The story takes place in an ordinary courtyard house in the capital, home to several families with very different personalities. Lin Yu, the protagonist, is a young man who transmigrates with memories of the modern world. In an era of scarce supplies and complicated relationships, he begins a life all his own. The courtyard is full of conflicts and disputes: Yi Zhonghai, the First Master, appears fair but harbors selfish motives in his family affairs; Silly Zhu, He Yuzhu, is a gifted cook who is constantly being manipulated; Qin Huairu is both shrewd and struggling, while Xu Damao is caustic and mean. With his modern knowledge and cleverness, Lin Yu makes a place for himself in the courtyard. He helps his neighbors solve problems, matches wits with everyone, and works toward his own ideals. Along the way, he finds true love and joins the people of the courtyard in composing, through the long years, a song of life filled with laughter and tears, struggle and warmth, witnessing the courtyard's rise and fall amid changing times.
