"A poised, max-level green tea heroine × a rough-and-ready chef who dotes on his wife"
"An immensely satisfying family saga × a sweet romance set in a bygone era, with both falling for each other"
A steady stream of face-slapping for the hypocritical white lotus, enough to infuriate Qin Huairu!
This is a satisfying period novel based on Love in the Courtyard.
Set in a Beijing courtyard from 1962 to 1982, it tells the story of Liu Manyiao, the widow of a first-class hero, who uses her emotional intelligence and "tactful tea artistry" to turn the tables, one step at a time, amid everyday family squabbles.
She faces one challenge after another from the Jia family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, as well as the established pattern of Qin Huairu manipulating Silly Zhu and leeching off him year after year.
Liu Manyiao neither throws tantrums nor curses people out. Instead, she uses her status as the widow of a martyr to command respect.
She gives and takes in equal measure, exposing how shamelessly the others behave, while repeatedly beating the Jia family to resources and connections.
She trains Silly Zhu, once so easily manipulated, into a man who fiercely protects his wife. The two tease and pursue each other as their romance grows, repeatedly hitting Qin Huairu right in her jealous heart.
The story spans twenty years of life and bustle.
From the daily give-and-take in the courtyard to workplace battles at the steel mill, from taking charge of the courtyard's affairs to protecting friends and home during turbulent times,
Liu Manyiao eventually fulfills her dream of starting a business after the reform and opening up.
The Jia family schemes all their lives, only to end up in ruin.
Liu Manyiao, meanwhile, finds success in both her career and love, becoming the most dignified winner in the whole courtyard and showcasing the wisdom of women surviving in that era.
Super beautiful and interesting😄😄😄