Shen Zhirao (known as "Dazhi") was abandoned by his mother when he was a child. He was regarded as a "fool" by his neighbors because of his unusual mind. He was often bullied. Only a female classmate in school gave him rare kindness. Later, he was ordered to drop out of school by his uncle, and he entered the society early to make a living. He first worked as a hard laborer in a brick factory, and then as a porter, experiencing the hardships of living at the bottom. During this period, he lived on the streets for a time, experiencing wandering days of begging and selling songs. He was looked down upon by the world, but he always maintained a simple and kind-hearted character. He slowly accumulated the resilience and experience to survive in the wanderings, and began his solitary life.
