Shaomin's Grandmother features solely in the first segment, "The Rice Noodles." Living in Hunan Province, she acts as primary caregiver to her young grandson Shaomin while his parents work. Each morning, she buys two bowls of San Xian noodles from a local shop—one for Shaomin and one for herself. This daily ritual forms their essential bonding time, establishing the noodles as a powerful symbol of familial comfort and tradition within Shaomin's memories.

The closure of the original noodle shop shatters their routine, though Shaomin adjusts by visiting another local establishment. His grandmother remains a steadfast presence throughout his youth. Years later, after Shaomin relocates to Beijing as an adult, she falls critically ill. He returns to Hunan upon hearing of her decline, arriving just before her death. Her passing signifies the profound loss of a foundational familial connection for Shaomin.

Following her death, Shaomin returns to the local noodle shop. Eating the noodles there triggers vivid recollections of their shared meals, enabling him to reconcile with her absence while preserving the deep emotional significance of their tradition. Her character embodies nurturing care and serves as the emotional anchor for Shaomin's hometown memories, with the noodle-sharing ritual forming the core of her narrative impact.