A boy from eastern China left school after earning 10,000 yuan (about US$1,400) in just 10 days, a choice influenced by his mother, who initially encouraged him to sell snacks in order to teach him the value of hard work.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, the boy’s mother, surnamed Deng, explained that she devised the plan when her 17-year-old son, Shen, started struggling academically at his culinary and vocational school.
When she confronted Shen about his declining grades, he told her that he no longer saw the point of studying, calling it “meaningless.”
Deng, who had been running a street stall selling fried chicken in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, for over three years, thought that putting her son into a difficult working environment might motivate him to take his education more seriously.
“He didn’t want to deal with the challenges of school, so I wanted him to experience the difficulties of the real world. Making money is not as easy as it seems,” she said.
Following her suggestion, Shen built a snack stall using a modified electric bike. To her surprise, he took to the job quickly and, in just 10 days, managed to earn 10,000 yuan. Deng attributed this success to Shen’s dedication and the support of loyal customers.
Deng described Shen’s routine, noting that he would start preparing food at 9 a.m. and ride 13 kilometers to set up the stall at 4 p.m. He worked late into the night and returned home at 3 a.m.
Now, Shen is focused on expanding his business, with his next goal being to buy an electric tricycle. “He’s very hardworking. I didn’t expect him to become so absorbed in it,” Deng said.
Ironically, Shen’s success in his business made him more determined to quit school. Despite Deng’s efforts to convince him otherwise, Shen remained resolute in his decision.
“At 17, children have their own ideas. As parents, we can only provide our support,” Deng said.
