Dr. Zhang (2005)

"Dr. Zhang," a figure frequently seen in the media, pursued his childhood dream of becoming a translator in Russia after being forced to leave school during the Cultural Revolution in 1966. He spent 17 years self-studying in a Chongqing factory, followed by another 17 years at Sichuan University in Chengdu, working as a cafeteria cleaner and living in a basic hut. In 2002, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture began recruiting Russian-speaking students for labor export to Russia. Approaching 50, "Dr. Zhang" contacts the department upon hearing about the opportunity.