A heartwarming and inspirational story that took place in southeastern China’s Fujian province has become a sensation on mainland social media. It involves a jubilant mother who was caught on camera laughing in sheer delight upon discovering that her 23-year-old son had secured an internship that came with a monthly stipend of 14,000 yuan (roughly US$2,000).
The subject of this uplifting tale, an unidentified woman, is seen reacting to the news shared by her older daughter, who is known by the surname Lv. According to a report from Bailu Video, the daughter disclosed to her mother that her younger brother would be undertaking a job on a ship as part of his internship program.
When the news was first broken to her, the mother was reportedly unable to contain her laughter and joy. Speaking to Bailu Video, Lv shared that, “My brother is 23 years old and is just starting his internship on a ship.” The prospect of her brother earning a salary of 14,000 yuan per month for the eight months of the year that he would be living on the ship was certainly a cause for celebration in the family.
Lv further explained that while her brother wouldn’t be paid for the remaining four months of the year, he could relish that time at home. This arrangement, she said, seemed to her mother as an unexpected boon, filling her with immense happiness.
It’s noteworthy to mention that it hadn’t been an easy journey for the mother to bring up her son and daughter single-handedly. However, with her daughter now having completed her education and living independently, and her son securing this new job, the mother can look forward to a secure retirement. According to Lv, the plan is that “After he gets his first monthly salary, my mother will start her retirement and enjoy her later life.”
The story has struck a chord with numerous people on Chinese social media, many of whom have empathized with the mother’s reaction. Several users expressed their thoughts on the matter. For instance, one person wrote: “More than the job itself, she is gratified her son is starting an independent life.” Another person made an insightful comment, saying, “In any case, a fresh graduate who can support himself is definitely something worth toasting.”
The story comes against the backdrop of a challenging employment scenario in China. Youth unemployment has been an enduring problem, which has further exacerbated due to the ongoing economic downturn. A reported figure from April this year suggests that as many as 11.58 million fresh graduates were stepping into the job market this summer, at a time when the unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 24 had crossed 20 per cent. Moreover, during the hiring season last fall, nearly 45 per cent of recent graduates had not received a single job offer. Given this context, the joyful reaction of the mother upon learning about her son’s job is truly understandable.
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