In the past few days, an egg-fried rice stall has become a popular spot for college students attending Jilin Normal University in Siping, Jilin province.

Middle-aged Li Bin, the stall's owner, flips rice in an iron pot. It dances and sizzles in golden egg yolk. "Food for students must be made with a conscience," he says. "I give them the same food I make for my daughter."

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."

Upon arriving in Siping, Li rented a small apartment near the university and went to the market early every morning to buy ingredients.

On the first day of business, he sold only seven servings of egg-fried rice from noon to evening in the cold wind. However, it didn't take long for word of his stall to spread. Students began flocking to the stall for an egg-fried rice fix.