[Everyday street life + food and business + two strong personalities sparring + love grows over time + business in an ancient setting]
Lu Wan is cast out after her fiancé breaks off their engagement, left with nothing but a rundown restaurant with a leaky roof in the most remote corner of the capital.
The neighbors laugh that she'll hang herself within half a month, but she rolls up her sleeves and sets up the wok.
Crispy fried pork, braised pork with preserved vegetables, crab roe buns, chicken with fish maw in golden broth...
The rich aromas lure even the capital's most discerning gourmands into this shabby alley.
To save on labor, she happens upon a handsome man dying in the snow and brings him back to work as a dishwasher.
The man is aloof and proud, and he breaks more than a dozen plates washing dishes.
After Lu Wan gives him a thorough scolding, he can only sulk and hold a fire poker as he watches the stove for her.
Then the owner of the capital's top restaurant brings thugs to smash the place up. The formerly wooden dishwasher casually tosses out a black jade token.
In an instant, thousands of Imperial Guards surround the restaurant. Their commander drops to one knee:
"Your subordinate was too late to rescue you. Please forgive me, Chief Minister!"
Lu Wan grips her spatula and watches the powerful man, who holds the court in his palm, calmly wash his hands before walking over to her with a faint smile.
"Boss, could you give me an extra ladle of broth with tonight's meat?"
