He Finishes School, Then Feeds Thousands of Shrimp Alone

My cousin is still a student, but whenever he returns home from school, he takes over part of his father’s work. Every morning and evening, someone must travel to the family’s shrimp ponds to feed the shrimp and check the aerators, water and equipment. This time, I gave my cousin my camera and asked him to record one ordinary afternoon in his life. He rode an electric scooter past the sea, newly constructed roads and quiet country paths before finally reaching the shrimp ponds. A little dog ran excitedly to welcome him, while the aerators continued working to keep the shrimp alive. Shrimp farming is much harder and riskier than it appears. Disease, low oxygen levels and typhoons can wipe out months of investment. When powerful storms approach, my cousin and uncle sometimes remain in a small shelter beside the ponds to protect the family’s livelihood. He wasn’t familiar with my camera, so he couldn’t film every part of the feeding process. But these imperfect images reveal something more valuable: the real life of a young man quietly helping his father and taking responsibility for his family. On his way home, the sunset over the sea was incredibly beautiful. A little dog followed him, goats wandered beside the road, and two chickens in the footwell of his scooter clucked throughout the journey. He was bringing them home for his grandfather’s birthday the next day. This may look like a simple afternoon in rural China, but behind it are hard work, family responsibility and the uncertain reality of shrimp farming. If you were in his position, would you be willing to take over such difficult and risky work from your parents? Do you think young people should continue their family business, or leave the countryside to pursue the life they truly want? Please share your thoughts in the comments. If you enjoy honest stories about ordinary families and real life in China, please subscribe and join us for the next video. ❤️ #RuralChina #ShrimpFarming #LifeInChina