day, Song Zhizhi noticed that a new big brother had moved in next door. The big brother would scold the people who bullied him and knew how to make all kinds of delicious food and fun things... Song Zhizhi began following him around all the time.
Gu Zhao, who was absorbed in making money, realized he had acquired a little tagalong. The tagalong had rosy lips and pearly teeth, was innocent and carefree, and called him "big brother" so sweetly every time.
At first, Gu Zhao said, "Song Zhizhi, you can't keep following me. Men and male spouses shouldn't be too familiar with each other. People will gossip."
Later, he said, "Uncle Song, I heard you're looking for a live-in son-in-law. What do you think of me? I can do laundry and cook, and I can make money. I have no bad habits."
"Zhizhi, you have to stay by my side. Don't smile at other men, and don't call anyone else big brother. Understand?"
[Reading Guide]
1. Childbirth, childbirth, childbirth!
2. Zhizhi will get better later.
Theme: Hard work brings prosperity.
