Xia Yao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xia Yao (夏瑶)
Alias(es)	Yaoyao
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Sichuan Fine Arts Academy, Department of Arts and Crafts
Occupation/Role	Arts-and-crafts student; interior-design major
Hometown	Hangzhou, Zhejiang; ancestral home in Zhoushan 10 15
Family	Niece of Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe 5 7
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 5 (mentioned as the girl rescued by Zhou Yan)

Background / History

Xia Yao traveled to Suji to visit relatives while also sketching from life. While painting near the Qingyi River at Bailatuo, she accidentally fell into the dangerous water and nearly drowned. Zhou Yan, despite being unable to swim, pulled her to safety. The incident left her weak, frightened, and unable to eat for more than a day. 5 7

Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe struggled to restore her appetite until Zhou Yan sent Braised Pork Rib Noodles to their home. The aroma and taste of the dish overcame her food aversion; she finished the entire serving, regained color, and resolved to thank Zhou Yan personally. 7

She later visited Zhou Erwa Restaurant with Meng Anhe, bringing gifts for Zhou Yan and his family, including an imported Parker fountain pen for her rescuer. Her repeated visits for noodles brought her into the Zhou family’s daily life, particularly through her immediate affection for Zhou Momo. 10 11

After returning to Sichuan Fine Arts Academy, Xia Yao continued sketching Zhou Yan and spoke fondly of Suji and his Braised Pork Rib Noodles. She returned with her department’s study group, helped promote the restaurant among her classmates, organized their dinner orders, and eventually asked Zhou Yan to exchange letters before leaving for Mountain City. 24 29 33

Appearance

Xia Yao is a tall, fair-skinned young woman with an understated, ethereal beauty. Her delicate features, gentle Zhejiang accent, and fashionable city clothing distinguish her from the local villagers. 7 10

• Oval face, fine brows, cherry-red lips, and exceptionally fair skin. 10
• Has a soft, gentle voice with the “glutinous sweetness” associated with Jiangnan speech. 10
• Wore a yellow floral dress, beige knitted cardigan, black Mary Jane shoes, and twin braids while sketching outside the Textile Factory. 15
• Her pallor after the river accident visibly improved after she resumed eating. 7

Personality

Xia Yao is gracious, considerate, and sincere. Although she comes from a comparatively affluent urban background, she treats Zhou Yan’s family warmly rather than condescendingly. Her gratitude extends beyond Zhou Yan himself: she brings gifts for his relatives, gives Zhou Momo candy, cola, and her first doll, and makes time to play with her. 10 14 33

She is modest about her artistic ability and uncomfortable being watched while she draws, yet she confidently uses public attention to recommend Zhou Yan’s restaurant. She is also thoughtful and forward-looking, discussing careers, cities, literature, music, and Zhou Yan’s potential beyond Suji. 15 33

Though she repeatedly calls her connection with Zhou Yan a “pure revolutionary friendship,” she becomes visibly embarrassed when teased about him, sketches him during her time away, and briefly mistakes a love letter for his confession. 24 29 30

Abilities & Skills

Art and Design

Xia Yao studies in the Arts and Crafts Department of Sichuan Fine Arts Academy and specializes in interior design, with interests that include branding and packaging design. 15

• Produces vivid, realistic sketches, including a widely admired drawing of Zhou Momo holding a cola bottle. 15
• Regularly sketches Zhou Yan and keeps drawings of Zhou Momo in her sketchbook. 24
• Recognizes Zhou Yan’s creativity and considers him unusually imaginative for a chef. 28 33

Social Grace

Xia Yao navigates both Zhou Yan’s rural family and her university peers with tact.

• Personally thanks Zhou Yan while maintaining formal courtesy after her rescue. 10
• Recommends Zhou Erwa Restaurant to passing workers after they gather to admire her sketch. 15
• Records her classmates’ meal orders, allowing Zhou Yan to prepare enough fresh food for their return visit. 29
• Takes the initiative to ask Zhou Yan whether they can exchange letters after returning to separate cities. 33

Relationships

• Zhou Yan — Rescuer and growing personal connection. His noodles help her recover from trauma; she repeatedly visits his restaurant, promotes it, sketches him, and later proposes exchanging letters. 7 15 24 33
• Zhou Momo — Affectionate younger-friend figure. Xia Yao gives her candy, cola, and her first doll, while Momo eagerly calls her “Sister Yaoyao.” 10 14 33
• Lin Zhiqiang — Uncle. He publicly thanks Zhou Yan for saving her and remains protective of her well-being. 5 7
• Meng Anhe — Aunt. She cares for Xia Yao during her recovery but warns her not to confuse gratitude with romantic attachment to Zhou Yan. 7 12
• Deng Hong — Roommate and close friend. Deng Hong openly teases Xia Yao about Zhou Yan and receives Ma Xingye’s love letter through Xia Yao. 24 30
• Zhu Yuyu — Roommate and close friend who joins Deng Hong in teasing Xia Yao over her feelings for Zhou Yan. 24 29
• Su Jun — Department head and family acquaintance through Xia Yao’s mother. Her accident partly motivates his visit to Jiazhou Textile Factory and his interest in meeting Zhou Yan. 28

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qingyi River Rescue and Recovery

Xia Yao’s near-drowning introduces Zhou Yan to Lin Zhiqiang’s family and becomes the reason for Lin’s public support of Zhou Erwa Restaurant. Her inability to eat triggers Zhou Yan’s side quest; recovering after eating his Braised Pork Rib Noodles completes it and earns him the Food Appraisal skill. 5 6 7

Visits to Zhou Erwa Restaurant

Her personal visit establishes her as a gracious benefactor and a welcomed presence in the Zhou household. She becomes a regular customer, praises Zhou Yan’s cooking, befriends Momo, and uses her sketching session to bring new diners to the restaurant. 10 11 14 15

Sichuan Fine Arts Academy Visit

Xia Yao’s account of Zhou Yan and his food shapes her classmates’ expectations before their Jiazhou trip. During the visit, she recommends dishes, assists with their group order, and helps turn the academy students into an influential source of publicity for the restaurant. 24 26 28 29

Departure and Correspondence

Before returning to Mountain City, Xia Yao accepts Zhou Yan’s bicycle escort and gifts for her roommates. Their conversation about ideals and future plans deepens their connection, and she asks him to write to her after they part. 33

Notable Quotes

“We have a pure revolutionary friendship.” 24

“The Braised Spare Ribs Zhou Yan makes are definitely the most delicious I've ever had, even better than my dad's.” 28

Trivia

• Braised spare ribs are her favorite food; Zhou Yan’s version becomes her new favorite after her recovery. 7
• Her first sketch in Suji depicts Zhou Momo drinking cola. 14 15
• She initially mistakes Ma Xingye’s letter to Deng Hong for a confession from Zhou Yan. 30
• She is from Hangzhou but may consider living in either Hangzhou or the capital after graduation. 33