"I concealed this truth because I wanted my son to live diligently, face challenges, and learn to overcome them. This is also the path that led me to where I am today," said 52-year-old Zhang Yudong, founder and chairman of the snack brand Mala Prince in Hunan province.

Zhang Yudong, 52 (left), chairman of Mala Prince, and his son, Zhang Zilong (right). Photo: *Dimsum Daily*

Mala Prince was founded in 2000, the same year Zhang Yudong’s son, Zhang Zilong, was born. The family lived in a modest apartment in Pingjiang County, Hunan Province. Zhang Yudong constantly reminded his son to study hard for a chance to improve their circumstances.

Aware of his family's supposed financial struggles, Zhang Zilong worked diligently and gained admission to a top Chinese university. After graduating in 2024, the 25-year-old actively sought employment, eager to help his family repay their perceived debts.

"At my graduation ceremony, my father revealed the truth: our family was wealthy, and we had just built a villa worth about 10 million yuan (1.4 million USD)," Zilong said.

The Mala Prince chairman explained he chose this moment to reveal the truth because he wanted to entrust his son with greater responsibilities. He brought his son into the company, starting him as an e-commerce employee. Zilong would learn the ropes and face the same challenges as any other employee.

"I want my son to help take the company public and expand into international markets. I will consider handing over the company to him if his performance warrants it," the 52-year-old stated.

Zhang Zilong now serves as Mala Prince's marketing director, overseeing the company's digital strategy, e-commerce, livestreaming, and brand building across digital platforms.

His father sets an annual revenue KPI of 420 million USD for him. He also manages a team of over 80 people, coordinating livestreaming activities, collaborating with key opinion leaders (KOLs), and organizing events.

"My father always complained about our family's finances to me because he didn't want me to become complacent and reliant on our wealth. Now, my dream is to help my father's brand expand globally," Zhang Zilong explained.

The story of Zhang Yudong's parenting approach has sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media. Some express disbelief, while others call it a "fairy tale."

Thanh Thanh (*Time Now, NDTV, SCMP*)