Back to 1984: Starting with a Street Food Stall

After a lonely and bitter death at his food stall, street vendor Su Ping opens his eyes to find himself miraculously rebirthed in the summer of 1984. In this timeline, his father is still a master chef at the state-owned restaurant, his mother is alive, their family courtyard has not yet been usurped by greedy relatives, and the tragic illness that claimed his parents' lives has yet to strike. Armed with decades of culinary experience from his past life, Su Ping resolves to change his destiny. Starting with a humble iron wok and a basket of fiery ghost peppers that others dare not touch, he sets out to protect his family and build a prosperous life. From crispy, sweat-inducing spicy chicken wings and golden, juicy iron-griddle cold noodles to secret-recipe skewers, refreshing summer jelly, and aromatic spicy crawfish, his unassuming roadside stand instantly draws massive lines of workers, students, and local officials. Years later, as his hometown evolves into a renowned culinary capital, Su Ping declines lucrative offers to open grand restaurants in the provincial capital, choosing instead to stay in his courtyard, cook comforting food, and cherish his parents—even if the entire county threatens a playful uprising every time he tries to take a day off.