The cost of living crisis has forced people to get creative, but one young woman in China has taken things to a whole new level—by turning a workplace toilet into her home.
Yang, an 18-year-old furniture store employee in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, couldn’t afford the high local rents, which range from $110 to $250 per month. Earning just $370 a month, she struck a deal with her boss to rent an office toilet for just $7.
A Bathroom Turned Bedroom
The six-square-meter restroom, which includes two squat toilets and a sink, is now where Yang eats, sleeps, and even cooks. She set up a folding bed, a small cooking pot, and a clothes rack. To maintain privacy, she uses a curtain to block off her sleeping area.
During the day, she packs up her belongings so employees and customers can use the restroom as usual. Despite the unusual setup, Yang insists the space is clean and doesn’t smell.
Why She Chose the Toilet Over Other Options
Yang had the option to rent a small $55 room or sleep in an unused office space, but she feared for her safety and preferred the security of staying within the store, which has 24-hour surveillance.
Her boss, Ms. Xu, understands her struggles and even let Yang stay at her home for a while. She has now promised to move Yang into a newly renovated office space soon.
Hard Work and Sacrifices
Yang’s story gained attention on Chinese social media, where she has amassed over 15,000 followers. Some netizens praised her resilience, while others expressed concern about her living conditions, especially as summer approaches and humidity rises.
Her backstory is just as heartbreaking. Born into a traditional rural family, Yang’s parents favored her younger brother and left her to be raised by strict grandparents. At 16, she left home and became financially independent, though her parents still demand money from her to support her brother’s education.
Despite these hardships, Yang remains focused on saving money to one day buy her own house and car.
As one supportive commenter put it, “A girl like her will succeed at anything she does.”
