A 28-year-old fecal waste management operator from Jiangsu, China, has recently gone viral on Weibo for his unexpected double life — operating heavy machinery during the day and driving Mercedes after work.
The man, identified as Pan Haonan, was born after 1995 and works in the waste management industry.
Participates in waste management work
His story caught fire online after netizens discovered a video with the caption: “Operates a waste truck at work, drives a Mercedes after work.”
While many praised his hustle and determination, others speculated whether he was actually the boss of the company and didn’t need to get his hands dirty.
In response, Chinese media outlet Jimu News reached out to Pan, who confirmed that he indeed participates in waste management work and isn’t just a figurehead.
He explained that the company belongs to his parents, and he often works alongside other employees during the day. Only after work does he return to his personal life.
Film graduate turned waste management operator
Pan, who majored in film and video editing at university, decided to take over the family waste management business after graduating.
Although the job has little to do with his academic background, Pan found purpose in combining his film skills with his work.
He began documenting his daily life and posting videos on social media to present the real, often gritty side of the industry — and his content has been widely well-received.
He shared that his father had been in the fecal waste management industry for years and later founded a company that owns two waste trucks and employs five workers, excluding his parents.
Pan now helps lead the team and often joins them on-site. Despite the physical labor, he enjoys the simplicity of the lifestyle and spends his free time driving Mercedes or hanging out with friends.
His girlfriend, whom he met online, also supports his grounded lifestyle and appreciates his positive mindset.
Worker’s monthly Income Around RM4.1k
Apart from fecal waste management, the family business also provides housing renovation services. Pan mentioned that a typical excavator worker at the company earns around RM4,123 (RMB7,000) per month, including accommodation and meals.
He acknowledged that competition in the industry is relatively low and the job offers stable income. On social media, he has been dubbed the “Jiangsu waste collection Prince.”
Pan also revealed that his girlfriend often takes photos and videos of him on the job to help him share his life online.
He even customizes his work outfits by pairing them with equestrian-style boots, earning him a reputation for having a “one-of-a-kind” look on site.
