In a world obsessed with career goals, consumerism, and the pursuit of “success,” one man from China has taken a radically different path—by stepping away from it all. Min Hengcai, a 35-year-old former cab driver from Sichuan province, has made headlines for his unusual but thought-provoking choice: he lives in a cave, rejecting the ideas of work, marriage, and material success as “a waste of time.”
His story is both a critique of modern life and a case study in radical simplicity. Is he a dropout or a visionary? Let’s dive into Min’s journey and what it might say about us all.
The Breaking Point: From Hustle to Hollow
Min once lived what many would call a "normal life." He worked as a ride-hailing cab driver, putting in over 10 hours a day and earning a respectable income of 10,000 yuan (about $1,400 USD) per month. But for what?
That’s the question Min began asking himself.
Despite working hard, he was buried under $42,000 in debt. Long days, mounting stress, and an empty sense of purpose led him to question the system itself. “It felt meaningless,” he said.
In 2021, he made a decision most people would consider unthinkable: he walked away from it all.
The Cave Dweller: A New Kind of Freedom
Min gave up hopes of paying off his debts. His relatives eventually sold his remaining property to cover the arrears. He then traded his land with a fellow villager for access to a remote cave.
With $6,000 in savings, he spent the next several months converting a 50-square-metre cave into his new home.
Today, Min leads a life that many might find uncomfortably quiet but deeply intentional. He wakes up at 8 a.m., tends to his small farm, reads, takes long walks, and sleeps by 10 p.m. He’s largely self-sufficient, needing very little money for basic necessities.
He calls the cave his “black hole”—a symbolic reminder of his insignificance in the grand scheme of things. It’s a personal retreat, but also a philosophical stance.
No Marriage, No Money: Just Meaning
Min’s rejection of marriage is just as absolute as his rejection of work. “The probability of finding true love is very low. Why would I want to work hard for something so rare?” he asks.
To him, marriage is a social construct driven by economic pressure and unrealistic romanticism. “It’s a waste of time and money,” he adds bluntly.
His philosophy is rooted in minimalism, introspection, and detachment. While society chases after increasingly complex goals, Min believes in simplifying to the core.
Internet Fame and Irony
Though he lives in a cave, Min is not completely disconnected. He posts on social media, where he now has over 40,000 followers.
This has sparked debate. Critics accuse him of preaching detachment while profiting from attention, while supporters hail him as a modern-day sage—someone brave enough to live by his own principles.
The irony isn’t lost on him. But Min claims he doesn’t seek fame or fortune. For him, social media is just a way to share thoughts, not a business. His videos show him farming, cooking simple meals, or reflecting on life.
What Can We Learn From Min Hengcai?
You don’t have to live in a cave to appreciate Min’s message. His life asks important questions:
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Is our daily grind truly meaningful, or just an endless loop of repayment and consumption?
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Are we living for ourselves, or for the expectations placed on us by society?
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What does success really mean—and is it the same for everyone?
Min Hengcai may not have all the answers, but he has boldly asked the questions most of us are too busy or afraid to confront.
Final Thoughts: Escapism or Enlightenment?
Min’s lifestyle is certainly not for everyone. Many would find it isolating, impractical, or extreme. But it challenges the mainstream narrative in a powerful way.
At 35, instead of measuring life by paychecks or milestones, Min measures it by inner peace, simplicity, and self-awareness. Whether you see him as a dropout or a thinker, his choices offer a valuable mirror to our own lives.
As the noise of the modern world grows louder, voices like Min Hengcai’s—echoing from a cave—might just be the ones worth listening to.