Robert had just turned 40, but he wasn't happy. He was a mid-level manager at a good company, had a house, a car, and a wonderful family—a 'success story' in everyone else's eyes. But in his own heart, a voice kept asking, "Is this the life you really want?"

Late at night, he would think about his dream from his youth: to become a chef. He loved food, loved the process of creating delicious meals in the kitchen. But back then, to pursue a more 'respectable' and 'stable' career, he had given up that dream.

Now, life was stable, but the suppressed dream was sprouting like a determined shoot breaking through concrete. He started taking cooking classes on weekends and owned more professional kitchen gadgets than books. The joy he found in the kitchen far surpassed the satisfaction of closing a deal at the office.

An idea began to form in his mind: quit his job and open his own small restaurant.

The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. He was 40. He had a family to support and a mortgage to pay. Could he really take a risk like a young man, consequences be damned? If he failed, how could he face his family?

He felt trapped. On one side was his stable but dull present; on the other, a future full of passion but fraught with uncertainty.

At a family gathering, he saw his niece playing with an interesting divination website. Out of curiosity, he decided to try it himself. He typed in the question that had been bothering him for so long: "I'm 40. Is it too late to change careers and chase my dream?"

The result was "Su Xi" (Speedy Joy). He was a bit surprised and clicked for the detailed interpretation:

"A tree does not stop growing because of its rings, and a person should not give up on the horizon because of their age. Time takes away the face of youth, not the fire of desire. What you fear is the regret of being 'too late,' not the difficulty of 'starting.' The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best time is now. The second half of your life has just begun."

"The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best time is now."

That sentence, like a key, instantly unlocked the shackles on Robert's heart. He had been limiting himself with his age, believing that dreams were a monopoly of the young. He had forgotten that life is a long journey, and at any point, you have the right to choose a new direction.

He wasn't going to throw everything away; he was going to start the 'second curve' of his life.

He didn't quit his job immediately. He became more patient, more strategic. He began to systematically study restaurant operations and management. He used his annual leave to intern in a restaurant kitchen. He photographed every dish he made, constantly refining them. He was thoroughly preparing for his 'second half.'

His wife, initially worried, became his biggest supporter. She saw the light rekindled in his eyes—a spark she never saw when he talked about his office job.

A year later, a small, cozy restaurant named "Robert's Kitchen" quietly opened in their neighborhood. Robert was the head chef, pouring his passion into every dish.

Business was better than expected. Many neighbors became regulars, drawn not only by the taste of the food but also by the warm, dream-filled atmosphere of the place.

Robert was still busy, even more tired than before, but he felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and happiness. He knew he had made the right choice.

Forty wasn't an ending. It was a new beginning. As long as the fire in your heart is still burning, any time is the best time to start.