Cheated On, Divorced, & Broke: A Single Dad’s Fight to Raise 2 Kids

Summary

At 37, Tyler is raising two school-aged children alone after a painful divorce. Formerly a car salesman, he now works two demanding jobs in Henan, central China: collecting and reselling cardboard during the day, then running a mobile draft-beer stall late into the night. He often works close to 20 hours a day and gets fewer than five hours of sleep.

Work

Daytime recycling: Tyler collects cardboard from shops at a hardware market, sorts and weighs it, then stacks it on his vehicle and sells it to recycling depots. A load of roughly 500 kg may bring only 150–200 RMB in profit. He checks prices at different depots because even small differences matter.

Night-market beer stall: After unloading, showering, and changing, Tyler sells craft beer from a custom cart. Sales vary, and he estimates the gross margin at around 50%. He chose this work partly because it requires little preparation during the day.

Family and finances

Tyler says recycling gives him some flexibility if his children need him, though growing demand from shopkeepers has made it harder to take time off. His children sometimes accompany him to the beer stall during summer. His daughter is a strong student and talented artist. According to Tyler’s mother, his son struggled with depression and social withdrawal after the divorce but has begun communicating more normally.

Tyler says it is difficult to cover the children’s expenses, including school materials. He keeps working to support them and help them continue their education.

Tyler’s mother says the marriage deteriorated after she suspected an affair, and the couple eventually separated. Tyler says he initially forgave his ex-wife for the children’s sake, but that she later left again. A later documentary interview also alleges that his ex-wife had a gambling problem and took money intended for their daughter’s drawing classes. These accounts are presented as claims by family members.

Health and routine

Tyler often skips breakfast and lunch, sometimes relying on instant noodles when hungry. He works in intense summer heat and appears severely exhausted, with bloodshot eyes. Friends urge him to take at least one day off each week and warn that working without rest could seriously harm his health. Tyler previously developed hyperthyroidism while working construction and later had surgery.

Locations, products, and speakers

• Locations: Henan, central China; a local hardware market; recycling depots on the city outskirts; and two night-market vending areas.
• Products and equipment: Recycled cardboard; a custom-built mobile beer cart with a fridge, storage batteries, and draft taps; and craft beer.
• Speakers: Tyler; his mother; documentary host and narrator Tommy; and Tyler’s fellow night-market vendors.