Four Seasons, Three Meals, and a Little Courtyard

The old house, which was supposed to be demolished, suddenly got taken off the demolition list. Her uncles argued endlessly over whether to put Grandma in a nursing home.

Xia Qing decided to quit her job, leave the big city, and return to her hometown to look after Grandma and start a business from scratch!

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In Anhuai Ancient Town, the clear river divided the town into two distinct sides.

On the left bank stood residential courtyards built in the 1960s, tucked away in quiet, deserted alleys.

On the right bank was a bustling commercial street, with thriving businesses and bright lights that stayed on late into the night.

One day, a pretty young woman pushed a cart piled with tiramisu out of an alley. Twinkling star lights hung from the cart, and a small chalkboard read: One spoonful for 15 yuan!

Her stall was open!

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When the neighbors saw Xia Qing making money, they all followed suit.

Xia Qing gave them ideas: pork wontons, a secret-recipe one-pot feast, flower wine, handmade rice noodles, caramelized baked pears...

Don't know how to do any of that? Then livestream and promote everyone's businesses.

Gradually, the alley came to life. Tourists began coming from far and wide, and Xia Qing finally opened her own café in the deep alley and became a barista.

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Life isn't just about making one choice.

At 28, Xia Qing didn't stay at a big corporation and keep grinding away. Instead, she returned to her hometown to be by her grandmother's side.

She grew flowers, played with the dog, and chatted with the neighbors.

She figured out how to make the business thrive and what to eat for dinner.

Life is what you make it, and the good days are still ahead!

Family life / grandmother and granddaughter's daily lives / street-stall economy / business and everyday life take center stage, with little focus on romance

A wordy guide for readers:

1. This is a realistic story. I researched the family life, business background, and story details.

2. The female lead's romance is minimal, though it is there. It isn't an indispensable part of her life.

By the end of the story, she may still be on her own, but that doesn't mean she hasn't experienced anything. I haven't worked out this part in detail or decided what kind of partner she should have.

I know this isn't very romance-novel-like and may even lack the basic elements of female-oriented fiction. Readers who mind this should think carefully before reading. If you're interested in plot-driven stories and personal growth, give it a try.

[This is categorized as contemporary drama, not contemporary romance.]

3. To me, 28 is an age when everything is just right: you start to gain a clearer understanding of life, learn to accept and compromise, and try to make changes and pursue what you want. Of course, it's never too late to do what you want, no matter how old you are. That's mainly what I want to tell with this story.

Theme: Food heals the heart. Love life, and life will love you back.