appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Alice Yan

A 14-year-old boy in eastern China has trended on social media after he helped out his under-pressure parents by skillfully cooking in their small noodle restaurant.
Liu Yuze, a Grade Two student at a middle school in Taihe county of Anhui province, has been helping his parents in the restaurant since childhood, the Dawan News reported.

Videos of the boy cooking like a professional chef and grasping skills like wok spinning have attracted more than 2.5 million likes online.
“Cooking is my biggest hobby. If I work more, my parents will not be so exhausted,” the boy was quoted as saying.
According to his mother, surnamed Wang, Liu became interested in kitchen chores when he was a toddler.
“When he was about three or four years old and was as tall as the chopping board, he keenly offered to prepare noodles. When he was five years old, he liked to stand beside his father and observed how to cook,” said Wang.

Over the past few years, after finishing his homework, Liu spends every weekend and every winter and summer holidays working in the family’s Niusan Wide Noodle Restaurant.
His family’s eatery has been operating for more than three decades and is popular with local residents.
While his parents are busy handling customers, Liu initially makes his own contribution by setting and cleaning tables, and preparing noodles and cooking.

During their peak hours, he and his mother have to take turns to have lunch, often postponing the meal until 3pm, the report said.
“We asked him to go out to play like other kids, but he refused. He likes working in the restaurant so much. We close the restaurant at 11pm every day and my boy insists on staying with us and going back home with us then,” said Wang.
Liu said he does not envy other children’s leisure activities of playing outside or playing with their mobile phones.

“Although I am a kid, I still need to aid my parents. I do not like playing with mobile phones or watching TV. I think they are too naive I hope I could grow up into a person who can make positive contributions to society,” the boy said.
He said he does not have many hobbies, except cooking, and he occasionally plays ping pong.
Liu lives a frugal life, wearing his father’s used clothes. He keeps his pocket money but is willing to spend buying gifts for his mother and his older sister.
He is also diligent in doing household chores such as sweeping the floor and washing clothes.

The boy admits his academic scores are “average”.
His ambition is to promote his family’s noodle business to the whole country.
The boy has earned huge praise on mainland social media.
“What a sensible boy. He was born to pay a debt of gratitude to his parents,” one online observer said.
Another person said: “He is the future God of the Kitchen of China.”


Chinese son’s video of mum’s final 14 days before sudden leukaemia death moves hearts online

Chinese doctor quits 20-year medical career to open steamed bun shop for mental health relief

Chinese woman, 65, plays dual roles of beautiful doctor and mum to con man out of US$25,000

Chinese woman in her 70s wakes up in coffin before dying for good 2 days later

Trending in China

China boy, 14, skilled in wok spinning, praised for cooking in parents’ eatery to help ease burden

A 13-year-old Chinese boy has garnered online admiration for his cooking skills in his parents’ small noodle restaurant. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Liu Yuze cooks up a stir-fried dish in the kitchen of his parent’s eatery. Photo: Douyin

Under a watchful eye, Liu shows of his “professional” wok spinning skills. Photo: Douyin

Liu gets a hand-clapping show of admiration as he spins his wok yet again. Photo: Douyin.com

Done and dusted: The 14-year-old Liu places a serving on a plate for a customer. Photo: Douyin

Liu gets cooking on another dish as his hardworking father looks on. Photo: Douyin.com

China ‘storm hot springs’ simulate squalls with mild electric shocks for unique experience

The “Storm Hot Springs” trend in China offers innovative wellness experiences, combining simulated storms and mild electric shocks for mental stimulation. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

During the harsh, dry winters in northeastern China, public bathhouses become essential, offering warmth and comfort. Photo: RedNote

In cities like Chongqing and Harbin, “hotpot-themed” hot spring baths provide an innovative, immersive experience that creatively mimics the enjoyment of a spicy Sichuan meal. Photo: RedNote

The “Storm Bath Spa” experience, which simulates storms and incorporates mild electric shocks in hot springs, is rapidly gaining popularity among enthusiasts in China. Photo: RedNote

Some establishments have even incorporated animals into the bathing experience, with reports of guests encountering penguins, lions, and lizards during their visits. Photo: RedNote

China youth share struggles instead of flaunting wealth, embrace ‘comparing misery’

Chinese youth are increasingly sharing their struggles online instead of flaunting wealth, embracing “comparing misery” or “reverse comparison.” Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Young people are experiencing unprecedented pressure in their lives and work, leading to feelings of overwhelm regarding success. Photo: Getty Images

In addition to seeking affordable goods, young people are more willing to show and share their life and work struggles openly. Photo: Shutterstock

Young people are prioritising healthy living for their bodies and minds over material wealth. Photo: Getty Images

Young people are redefining the “luxury lifestyle” to focus on personal values, experiences, and sustainability instead of traditional, logo-driven materialism. Photo: Getty Images

Chinese man earns US$23,000 in holiday week through cat-feeding services

A young man made headlines during the Chinese New Year by earning US$23,000 in just one holiday week through his cat-feeding services, completing more than 2,000 orders with his team. Photo: Shutterstock 

 Huan Cong with just two of the many cats he has looked after during the holiday period. Photo: Baidu

Among the array of services on offer is a healthy dose of playing time. Photo: Baidu

Over a period of more than 20 days before and after the festival, his team completed around 2,000 home-visit cat-feeding orders. Photo: Baidu

Satisfied customer: A ginger feline takes a cat nap after being looked after. Photo: Getty Images

China growing trend among couples has them calling each other ‘teammate’ or ‘roommate’

There’s a growing trend among married people in China to call their partners “teammate” or “roommate,” seen as cooler alternatives to traditional terms. Photo: Shutterstock

A couple bond on a mountainside. The new naming trend stresses practicality over romance. Photo: Getty Images

A couple holding hands on the banks of the River Seine in Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images

A Chinese bride and groom at their wedding. Online critics say the naming trend suggests individuals are in an unhappy marriage. Photo: Getty Images

Proponents of less schmaltzy names say practical monikers suggest an enduring relationship. Photo: Getty Images

Chinese man drives 900km for marriage proposal, hangs banner asking fellow drivers to make way

During the Chinese New Year travel rush on the mainland, a man hung a banner on his car saying, “Let me go first, I’m going to Guizhou to propose”, turning his proposal into a widely shared story online. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Tan’s car, with the red banner showing, gets up a head of steam as he continues on his romantic mission. Photo: Douyin

Tan, who runs his own business, waves at the camera during a stop-off along the way. Photo: Douyin

Tan prepares for the big proposal by taking some gifts for his girlfriend from the boot of his car. Photo: Douyin

Mission almost accomplished, Tan heads for the romantic rendezvous with the presents. Photo: Douyin

News

People & Culture

Kitchen-loving kid who honed his food preparation skills as a toddler admits being ‘average’ academically; cooks like a ‘professional chef’


Kitchen-loving kid who honed his food preparation skills as a toddler admits being ‘average’ academically; cooks like a ‘professional chef’.


Children in China

China boy, 14, skilled in wok spinning, praised for cooking in parents’ eatery to help ease burden

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Kitchen-loving kid who honed his food preparation skills as a toddler admits being ‘average’ academically; cooks like a ‘professional chef’

Kitchen-loving kid who honed his food preparation skills as a toddler admits being ‘average’ academically; cooks like a ‘professional chef’