Let's Make a Separate List for Farming and Food Stories 种田/美食单开一个吧

1. 1 破 A Guide to Taking the Throne at a Failing Tourist Attraction: Farming 破产景区登基指南[种田] Springtime Tangerine春见柑Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Currently serializing: I Transmigrated into a Trash Incineration Plant and Generate Power Every Day [Farming] Xiang Yu takes over a run-down hot spring resort and the enormous iceberg behind it. The water here is hotter than a hot pot, the snowy mountains steeper than slides, and a group of employees with missing limbs are waiting for her to support them. Looking at the deaf Qingluan, mute merfolk, scorpion spirit with a severed tail, and the rest of the employees sent by the System, Xiang Yu a 51.4kFavorites52.9kClicks/ch240.7kGifts

   Curator note

   It looks great, it looks really good, believe me.

2. 2 主 A Guide to Surviving as the Principal Wife 主母生存指南 Cola Ginger Soup可乐姜汤Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Bad news: Zhu Mingli transmigrates into a book and becomes the matriarch of a feudal household. Her husband is cold and indifferent, and on their wedding night he receives orders to leave the capital. System: Host, please raise the male lead’s affection for you. You can exchange accumulated experience points for beauty pills and body-shaping pills to win his heart Zhu Mingli: Wait! Look at it from a different angle! This is clearly good news: the matriarch has power, her mother-in-law stays out 134.4kFavorites150.9kClicks/ch299.5kGifts

   Curator note

   I feel like I've struck it rich! I finished reading almost 1.2 Million words in two days! [Lying down] This is such a satisfying farming novel! The "satisfaction" isn't just about the rapid advancement in knowledge and technology, nor is it simply about the lack of villains and the lighthearted, less intriguing political plots. Rather, it's about the female protagonist seamlessly integrating modern management experience into the ancient setting, gradually building her business – the process is incredibly smooth. Initially, she's just trying to earn money to secure her future, and the human rights-based management philosophy is merely a supplementary means to increase productivity (and indeed, feudal society was incredibly exploitative). However, the modern ideology imbues her with a deeper understanding of life, and the genuine emotional experiences she gains from human interaction subtly guide her towards a path of governing and benefiting the people. You can sense the author's broad outline and solid writing style, full of detail. However, the ending feels rushed and somewhat strained towards the end. Personally, I feel it would have been around 500-600 chapters according to the outline. In short, it's not long enough! [Laughing emoji] Many farming stories involve modern people transmigrating into the bodies of ancient people, but this book is quite novel. It uses a past-life/present-life setting, where the female protagonist, born in ancient times, lives a modern life before returning to her original era to save herself and fulfill her dreams. It's a female-centric ancient farming story, and while using cheat codes for plot enjoyment is a basic trope in transmigration farming novels, this one feels more grounded and realistic. It genuinely uses advanced concepts and technologies to earn money and improve people's lives. You can clearly sense that the protagonist is working diligently, especially later on when you see echoes of current Chinese social welfare policies, which feels relatable. However, to be honest, some of the things the female protagonist does, especially the bookstore seminar that creates a public opinion field, might actually cause trouble in later dynasties or under the noses of some petty monarchs. The low presence of imperial power is also one of the reasons for the book's appeal [laughing emoji]. Speaking of cheat codes, I find the arrangement of this system quite interesting. It transforms from a mechanism that serves to please men into an aid to the female protagonist's career development under the impact of her career and the infiltration of her ideas. It also gradually develops intelligence as the female protagonist strives, making it a growth-type cheat code, hahaha. So the main characters in this book are all very upright, and most of the book is about building their careers. They don't get caught up in romance because they don't have time for it. The male lead is a tool in the early stages, but he becomes more like a dog later on. There are few romantic storylines, and the progress is very slow. They don't hold hands until chapter 170. But believe me, this dog-themed literature is delicious. The author's writing style and plot design have improved significantly compared to the previous food novel. The author has cited quite a few references, which shows that they have put in a lot of effort.

3. 3 平 The Most Ordinary Fourth Princess (Qing Dynasty Transmigration) 平平无奇四公主（清穿） Brilliant Galaxy银河灿烂Romance493k WordsCompleted 20.3kFavorites35.5kClicks/ch13.1kGifts

   Curator note

   This is my first time reading a Qing Dynasty-themed farming novel, and it's pretty good. The author's approach of adapting historical events is quite interesting. The protagonist has a lot of advantages, but the characters are still relatively grounded. The political intrigue in the second half is a bit cumbersome. Personally, I don't really want to see a power struggle among the princes in a farming novel. It would be better to develop the stories of the people around the female lead. For example, Zhou Qiniang's storyline felt a bit unfinished. As for the romance, well, the older sister/younger sister dynamic is still the older sister/younger sister dynamic [shy].

4. 4 酥 Sweetheart's Honeyed Delight (Food) 酥心蜜意（美食） Lotus Seed Boat莲子舟Romance666k WordsCompleted When Wei Jinyun transmigrates to the Northern Song, the original owner of her body has been dead for less than half an hour. White mourning cloth hangs everywhere. At home, only her elderly grandmother and two young sisters remain. Her uncles and other relatives put on a few fake sobs, then turn red in the face arguing over how to divide the family's old tiled house. Her grandmother has a tiled house that came with her dowry. It stands by the river, right in the heart of Pingjiang Prefecture. T 27kFavorites30.3kClicks/ch17.7kGifts

   Curator note

   This one's alright. It's a fictional story about time travel to ancient times to open a dessert shop, starting with Chinese pastries and later expanding to sweet soups and bread. Food and business management are the main themes, and the romance isn't as cloying as in the author's other books; it's sweet and quite enjoyable.

5. 5 明 Little Tastes of Life in the Ming Palace 明宫小食光 Brilliant Galaxy银河灿烂Romance351k WordsCompleted If transmigrating were a gacha game, Zhang Xianling would definitely have pulled an SSR. She transmigrated into the empress of Emperor Xiaozong of Ming, the heroine from the legendary "one husband, one wife, Emperor and Empress couple" story. Court intrigue? Not a chance. There won't be any women for her to fight with in this lifetime. She doesn't know how to flirt with the emperor, either. She can only pass the time by eating and drinking, playing and having fun. But as she ate and ate, the 46.2kFavorites124.5kClicks/ch24.4kGifts

   Curator note

   The protagonist transmigrates into the body of Empress Xiaozong, who undertakes modernization reforms in the Ming Dynasty. Her overpowered abilities make for a very enjoyable read. However, because the writing is smooth and historically accurate, there aren't any particularly mindless plot points. It's the kind of story you can enjoy without getting too caught up in the details. It's a heartwarming and lighthearted farming story (the food aspect isn't very prominent; the main focus is on the female lead's modern knowledge and her career development). Actually, I think it could be longer, with many parts that could be expanded.

6. 6 食 A Feast for Every Taste 食全食美 Little Sweet Potato少地瓜Romance944k WordsCompleted [Negative reviews from jealous haters. Comments are closed.] Shi Yanxing, queen of the food service industry, transmigrated. A leaky, dilapidated house. Broken windows letting in the wind. Old folks and little kids. Their entire fortune amounted to eighteen copper coins. What to do? Go back to her old line of work! From the Great Lu dynasty's first boxed lunch to her hundredth chain restaurant, Shi Yanxing created another food-service legend! A career-minded straight woman who has no interest i 154.1kFavorites310.8kClicks/ch340.1kGifts

   Curator note

   I get so hungry reading this late at night! Every time I flip to this book, I feel like going out for a meal – so exciting! [Laughing and crying emoji]

7. 7 大 The County Magistrate and the Young Coroner 大县令小仵作 Little Sweet Potato少地瓜Romance741k WordsCompleted Ping'an County is anything but peaceful. Bandits run rampant, until a county magistrate standing eight feet tall arrives and wipes them out in no time! One day, the magistrate gains a young and beautiful wife. She is well-read and a wonderful cook, has a sharp eye for clearing the names of the dead, and loves to tug on the magistrate's ear whenever she has a spare moment... The stern-faced magistrate shamelessly declares, "Now this is what married life is all about!" The people of the county 89.8kFavorites315.8kClicks/ch98.8kGifts

   Curator note

   This is an ensemble piece combining food and crime-solving. The female lead is a modern forensic doctor who travels to a fictional dynasty with a suitcase, while the male lead is a retired general. Crime-solving and cooking are the main plotlines, and the romance is a classic "hero saves the damsel in distress, love at first sight, and then falling for each other again" kind of story. It starts off with a sweet romance plot, and in fact, it does quite well later on [laughing emoji]. Occasionally, the plot twists are a bit over the top, like the female lead performing disembowelments and solving problems with unrealistic thinking. Surprisingly, no one seems to bother to investigate her true identity. It's a farming/settling story, so just enjoy it for fun [laughing emoji].

8. 8 晏 Constable Yan 晏捕头 Little Sweet Potato少地瓜Romance467k WordsCompleted A wok in her left hand, cooking up delicacies for the world; a knife in her right, uncovering injustices. From modern forensic pathologist to coroner in an ancient city, to the greatest female constable under heaven, Yan Jiao writes her own legend. And the man behind this successful woman, the Duke of Dingguo, finally gets to enjoy a quiet, retired life, tending to his wife and children and looking after the home. [No, cross that out!!] A modern female forensic pathologist and a semi-retired ge 32kFavorites104.7kClicks/ch52.3kGifts

   Curator note

   The second season of the coroner's story was a standalone book, extending the plot to the married life of the male and female leads, including work, childcare, and travel. The overall tone was quite light and cheerful, except for a minor regret regarding a supporting character's subplot.

9. 9 宋 A Little Song Dynasty Eatery 宋朝小食店 Xiu Yue Shiwu朽月十五Romance424k WordsCompleted [Blurb One] The Zhu Family Eatery is tucked away in a small alley in Bianjing. The eatery opens only at night. It is small, and its chef is a young woman with slender wrists who can nevertheless wield a heavy cleaver and toss an iron wok. Though young, she can cook by any method: stir-frying, roasting, searing, deep-frying, boiling, stewing, braising, steaming, curing, candying, skewering, pickling, and more. The Zhu Family Eatery brings together dishes from every corner of the land. Crucian 18.2kFavorites29.3kClicks/ch6.9kGifts

   Curator note

   A simple and sweet story about food that's very relaxing to read.

10. 10 长 A Little Eatery in Chang'an 长安小饭馆 Cherry Cake樱桃糕Romance336k WordsCompleted "Completed in September 2019" For information on the reprinted edition, please visit Weibo @A Jin Jia De Ying Tao Gao Fine rain and a gentle breeze, a little shop with a blue banner, a beautiful foreign barmaid. Fine wine from Xinfeng, tender greens and bamboo shoots, golden pickled fish. Lin Yan, Assistant Prefect of the Capital, turns his attention to the landlady, whose skin is as white as snow and whose eyes are like apricots. It’s truly sad and pitiful for a highborn lady to have fallen s 307.6kFavorites626.6kClicks/ch170.5kGifts

    Curator note

    One of the top novels of 2024, I've reread it at least five times. This is truly a masterpiece of food fiction, and one of the few ancient romance novels that I bought a physical copy to keep as a memento. The smooth plot and vivid characters go without saying, but I really love the author's writing style. It's perfectly suited to the era, possessing the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty while also having a touch of the free-spirited elegance of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The author strikes a great balance between literary flair and the dramatic tension necessary for a novel, while also maintaining meticulous research into the objects of description. It blends highbrow and popular appeal, giving the feeling of traveling back in time to read a traditional storybook. The author's style is somewhat reminiscent of romance novels from the 2010s, conveying a sense of depth and maturity. The overall plot is lighthearted, primarily revolving around the female protagonist's restaurant business. The character settings and romantic storylines are classic, yet surprisingly engaging. The focus is on the restaurant's success and the portrayal of the everyday life of the Tang Dynasty. The political intrigue is minimal, appearing much later and entirely focused on atmosphere. The female protagonist is optimistic and open-minded, while the male protagonist is gentle and refined—one like the bright spring sunshine, the other like pine trees by a stream—you can imagine how delicious their food must be! [Waving hand] *And a friendly reminder: Don't read this book with a cinematic or movie-like perspective; it's on a completely different level.

11. 11 汴 The Little Noodle Shop in Bianjing 汴京小面馆 Pine Snow Pastry松雪酥Romance729k WordsCompleted [Signed for publication. Follow @Haochide Songxuesu for publication updates.] Shen Miao transmigrated into the role of a discarded wife, cast out by her cruel mother-in-law. Her birth parents had died early, leaving behind only a burned-down, bankrupt noodle shop. And two younger siblings who had nearly starved to death. Everyone said she had a miserable life. Her ex-husband's family was eager to watch her make a fool of herself. But Shen Miao, whose grandparents, parents, and children had all b 186.4kFavorites236.1kClicks/ch335.7kGifts

    Curator note

    I have absolutely no resistance to food articles.

12. 12 唐 A Little Physician from the Tang Dynasty 唐朝小医娘 Pine Snow Pastry松雪酥Romance797k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Le Yao had finally opened a clinic for the blind and earned enough to support herself, only to die in a fire. When she opened her eyes again, she had transmigrated to the Tang dynasty. Then she heard a cold voice ordering someone to dig a pit and bury her. Le Yao: "...W-wait! Don't bury me just yet!!!" She desperately reached out and grabbed the man's robe. Looking up in alarm, she unexpectedly met a pair of eyes clear as snow on a mountain. The original owner was the daug 120.6kFavorites135.1kClicks/ch306.8kGifts

    Curator note

    I've been following the author since their first book, and I can see a significant improvement in their language and fluency. The traditional Chinese medicine theme is also excellent, making it a worthwhile read—a lighthearted farming novel.

13. 13 南 South Street Bakery [The 1990s] 南街面包店[九零] Pine Snow Pastry松雪酥Romance663k WordsCompleted [Signed for publication. Follow Weibo @Haoshide Songxuesu for publication updates and announcements.] Tao Tao only dozed off for a moment, and woke up back in 1997. That year, Hong Kong returned to China. She was eight, and everything was just as it had been. The family bakery hadn't gone under. Her stepmother, Aunt Yu, hadn't been driven away by her difficult, sharp-tongued self. And Yu Luan hadn't died. As the old sunlight streamed through the vintage glass display case in their home, she watc 116.3kFavorites128kClicks/ch289.4kGifts

    Curator note

    I stayed up all night to finish reading it, and I felt very lucky to have read this book as summer approached. The synopsis seemed a bit ordinary, and I wasn't particularly interested at first, just opening it with a casual attitude. But the main text surprised me; it wasn't just a straightforward, empty, and purely gratifying food novel. The author's portrayal of youth in the 1990s, the character sketches, and especially the undeniably vivid depiction of the characters' psychology, are all excellent. Moreover, after following the previous books, you can really see the author's improvement in writing skills. Each of the main characters has their own difficulties, but the author uses a very gentle narrative to blur the pain. The main storyline is the sincere feelings in the bittersweet youth and the female protagonist's family bakery business. The protagonist's family, especially the elders, possesses an attractive innocence. The clash between the middle-aged naiveté with truth, goodness, and beauty as its foundation and the youthful clarity and brightness perfectly softens the traces of suffering, giving the story a light and warm narrative quality that is also dramatic. I think the language and the three-dimensionality of the characters are the biggest improvements. The text, like flowing pictures, makes one feel as if they have returned to the summer of their own childhood, and the whole story has a vibrant vitality. The career path is a bit overly focused on farming and the protagonist's overpowered abilities, but it feels relatively natural. The author didn't deliberately strive for a complete plot, leaving some details about the protagonist's painful family background and his past life's cause of death unresolved, which makes the plot lighter. However, I personally think that sweet stories don't need too much attention to detail; if the main plot is well-developed, the gaps can be used for imagination. The main couple is the older sister and her puppy, and the secondary couple is the older sister and her devoted admirer [laughing emoji]. Both couples are redemption stories, and the secondary couple was quite captivating and left a deep impression on me, becoming even better later on. I've been following Songsong's books since her very first one, and each one gets better than the last. This one is probably my favorite so far. Songsong is the kind of author who makes you look forward to each of her "next books"!

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