Song Xinran, a professional chef confined to bed after a severe car accident, spends her days reading novels to pass the time. Upon finishing a story about a tragic male supporting character named Song Yu, she dies and transmigrates into the novel. She awakens as the biological mother of Song Yu, a role she recognizes from the book. In the original narrative, Song Yu was raised by his aunt after his parents died, enduring poverty and neglect while his cousin was favored. Despite his gentle nature and devotion to the female lead, he died alone at twenty-seven after cutting ties with his exploitative family. Song Xinran vows to change his fate and provide him with the love and care he was denied.
The story begins in the early 2000s, where Song Xinran works in a glass factory. Her body is weak and malnourished, a result of overwork and poverty. She discovers that the factory has not paid wages for two months, a sign of financial trouble. When her supervisor forces her to cover a night shift despite her poor health, Song Xinran refuses and resigns, a stark contrast to the original host who would have accepted any burden to earn extra money. Her roommates, Chen Jingfang and Xu Sha, react with confusion and concern, but Song Xinran is resolute. She plans to leave the factory and start her own business using her culinary skills.
Song Xinran returns to her sister Song Xinwen’s home in Shiyan Village to retrieve her three-year-old son, Song Yu. Upon arrival, she witnesses Cai Yang, her nephew and Song Yu’s cousin, bullying the timid boy over a piece of candy. Song Xinran intervenes, asserting authority and demanding an apology, which unsettles her sister and brother-in-law. She then prepares a meal using ingredients she bought at the market, including pork lungs, fish, and tofu. The delicious aroma draws praise from her family, revealing her exceptional cooking abilities. Her brother-in-law, Cai Yongde, recognizes the value of her skills and suggests she stay to cook for him, though Song Xinran has bigger plans.
Song Xinran decides to take Song Yu to live in Lingde Town. She explains to her son that they will move, and he eagerly agrees, hoping for a better life. She takes him to their old, abandoned home to gather belongings. The house is dilapidated, with corn stalks blocking the door and dust covering the interior. Song Yu follows her like a shadow, eager to help. Inside, Song Xinran searches for usable items, finding a wardrobe that still holds some of her previous possessions. She plans to rent a small apartment in town, secure a kitchen, and open a food stall or restaurant. Her goal is to provide Song Yu with a stable, loving environment where he can thrive, free from the hardships that defined his original life. The narrative sets the stage for Song Xinran to rebuild her life through cooking, using her professional expertise to create opportunities for herself and her son.
