Review Detail

In January of 2020, Mei Wong is trying to navigate her life in Wuhan, China, after the recent death of her mother in a traffic accident. Both of her parents were busy doctors, so she also relies on her Aunt, who is the director of Yangtze Middle School, which Mei attends.Mei loves to cook, and plays a video game called Chop Chop, wherein the players have to practice their cooking skills in order to feed soldiers that are protecting society from zombie hordes. She plays this online with friends Ming and Hong. She shared a love of food with her late mother, and the two often went to a restaurant where Chef Ma worked, since her mother had saved his daughter when she was ill. When the news starts to buzz that there is a bad virus circulating, Mei's father gives her a mask and tells her to stay inside as much as possible. He stocks the kitchen with food, but doesn't come home for days. The neighbors in the building have a WeChat group that Mrs. Fong has put together, and are all taking care of each other. Food is a problem, especially after authorities put everyone in lockdown, and only those with volunteer passes can do shopping. Food is sent up in baskets, and the elderly and the very young who have ill adults are struggling with getting meals. Even upstairs neighbor, Juan, who is about Mei's age, subsists on shrimp crackers until she asks for Mei's help. Mei begs her aunt to be able to help out Chef Ma, whose restaurant has been closed but who is now working in the middle school kitche to provide food for hospitcal workers. Both she and Mei's father are reluctant at first, but eventually allow her to help cook. She's not used to the scale or speed of a professional kitchen, but learns a lot, and even helps to coordinate meals in her neighborhood. She still longs for her mother, but is glad that she is able to get out of the apartment and use her skills to help others. When Mei's father collapses at work, there is a fear that he is ill with COVID-19. How will this change Mei's life?