When his daughter was 12, his wife passed away from illness, depleting the family's savings. As a single father, Li Bin relied on his barbecue restaurant to get by.

In 2023, when his daughter was admitted to the university, Li Bin closed the restaurant and traveled south to learn how to make egg-fried rice. He then followed his daughter to Siping, where he set up a small stall near campus.

"I worried that she couldn't eat well outside home," said Li. "She has a part-time job tutoring in three different places on weekends and holidays. I hope to take better care of her."