In recent news from Dajiyuan on March 11, 2025, China’s economy is declining, unemployment rates are soaring, and young people are finding it increasingly difficult to secure jobs. An incident in Guangdong involving a young man from Hunan seeking employment at a small restaurant has captured public attention and sparked discussions online.
According to a viral video circulating online, on March 4th in Guangdong, a young man wearing a black short-sleeved shirt entered a small restaurant where the owner was having a meal. He timidly asked the owner if there were any job openings available, expressing his willingness to do any kind of work just so he could have a meal as he had been hungry for a day already.
The owner initially turned down the young man’s request, stating that they were not hiring at the moment. Undeterred, the young man pleaded with the owner saying he could do any task assigned to him and that he just needed a meal to sustain himself for a couple of days before he would leave, even offering to work for free.
Feeling disappointed, the young man hesitated near the restaurant’s entrance for a while before mustering up the courage to ask again. He expressed his readiness to help out in exchange for food, emphasizing that having a meal was his only priority for the next two days, indicating he would then continue his job search elsewhere.
Upon hearing the young man’s plea, the owner, moved by his circumstances, inquired about his background and why he had ended up in such a desperate situation. The young man shared that he was from Hunan and had come to Guangdong in search of employment, but due to the tough job market, he was willing to work in exchange for food to regain his strength and continue his job hunt.
Touched by the young man’s story, the owner promptly offered to prepare a meal for him. Despite the young man’s willingness to start working immediately, the owner insisted he wait outside and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
The owner later served the young man a generous serving of rice noodles and stir-fried vegetables, watching as the young man eagerly devoured the meal, a sight that evoked a sense of sadness among onlookers.
This video quickly garnered attention and discussion online. Subsequently, the restaurant owner disclosed to the media that he felt compelled to help the young man, noticing a possible leg injury and believing the sincerity in the young man’s words, decided to provide him with a meal.
The kind act of the restaurant owner received praise from many netizens, with some commending his compassion and expressing well wishes for the success of his business.
However, amidst the positive reactions, some netizens expressed concern and sorrow over the dire circumstances faced by individuals like the young man, highlighting the harsh realities of unemployment and financial struggles in present-day China.
In recent years, with China’s economy deteriorating and unemployment rates skyrocketing, many young people are struggling to secure stable employment opportunities. Stories like these highlight the harsh realities faced by individuals seeking work in a challenging economic environment, resonating with a broader narrative of hardships and uncertainties confronting the youth in contemporary China.