An 18-year-old woman in China, struggling with the high cost of rent, has come up with a creative – though unconventional – solution: she now lives inside the toilet at her office.
Photo via South China Morning Post
Yang, who earns a modest RMB2,700 per month (around RM1,640), found that paying rent elsewhere could cost her as much as RMB1,800 (approximately RM1,100), a sum that was simply too high. To save money, she struck a deal with her employer, allowing her to sleep in the office toilet for just RMB50 (roughly RM30.40) a month.
The six-square-metre space, which includes two toilet cubicles and a sink, is far from luxurious. However, Yang has made it her own by adding a foldable bed, a curtain, cooking equipment, and a clothes rack to make it more liveable.
Photo via South China Morning Post
During office hours, the toilet continues to be used by other employees, who have access to the facilities as usual. Yang cleans the space daily, but does she mind sharing her living area with colleagues? Surprisingly, she claims her makeshift bedroom remains free from unpleasant odours.
“I never lock the door, and so far, nothing of mine has gone missing,” said Yang, who has been living in the toilet for a month.
Yang’s female boss, Xu, has shown understanding of the challenges Yang faces as a young, independent worker. Xu even offered Yang a place to stay at her home temporarily. Although Yang had considered living in an unused office space or a nearby room priced at RMB400 (around RM243), she chose the office toilet due to concerns over safety and its convenience.
Looking ahead, Xu plans to move Yang into a newly renovated office room, offering her a more comfortable living space.
