A College Student’s “Home-Cooking” Side Hustle
Zhang Lin, a 20-year-old college student born in the late 2000s, has recently become a small online sensation. Unlike many of her peers who take part-time jobs in cafés or convenience stores, Zhang offers a rather special service: she cooks meals at customers’ homes.
The idea came to her almost by accident. Last semester, she helped a busy neighbor prepare dinner and was paid 80 yuan. Surprised by how much people were willing to pay for a home-cooked meal, she posted her service on a local lifestyle app. Within a week, she had more requests than she could handle.
Now, during weekends and holidays, Zhang takes up to four orders a day. She plans menus with clients in advance, buys fresh ingredients, and cooks at their kitchens. Her dishes range from simple home-style food to slightly more elaborate dinners for small family gatherings. On a particularly busy Saturday last month, she completed four bookings and earned 2,350 yuan in a single day—more than some full-time workers make in a week.
Zhang says the job is tiring but rewarding. “Standing in someone else’s kitchen for hours is hard work,” she admitted. “But I love cooking, and I get to meet different people. It also pays my tuition and living costs.” She keeps her prices reasonable and always cleans up before leaving.
Not everyone is optimistic, though. Some worry about safety, trust, and whether young students should take such physically demanding part-time work. Zhang, however, has built a regular client base through good reviews and careful communication. She even turns down orders if she feels uncomfortable about the location or the request.
For Zhang Lin, cooking is no longer just a hobby—it is a bridge between campus life and the real world, one home-cooked meal at a time.
Reading Comprehension Questions
1. What makes Zhang Lin’s part-time job different from typical student jobs?
A. She works in a café.
B. She cooks meals at customers’ homes.
C. She sells ingredients online.
D. She teaches cooking at school.
2. How did Zhang Lin start her home-cooking service?
A. A company hired her after graduation.
B. She was asked to cook for a neighbor and got paid.
C. Her university arranged the job for her.
D. She learned about it from a TV show.
3. How much did Zhang Lin earn on her busiest day mentioned in the passage?
A. 80 yuan.
B. 350 yuan.
C. 2,350 yuan.
D. 5,200 yuan.
4. Which of the following best describes Zhang Lin’s attitude toward her job?
A. She finds it easy and relaxing.
B. She dislikes meeting customers.
C. She thinks it is tiring but meaningful.
D. She plans to quit school for cooking.
5. What can we infer about Zhang Lin from the last paragraph?
A. She treats cooking as both a skill and a way to grow.
B. She no longer enjoys cooking as before.
C. She only cares about making money.
D. She wants to open a restaurant immediately.
Answer Keys
1. B
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. A
