8-year-old boy makes 10,000 wontons a day in Jiangxi

Liu Minghui, an 8-year-old boy in Ruijin, Jiangxi province, has attracted attention online for folding 10,000 wontons a day. [Photo/northnews.cn]

The story of Liu Minghui, an 8-year-old boy living in Ruijin, Jiangxi province, recently caught many people's attention after it was discovered that Liu can make about 10,000 wontons in a single day.

Liu's parents work far away from home in a different city. He and his 6-year-old sister live with their grandparents in the countryside. During the National Day holiday, they accompanied their grandparents to sell snacks and wontons at a trade fair. At the event, the boy's ability to fold 10,000 wontons over the course of a day surprised many attendees. Netizens praised him as a sensible child with a great deal of filial piety.

An old Chinese saying goes, "Children raised in households that don't possess good fortune are conditioned early in their lives to exercise self-control and self-restraint." Indeed, Liu has been assisting his grandparents with their work since he was only 3. He often helps with household chores such as washing dishes and cleaning.

Every month, the town holds nine trade fairs. Any time Liu has no schoolwork, he goes to help his grandparents at their wonton stand.

"Even though the boy is only 8 years old, he is determined to help support the family," said Liu Shoufa, Liu's grandfather. Liu Shoufa is too old for farm work, so he and his wife do odd jobs in a garment factory nearby.

Liu studies hard at school, and he considers himself the "little man" of the family. He said he is looking forward to Chinese New Year, when he will get to see his parents.

"My parents work in a garment factory and they can only come back home during Spring Festival," he said. Liu hopes to attend university in the future so he can earn money to support his family and buy beautiful clothes for his younger sister.