Connections through food

Other than rekindling old friendships, food has also sparked unexpected bonds with strangers.

Some of the most touching moments in Qu's videos happen when restaurant owners or customers recognize his Taiwan accent and greet him warmly.

In one video filmed at a hot pot restaurant in Jilin province, the owner told Qu, "When Taiwan returns to China, I'll definitely open a branch there." Qu smiled and replied, "I'm sure it will be a hit."

"People on the Chinese mainland are incredibly welcoming toward those from Taiwan. I want to capture these genuine moments and share them through my videos," Qu said.

In early 2023, Qu experienced an unexpected connection when a viewer recommended her family's barbecue restaurant in Zibo, Shandong province. Despite being in business for over 20 years, the restaurant remained relatively unknown.

Curious about the suggestion, Qu visited the restaurant unannounced, surprising the viewer with his arrival. "It felt like reconnecting with an old friend," Qu recalled.

Shortly after, Zibo became a popular destination for young travelers, and Qu's video featuring the restaurant went viral, significantly boosting the family business. Once a quiet eatery, the restaurant now sees long lines of customers, greatly improving the livelihood of its owners.

Later, when the viewer got married, she invited Qu and his parents to the wedding and even asked him to officiate the ceremony.

"It's incredible how a simple video can lead to such meaningful connections. This has been one of the most rewarding moments of my journey as a content creator," he said.

Qu's videos also provided meaningful encouragement to ordinary viewers.

One viewer, undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia and struggling to eat, reached out to Qu. She shared that watching his videos about his family's heartfelt food journey across the Chinese mainland brought her joy, reignited her appetite, and gave her hope. Today, she is gradually recovering.

"The messages I receive are powerful, and they motivate me to keep creating high-quality videos," Qu said.

With over 1.2 million followers now, Qu and his parents have traveled throughout China, except for the Xizang autonomous region, Hong Kong, and Macao.

"In the new year, I hope to explore even more of the country, discovering unique and authentic foods to share with my audience," Qu said.