Cover image via South China Morning Post
A man in China with five university degrees has abandoned a life of academic prestige to live on the streets, surviving on just 100 yuan (about RM60) a month
Zhao Dian, 32, holds two bachelor's degrees and three master's degrees in finance from institutions in Sydney, New York, Beijing, and Paris.
Despite his elite education, Zhao described it as a 'shackle'.
He revealed a difficult upbringing, citing a distant relationship with his parents and immense pressure to succeed academically. This led to him feeling profound loneliness while living abroad for many years.
After returning to China in 2023, Zhao worked as a waiter and discovered joy in simple tasks.
"Washing dishes could bring happiness, so why wait for an ideal job?" he said, according to South China Morning Post.
Last year, he made the decision to live on the streets in Dali, Yunnan.
His routine involves eating at free vegetarian restaurants and showering at hostels, allowing him to live on his modest budget
He now spends his time reading, travelling, and organising projects like book clubs.
Although he has a 10-year-old daughter in New York whom he keeps in touch with online, he has cut ties with his parents.
Zhao's unconventional lifestyle has sparked mixed reactions online. Some sympathise with his journey to heal from a lonely childhood, while others have criticised his choices as irresponsible.
Previously, a Malaysian Threads user went viral after he claimed that he lived like a homeless person for a decade.
