Rather than demolish it, Zeng chose a painstaking restoration. Original stone walls were preserved and reinforced joint by joint. Rotted wooden beams were replaced, then artificially aged to maintain visual continuity.

After investing around 5 million yuan ($720,420), she ended up with just seven guest rooms.

Her guests have been a mix of Fuzhou residents and visitors from other provinces, who usually stay one or two nights. Many come simply to read, drink tea, and wander among the old houses.

When guests are few, Zeng tends her succulents, grows vegetables, or sits with her children by the fireplace, brewing tea.

She has witnessed steady changes around her: new parking facilities, cycling paths and public spaces that have made Kuliang more accessible year-round.

The rise of homestays has also created jobs for local villagers, who now work in housekeeping, catering and maintenance, or supply fresh produce directly to guesthouses.

More than three years on, Zeng says she no longer feels like an outsider. "We attend village events and temple activities," she says.

Back at Sharon Cloud House, Wang Xiaojing recalls a moment that continues to stay with her.

An 85-year-old overseas visitor once stood beneath a 200-year-old tree in the courtyard and quietly wept.

"We all understood this might be her last visit," Wang says softly.

For Wang, moments like these confirm that Kuliang is more than a summer retreat. It is a place of emotional resonance. From an abandoned house to a flower-filled courtyard, Wang has witnessed Kuliang's gradual awakening.

"Change doesn't happen all at once," she says. "Someone has to stay to keep the memories alive and reconnect the life here with the world."

Yang Jie contributed to this story.