Chinese noodles for the soul

Besides being affordable staple food in China that is enjoyed by the masses, noodles often also represent an emotional link to cherished memories

Rui Xinlin used to be a top student from one of the best high schools in Shanghai, but after being diagnosed with congenital heart disease, he failed his national college entrance exams.

There was a sort of silver lining, however, as he embraced rock music during his recovery period and became a rather prominent musician in that genre in the 1990s. He became the lead vocalist for a band called Bachelor's Degree and performed before tens of thousands of people at Shanghai's then largest concert hall and stadium. He said that rock music helped him to vent all the frustration and anger that was caused by the disease.