Reclaiming The Family Fortune, The Young Miss Returns From Overseas To Break Off The Engagement And Go Down To The Countryside

Ji Shuyin was once the privileged only daughter of a prosperous and powerful family, with a father holding a high position, a mother as a core member of a research institute, and an older brother and sister-in-law who were educated abroad with important posts. Her life changed when her parents were sent down to the countryside and her brother and sister-in-law lost their positions, forcing her to become dependent on the Gu family. Her father had arranged her marriage to Gu Yuncheng, his former subordinate and her classmate, so she moved into the Gu home after her family's fall. Gu Yuncheng immediately began pressuring her to give the coveted job of a salesperson at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative—a job left to her by her parents—to Tang Weiyu, a classmate who had once saved his life. In that era, such a job was a ticket to scarce goods and status, making it an invaluable asset.

Ji Shuyin fell into a sleep and had an extremely vivid and realistic dream. In the dream, she yielded to Gu Yuncheng’s demands and transferred the job to Tang Weiyu. Instead of gratitude, Gu Yuncheng signed her up for the program sending educated youth to the countryside. She spent three years doing hard labor with no support from home, while others received occasional packages. She managed to return to the city by passing the college entrance examination, only to discover that Gu Yuncheng had married Tang Weiyu. The two of them had claimed the treasures left by her ancestors for themselves. When the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was privatized and Tang Weiyu lost her job, she set her sights on Ji Shuyin’s university spot. Completely isolated with no one to rely on, she was burned to death by them. The culprits used the family wealth to start businesses and became well-known wealthy merchants. The dream felt too real, and many details aligned with her current reality, forcing her to become wary.

When she woke up from the dream, she was still disoriented. Gu Yuncheng stood beside her, speaking impatiently and trying to manipulate her into giving up the job. With a sudden surge of anger, Ji Shuyin sprang from the bed and slapped him. He was completely caught off guard. She questioned him about why she should give her security to Tang Weiyu, but he responded by morally blackmailing her, praising Tang Weiyu’s hardships and claiming she herself had enjoyed a life of luxury. Ji Shuyin refused to be swayed and argued fiercely. The situation escalated until Tang Weiyu burst into the room, claiming she was the cause of the dispute and pleading for peace. Ji Shuyin saw through her pretense and accused her of eavesdropping. Tang Weiyu played the victim, and Gu Yuncheng immediately defended her, reinforcing Ji Shuyin’s suspicion that their relationship was inappropriate.

During the confrontation, Ji Shuyin noticed Tang Weiyu wearing a jade pendant that had been given to Gu Yuncheng as a token of their engagement. This pendant was a family heirloom, and in the dream, it had been a storage space that the villainous couple used to achieve great wealth and status. Ji Shuyin demanded its immediate return, but Tang Weiyu was reluctant, claiming she just liked it. Gu Yuncheng tried to minimize the issue, calling her petty. Ji Shuyin enumerated all the things Tang had “borrowed” without returning, including many of her own clothes and shoes. Seeing that Tang would not give it up willingly, Ji Shuyin feigned a change of heart and hinted that she might give away the job after all if the matter was handled properly. Tang Weiyu quickly took the bait, removing the pendant and handing it over with a placating gesture. Once it was in her hands, Ji Shuyin rushed both of them out of the room, locking herself inside.

After ensuring she was alone, Ji Shuyin retrieved her sewing box and pricked her finger with a fine needle, smearing the blood onto the jade pendant. A strong light absorbed her into the pendant’s hidden space. She found herself in a paradise-like area that looked like a small farmhouse courtyard. There were five main rooms of blue brick and several side rooms, all under a plaque reading “Ji Residence.” She realized this truly was a legacy left by her ancestors. With this hidden treasure and the warning from her dream, she understood she now had the opportunity to rewrite her fate. She would not repeat her previous mistakes. She would use the space to secure her own survival and future, and to ensure that Gu Yuncheng and Tang Weiyu would never be able to steal her life or her family’s legacy again. Her story turned from one of helpless descent into one of determined redemption.