Due to poverty, she began working at a British-owned egg factory in Zhabei at the age of 13, but was later able to attend school after her family fortunes improved.
Vaesuse tõttu hakkas ta 13-aastaselt Zhabeis tööle brittidele kuulunud munavabrikus, kuid ta sai hiljem siiski kooli minna, kui tema perekonna majanduslik seis paranes.