A 26-year-old therapist from Chengdu, Sichuan, has gained widespread attention online for leading a remarkable double life. By day, Xiong (only her surname has been revealed) works as a professional therapist in a small private hospital’s rehabilitation department. But when her shifts end at 5:30 p.m., she swaps her clinical role for another mission—helping her parents run a family waste recycling station that specializes in metal waste.
After clocking off her full-time job, Xiong heads straight to the recycling facility, where she assists her parents with tasks like sorting, hauling, transporting, and selling scrap materials. The operation usually winds down around 9 p.m. before they return home together. Though the station employs two staff members to handle machinery and truck transportation, Xiong’s hands-on contributions are invaluable.
While she earns a modest 4,000 yuan (US$550) monthly as a therapist, Xiong doesn’t receive a salary from her parents’ business. Yet, her parents often provide her with spending money that surpasses her official income. Xiong’s involvement in recycling dates back to her childhood, and she views the work not just as labor but as a way to support her family while gaining practical skills.
“I manage to balance both worlds—shifting seamlessly between my professional role at the hospital and this hands-on sideline,” Xiong explained. “I’m careful about maintaining hygiene during my hospital shifts.” Her story has sparked curiosity online, as people marvel at her ability to juggle such contrasting careers.
