The Pandemic Pinch?

Twentysomething Lin Lu found himself without a job in June. Previously an advertisement designer, Lin was waiting for the salary increase his boss had promised him a few months earlier. But the combination of pandemic flare-ups since March in Shanghai, where he lives, and several other factors shook the company to its core. Barely able to make ends meet, Lin’s boss could only eat his words.

Having been unhappy in his job for quite some time already, Lin just quit—without a plan B in place. To reduce his expenses, he decided to tighten the belt. For example, he started cooking