Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Chinese Woman Repays Debt Through Lotus Farming
Hu Qin was a successful businesswoman in China with a fruit business that had over 30 stores.
She and her husband lived a luxurious life, but in 2019, their business failed, and they had to sell their villa and travel to make money.
In Wuhan, they discovered lotus roots and decided to start farming them.
Hu Qin now works hard every day, digging up lotus roots in cold water and selling them online.
She has already repaid a big part of her debt and believes that hard work can change her future.
Her story has inspired many people on social media.
Hu Qin, a former businesswoman, turned to lotus root farming to repay a 5 million yuan ($700,000) debt after her business collapsed in 2019.
The couple initially enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle with assets worth over 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) but faced bankruptcy due to poor financial management.
Inspired by the popularity of lotus root dishes in Wuhan, Hu Qin and her husband started farming and selling lotus roots, live-streaming their work to attract customers.
Hu Qin now works daily in icy cold water, digging up lotus roots and selling up to 4,500 kg on peak days, having repaid over 1 million yuan of her debt so far.
Her inspiring story of perseverance and hard work has garnered over 2.5 million views on Chinese social media, showcasing her journey from a luxurious life to a modest farming lifestyle.
- Who
- Hu Qin, a former businesswoman from Hunan province, China
- What
- Repaying a debt of 5 million yuan ($700,000) through lotus root farming
- When
- Started in 2019 after her business collapsed
- Where
- Wuhan, Hubei province, China
- Why
- To repay her debt and rebuild her life after bankruptcy
- Name
- Hu Qin
- Age
- 44
- Original Business
- Fruit business
- Peak Assets
- 10 million yuan ($1.4 million)
- Debt Amount
- 5 million yuan ($700,000)
- Current Business
- Lotus root farming
- Debt Repaid So Far
- 1 million yuan
- Social Media Views
- 2.5 million