(Source: Weibo)
Imagine spending your days knee-deep in the gritty, smelly world of fecal waste management, then, after clocking out, cruising around in a Mercedes. That’s exactly the real-life hustle of 28-year-old Pan Haonan from Jiangsu, China.
Pan majored in film and video editing at university, but instead of working behind a director’s chair, he stepped up to help run his family’s waste management business. That decision raised eyebrows online after a Weibo post showed him operating heavy-duty waste trucks by day and driving a sleek Mercedes by night.
Some doubted whether he rolled in luxury only because he owned the company. But Jimu News confirmed Pan isn’t a figurehead at all. He literally gets his hands dirty, working alongside his team of employees during the day. The company was founded by his parents and runs 2 waste trucks and a team of 5 workers.
Even though cleaning up trash may not align with his film studies, Pan brought creativity and authenticity to the job by documenting his daily grind on social media. His raw yet humble content resonated widely, earning him the nickname “Jiangsu waste collection Prince” online.
A typical excavator worker under his family’s business earns around RMB7,000 (about RM4,123) per month, including housing and meals. Steady work, decent pay, and a dash of humility have shaped Pan’s grounded outlook.
(Source: Weibo)
Beyond the hard labor, Pan’s personal life shines too. His girlfriend, whom he met online, fully supports his lifestyle and often documents his workdays with photos and videos. And let’s not forget his stylish twist: mixing equestrian-style boots with work attire, carving out a “one-of-a-kind” site look.