A 31-year-old Chinese man has become a symbol of dedication and perseverance after using his passion for traditional Chinese calligraphy to pay off a staggering 20 million yuan debt (approximately PKR 76.9 million) owed by his parents.
Chen Zhao, a resident of Wuhan, developed a love for calligraphy at the tender age of five.
Despite his parents’ skepticism about the financial viability of pursuing such an ancient art form, Zhao remained determined to follow his dreams. His parents, hoping he would choose a more conventional and profitable path in business, were initially unsupportive.
Nevertheless, Zhao persisted and enrolled at a fine arts institute where he majored in calligraphy.
After graduating in 2016, instead of joining his parents’ garment business, Zhao launched his own calligraphy studio.
In 2017, he briefly worked at a Chinese calligraphy institute in France, but returned to China within the same year after his family’s clothing business collapsed due to mismanagement.
The financial ruin left his parents burdened with a 20 million yuan debt, and his father’s health began to deteriorate as a result of the stress.
Motivated by a desire to support his family, Zhao doubled down on his calligraphy business.
He expanded the size of his studio, increased tuition fees, and soon attracted over 300 students eager to learn the art.
For years, Zhao taught from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. He also began selling calligraphy-related products online to generate additional income.
Through years of relentless effort, Zhao’s business flourished.
In September 2024, he finally succeeded in paying off the entire family debt.
More importantly, his parents, once doubtful of his career choice, now take pride in his accomplishments and actively assist him in managing the studio.
“The greatest joy for me,” Zhao shared, “is not just that the debt is paid, but that my parents now believe in my abilities and work alongside me. I no longer need to push myself as hard as I once did.”