Siheyuan: Bringing Prosperity to the Neighboring Sisters

In 1979, Lin Chuan opened his eyes to find himself the poorest tenant in Courtyard No. 11 on Yushu Lane. He had only 12.2 yuan in his pocket. The courtyard was home to Gu Chunmei, a sharp-tongued widow; Song Manyun, raising a child on her own; and Liu Qing, a nurse who wouldn't tolerate the slightest wrongdoing. He understands the market and knows how to spot a bargain, digging up his first fortune among worthless old cloth, secondhand goods, and scarce essentials. Others see nothing but trouble, but he knows how to bring dead stock back to life. While others cling to their fixed wages, he's already sensing the pulse of a market coming back to life. He isn't afraid of going slowly; he's afraid of being poor. As his business grows, so do the old neighbors looking to take advantage and the competitors trying to muscle in. He makes money while filling the days in his three-courtyard home with warmth and bustle. Each time he returns to the courtyard with money and news, the lights behind all three windows gradually begin to shine for him.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.