Artist pays off Rs 23 crore family debt using ancient art form he was told wouldn't work by parents

A Childhood Passion That Faced Doubt

As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chen began learning calligraphy at the age of five, quickly falling in love with the elegant strokes and discipline of the art. But despite his dedication, his parents remained doubtful. They repeatedly told him that calligraphy could never become a stable career. Their concerns intensified when Chen was selecting his university major. While his parents encouraged him to pursue a business degree, Chen remained steadfast in his choice. He enrolled in the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, where he majored in calligraphy.

After graduating in 2016, Chen chose not to join his parents’ clothing business. Instead, he opened his own calligraphy teaching studio. His first student, a left-handed primary school child, presented a significant challenge. But with effort and patience, the child eventually mastered beautiful handwriting—an early success that sparked word-of-mouth growth for Chen’s studio.

Crisis Hits Home

In 2017, he briefly worked at a calligraphy institution in France. However, later that year, he returned to China when his family’s clothing business shut down due to poor management, leaving behind a debt of Rs 23 crore. His father’s health also declined during this period, putting added emotional pressure on the young artist.

With his family in crisis, Chen expanded his studio, increased tuition fees, and began working grueling hours—teaching every day from 8 AM to 9 PM with only a short midday break. Despite hiring support staff,