Transmigrating to 1983

It was quite good. Reading a sincere portrayal of the main lead and a couple who communicate effectively was really enjoyable.

Midway through, however, it seemed like their relationship and professional endeavors had reached a certain point, and the story started to lose its interesting edge for me. Much of the detail was focused on frequent romantic and intimate scenes, which, while appealing to some, did not advance the plot and became repetitively tiresome for me personally. The professional aspects felt more summarized than before, and that had been a significant part of what I enjoyed in the first half of the story. It felt like the author was primarily providing standard happy endings to the main supporting characters, which is nice if you appreciate everything tying up neatly, but it made the story feel directionless and uninteresting.

I ended up skimming the last 30 chapters. However, I chose to skim rather than abandon the story because I liked the characters and wanted to see them through to the end.

There were several minor irritants that are common in Chinese webnovels—like the tendency to establish a hierarchy among the male friendship group, with the main lead always at the top and friends deferring to him. This isn't a major issue, but it can drag an otherwise decent story down for me. There are many other small, commonly found elements that readers of this genre will recognize and may or may not find as tiresome as I do. At least, the more selfish family members didn't constantly scheme and maneuver for advantages, which was a relief.

, the story has a good tone and a mostly engaging plot. The core characters have strong relationships with each other, and it's refreshing to see different industries represented. It's very easy to read, and the main couple tends to succeed smoothly and overcome challenges without much struggle (though I wished there had been more genuine challenges and struggles). If you enjoy a lot of fluff and couple moments, you'll get plenty of them. I wanted more from the second half, but it lost its momentum and focused on comfortable aspects that I wasn't as interested in, while glossing over the elements I found more compelling.

I haven't read such a fulfilling, heartwarming, and soulful story in a long time. It has been a wonderful journey to see all the kids grow up and start their own families... This grandma is so, so, so, so happy!!!

Thank you, dear author, for writing such a sweet and beautiful journey of these friends. As you grow from childhood to adulthood, you realize how rare it is to have such a strong bond of brotherhood among friends.

It has been a challenging yet deeply satisfying journey. I can't express my feelings enough. Just go and read it; you'll have happy tears in your eyes at the end. I loved every single character in this story, not just the main couple. There were no side characters I could forget. Each character is so three-dimensional, and all their relationships are intricately woven together, yet they remain beautifully complex. They all work toward the same goal and trust each other implicitly. It's just so wonderful.

At the end, I'll just say THANK YOU!!!

I LOVED IT!!

TRULY!!!

Personal rating 5.0, why? Because they are so incredibly sweet, perfectly meeting my expectations for 80s danmei. The main character doesn’t have an unrealistic golden finger but possesses genuine talent, and the story’s development aligns well with historical context. Although there’s no antagonist and the supporting characters are all positive, it doesn’t make the story boring. Instead, it’s filled with anticipation, and the plot’s logic is consistent with realistic speculation. The ending was a chef's kiss *muach*

Mutual doting couple! I love it!!

The main characters are well-developed, making them feel multidimensional and real. I appreciate how they skip the shy phase and dive right into the more intimate scenes.

What really stands out is how the couple communicates and understands each other, especially when one of them is upset. They know exactly how to make each other happy, and it’s incredibly endearing to see that any unhappiness never lasts more than a chapter. There are no random jealous misunderstandings or unnecessary drama because they actually talk things through!

It’s also refreshing to see a business novel that doesn’t start with grand investments or a small roadside snack stall. While it might not be the best 20th-century transmigration novel I’ve read, it hits all the right spots, and I’m giving it 5 stars as of chapter 45. I’m surprised the ratings are lower than 4.3 because it’s a pretty good novel.

I could probably finish the raws, but I’ll wait for the translations because I enjoy reading the footnotes.

Edit: I came back to finish it now that the translations are complete. My thoughts haven’t changed. I love this!

This is so good! Like Olooki before me (thanks for the review that led me to reading this gem!), I started with the first few translated chapters, then read the rest of the novel using Google Translate.

No misunderstandings, no unnecessary drama, no contrived accidents to drive the plot. The characters are excellent communicators and have a deep understanding of each other. Even when their feelings aren't mutual, they are aware of this and give their consent. They also respect each other's pasts, waiting patiently for the other to share when they're ready, without pushing.

A significant part of the novel focuses on their love while navigating the challenges of doing business in a growing economy. It also delves into the social issues of the time, such as the need to hide their relationship, which was considered illegal under the broad term "hooliganism," a law that wasn't repealed until 1997.

**Spoiler**
It was truly touching when the law was finally removed, and the first thing they thought of doing was walking outside, holding hands openly for the first time after being married for 14 years.
**[collapse]**

Another aspect I appreciated about the novel is that while the main character is powerful and talented, his skills and knowledge are well-explained by his background and interests. He doesn't simply copy works from the future but creates his own original content, leveraging his foresight to produce something fresh and innovative.

This novel encompasses a multitude of themes. It's a decade-long romance, a tale of brotherhood as men grow together, navigating life's pleasures and trials. It explores China's transformation, particularly regarding the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and the challenges they faced in a less accepting society. The narrative also delves into the evolution of trade during this period, highlighting why some individuals found greater success by focusing on international markets.

The insights into the LGBTQ+ community throughout the story were truly fascinating. I've often wondered about the treatment of queer individuals and whether it was safe for them to be out. This book provided answers to many of those questions.

While a few readers have mentioned that the story might have extended a few chapters too far, this minor issue only slightly reduces my rating from a perfect 5 to a 4.5. The deep and compelling relationship between the main characters more than compensates for any slight drag in pacing.

Many thanks to ReeaM at KnoxT for an excellent translation.