Chen Xiuxiu

Biodata

Background

Chen Xiuxiu is one year younger than Jiang Feng and grew up beside his family. Raised by her frequently absent single father, Chen Duxiu, she regularly ate lunch and dinner at the Jiang family's small restaurant and played with Jiang Feng and his cousins; she was once mistaken for one of Jiang Feng's cousins. 2

As a child and high-school student, Xiuxiu had an exceptionally large appetite and was known by local food vendors. She particularly began meals with smashed cucumber salad and could eat several baskets of steamed dumplings at a time. 2 3 4

After entering university, Xiuxiu became preoccupied with dieting and lost a drastic amount of weight over roughly a year. She restricted herself to plain congee, practiced yoga, and showed signs of anorexia and self-induced vomiting. Her home was nearly devoid of food, apparently to keep herself from overeating. 2 3 6

Appearance

Xiuxiu changed so sharply after dieting that Jiang Feng initially almost failed to recognize her. Once tall and plump, she became thin, light, and visibly unhealthy. 2 4

• Formerly described as tall and plump, with a build the Jiang family considered sturdy. 2 3
• After dieting, she appeared sickly and listless; her complexion became sallow before regular meals improved it. 3 8
• Wore loose clothes, running shoes, and a ponytail when beginning her running routine with Jiang Feng. 4
• Has bangs that cover part of her face when she looks down. 6

Personality

Xiuxiu is stubborn about dieting and deeply afraid that taking a first bite will make her lose control of her eating. Even after enjoying food, she tends to regret it immediately and worry about calories. 2 4 5

She is also frank and comfortable around Jiang Feng due to their long friendship. Though initially embarrassed by her renewed appetite, she gradually returns to her old confidence, including competing with Jiang Feng for food at the table. 3 11

Her appetite ultimately proves stronger than her resolve. She has little resistance to food placed before her, especially food with an appealing aroma, and becomes increasingly willing to visit the Jiang household for meals. 6 8 11

Food Preferences and Eating Habits

• Sour smashed cucumber salad — Her favorite childhood dish; Jiang Feng's overly vinegary version is especially effective at prompting her to eat. 2 3 4
• Steamed dumplings — A familiar favorite from the vendors near No. 1 Middle School. 4
• Congee — Initially used as a stomach-friendly way to restore her eating habits; she becomes fond of Jiang Feng's preserved egg and lean pork congee and other varieties. 5 7 8
• Rich Jiang-family cooking — Regains an appetite for dishes such as Boneless Braised Chicken after Jiang Weiguo's meals. 10 11
• Chili sauce with plain rice — Enjoys the chili sauce Jiang Feng gives her before she leaves for university. 12

Relationships

• Jiang Feng — Childhood friend and next-door neighbor. Jiang Feng accepts a quest to help her return to normal eating habits, cooks for her regularly, and runs with her; their families occasionally mistake them for a couple. 2 4 5 8 10
• Chen Duxiu — Her father. He worries about her restrictive eating and asks others to help persuade her to eat. 2 7 10
• Jiang Jiankang — Jiang Feng's father and a longtime cook for Xiuxiu. He fondly remembers her former healthy, sturdy build. 2
• Wang Xiulian — Jiang Feng's mother. Xiuxiu eventually helps her with chores before the Jiang family's meals. 11
• Jiang Weiguo — Jiang Feng's grandfather. His cooking helps Xiuxiu resume regular eating, although he bluntly remarks that she is too thin. 10 11
• Dr. Chen — A local doctor who recognizes Xiuxiu and strongly reprimands her for dieting after she develops severe stomach pain. 5

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dieting and Health Crisis

Xiuxiu first appears refusing the rich dishes her father orders because she fears gaining weight. Jiang Feng makes her smashed cucumber salad, becoming the first person to get her to eat during this period. 2

Her restrictive habits cause her to become listless and develop stomach pain after eating a basket of steamed dumplings. Dr. Chen advises her to drink congee, take medicine, and resume normal eating. 3 5

Return to Normal Eating

Jiang Feng begins regularly cooking congee for Xiuxiu, using her recovery both to help her health and to progress his system quest. After several days of regular meals, her complexion improves and she starts seeking out his cooking herself. 6 8

Jiang Weiguo's arrival brings richer meals to the Jiang household. Xiuxiu gradually goes from being embarrassed to join them to arriving early, helping with chores, and openly competing for food. Her return to normal eating completes Jiang Feng's Neighbor's Wish sub-quest. 10 11

Departure for University

Before Xiuxiu leaves for university, Jiang Feng prepares a farewell meal for her. Having eaten Jiang Weiguo's cooking for days, she has become more discerning about Jiang Feng's dishes, but happily finishes her meal with Jiang Weiguo's chili sauce mixed into plain rice. 12

Trivia

• Xiuxiu's love of sour smashed cucumber salad comes from Jiang Feng repeatedly adding too much vinegar when preparing it for her as children. 3 4
• Jiang Feng's system identifies that she has “no resistance to food placed in front of her.” 6
• Her recovery is marked by her return to her old habit of skillfully snatching food from Jiang Feng's chopsticks. 11