A 19-year-old sophomore from Qihe, East China's Shandong Province, gained attention in early September when he earned 17,000 yuan ($2456.5) to pay the tuition fee by delivering food during his summer vacation. Source: Sina News

A 19-year-old sophomore from Qihe, East China's Shandong Province, gained attention in early September when he earned 17,000 yuan ($2456.5) to pay the tuition fee by delivering food during his summer vacation. 

Zhao Chunyang, who started delivering food as a part-time job since 2021, has earned more than 20,000 yuan ($2883) in total. "I got paid a lot for food delivery, and I even bought a 1,200 yuan ($173) electric car with the money I earned," Zhao said.

"I start work at 6:30 am in the morning and return home around 11:00 pm in the evening. I hardly ever missed a day of work no matter whether it's windy or rainy," Zhao said, adding that he still perseveres and hopes to share some financial burden of his parents, although the work is tiring and often misunderstood by others.

"This experience is very valuable to me. Not only did I make money, but I also learned more about myself and society. I am optimistic and confident about my future," Zhao said.