Co-Parenting Agreement for a Reorganized Family in the 1950s

(My next novel, The Pretty Wife in a Period Novel Awakens, is now underway. Please add it to your collection! The blurb is below.)

Blurb:

Jiang Zhen transmigrated from the apocalypse to the winter of 1949. Arriving in this world in person, Jiang Zhen blended in with a crowd of refugees. To obtain a legal identity, she took the place of a deceased woman who looked very much like her. In return, she took the woman's two children with her. On the way, she encountered an anti-bandit unit and helped care for several injured soldiers.

As soon as she arrived at the Fancheng base, the husband of the woman she had replaced, a son-in-law who had married into her family, sent over divorce papers to sever all ties.

Jiang Zhen promptly divorced him. In order to stay in Fancheng and support the two children she had taken in, she plunged straight into the local matchmaking scene.

Gu Liancheng died in an anti-bandit battle during the first year after liberation. After his death, his elder brother's two children both met tragic ends: one was raised by his fiancee into a murderer, and the other into someone hopelessly obsessed with romance. One died, and the other went mad.

Gu Liancheng was reborn on the day of the anti-bandit battle and returned to his unit alive. At his wedding, his fiancee made a scene and refused to marry him. Remembering what had become of his elder brother's children, he promptly divorced her. The children needed someone to look after them, so Gu Liancheng was forced to enter the matchmaking market.

He told his matchmaking prospects:

"I'll cover all the household expenses and give you thirty yuan a month, which you can spend however you like."

"We won't have children for ten years. After that, if you haven't left, you can manage my entire allowance, and we can have as many children as you want."

"I won't ask for a divorce lightly, but if you abuse the children, I'm sorry."

Several women he met on matchmaking dates angrily called him shameless: "Being good-looking doesn't give you the right to be shameless. With conditions like that, only a crazy woman would agree."

Next door, Jiang Zhen told her own matchmaking prospects:

"We won't have children for ten years. Once both our children are grown, if we want to, I might be willing to have one."

"You need to pay me a salary of thirty yuan a month. I'll cover half the household expenses, but you have to do half the housework."

"Please don't hit me or the children, or I might beat you to death."

Several men at the matchmaking market cursed Jiang Zhen out: "You're good-looking, but you've also got two burdens in tow. And you dare to demand such ridiculous conditions? What man would agree? He'd have to be out of his mind."

Gu Liancheng heard Qin Zhen's conditions. As soon as he got a chance, he hurried over and saluted her. "Comrade Jiang Zhen, would you be interested in a contract marriage to raise children together?"

Jiang Zhen nodded. They got their marriage certificate and began raising children at the garrison, settling into a life that exceeded both their expectations.

---- The Pretty Wife in a Period Novel Awakens is now underway:

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

The day she confesses to Jiang Zhong, a mad old ox charges at her. Ye Xin suddenly awakens to the plot and realizes she's in a period novel. In the story, Jiang Zhong could save her, but he would stand by and let her die.

Ye Xin closes her eyes, thinking she might as well let the old ox knock her flying and mess up the plot. But the next moment, Jiang Zhong grabs her and dodges the charging ox, saying he's transmigrated from ancient times and calling her "Master"!

Ye Xin thinks it's lucky she didn't confess to the Jiang Zhong who has been possessed. She sees the young man from ancient times as nothing more than a little brother and has no romantic feelings for him.

Jiang Zhong transmigrated from ancient times. The first person he saw was his benefactor, who had saved his life, and he instinctively addressed her as his master. Later, he got used to his surroundings and learned that everyone was equal here, but some things were still true: the more capable and successful a man was, the more advantage he had when seeking a partner.

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

Jiang Zhong is injured while earning a merit, and Ye Xin takes care of him day and night. As soon as he recovers, Ye Xin is about to leave again. Jiang Zhong quickly catches her finger and gathers his courage. "Ye Xin, I don't want to be just your little brother."

Having awakened to the entire plot, Ye Xin refuses to follow it and returns to the city to become a self-employed businesswoman. Making money makes her happy. Her only headache is Jiang Zhong, who keeps turning up in front of her for no reason.

Remembering that Jiang Zhong saved her life, Ye Xin is very patient with him. She teaches him how to handle things and survive, and even how to use his talents to earn merit.

Jiang Zhong respects her a lot. There's just one problem: he loves ruining her matchmaking dates.

Someone introduces Ye Xin to a potential match, and Jiang Zhong shows up again during the date. 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 partner likes to run off to the matchmaking market whenever we argue. Sorry you had to see that."

Ye Xin: ... She finds Jiang Zhong to explain. "That man wasn't a good match. Did you deliberately scare him off for me?"

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

Theme: Be self-reliant and strong, move forward together, and build a better future