Seasonal Delicacies

★ A cozy slice-of-life story about farming and food, unfolding at an unhurried pace

Dongyi was born into an ordinary family in the countryside of an ancient era.

The small bridges and flowing streams of Jiangnan, the picture-perfect scenery of a little town: it was the peaceful life she'd longed for but never been able to have.

Her father worked odd jobs in the county town, and her mother ran a stall in town. She followed her older brother, making soft, emerald-green mugwort rice cakes in spring, delicate and sweet with every bite; stuffing the tenderest lotus roots with glutinous rice in summer, then frying fresh river fish until golden and crisp; gathering fragrant osmanthus blossoms in autumn to make osmanthus syrup; and gathering around the stove in winter to drink tea and roast meat, then making glutinous rice balls filled with red bean paste and salted egg yolk.

Each season brought its own delicacies.

*

As the days went by, Dongyi happily ate and drank her fill, playing with the neighbors in her spare time or studying alongside them.

A school opened in town. The teacher was a refined, gentle gentleman with delicate, handsome features.

Dongyi was watching him, lost in thought, when she suddenly felt someone take her hand.

The young man who had grown up with her was still wearing the same unruffled expression, focused on his reading.

Beneath the desk, their hands intertwined without a sound. In a lull between the sonorous recitations, he leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Pay attention."

★ A few things to know:

1. A gentle, cozy slice-of-life story that unfolds at an unhurried pace, with farming and food. There are no heart-stopping plot twists or over-the-top villains.

2. The heroine was born into the ancient era with memories of a past life in the modern world, though they don't affect her much.

3. The main couple are childhood friends, and most of the supporting characters grew up together too. Everyone has a happy life of their own.

4. The dynasty is fictional, so no historical research is needed. All kinds of foods and seasonings are included.

Theme: A simple, peaceful life is what matters most.