Recently, a man went viral on Douyin APP. He’s not a celebrity, he can’t sing, and he’s not handsome.
This man walked down the street in Shanghai carrying a book…his name is Shen Wei.
“In front of the vast sea of culture, we are all frogs in a well, and the knowledge we acquire is far from enough. So, we need to keep learning.”
Many people are so amazed by his literary talent and speeches that they began filming him and posting it on Douyin.
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He graduated from a university in Shanghai and became a civil servant in the Audit Bureau of Xuhui District.
Chinese netizens that have seen his videos and heard his story wonder how such a knowledgeable person ended up like this.
Shen Wei did only 2 things; pick up litter and read books.
“I’m not ashamed of picking up trash. Garbage classification is the source control, it should be aimed at the people who produce garbage. But in a society that advocates garbage classification, I am ridiculed for picking up garbage. I am not isolated but want to let the outside world understand me, after all, garbage classification is advocated by the state.”
Mr. Shen buys books with the money he makes from selling trash. He buys books from art to history and literature. He can usually be seen at the subway station in the evenings at rush hour sitting and reading. This is his subtle way of reminding all the “white collar workers” to exercise their minds and pick up a book to read.
In response to people offering help to him, “People who have hands and feet don’t need help. My troubles are self-inflicted. You should help those who really need help.”
He went on to say, “Everyone is free to choose what kind of life they want to lead. Wandering is my right to choose, I do not need everyone’s sympathy.”
The Internet has given him the name “master Shen” for his words of wisdom he’s sharing with society.
Many people from all over the country see him around Shanghai and pretend to listen to his speeches but actually, they are just filming videos or live streaming him to increase their likes and followers.
Shen Wei said he really doesn’t want to be famous like this. He’s not trying to get rich, he does not lack the finances and there is no need for anyone to be making money off of his choice of how to live.
Many news anchors and social media influencers did not even communicate with him, they just want to take his picture or a selfie with him.
Mr. Shen is speechless; “nowadays, people are just after profit, not culture. They just want to make money and become famous all the time. Many people want to be famous but fail, I don’t want to be famous but I still went viral.”
Ironic!