The conventional path of landing a job at a prestigious large corporation for a high salary and stability was once the ultimate goal for many well-educated young people. Today, a growing number of professionals are shifting their focus away from these "golden tickets" and instead seeking hands-on experience and opportunities within emerging sectors. A recent visit to an AI short-drama company in Zhengzhou revealed the stories of these highly educated young people and showcased the tangible results of Henan's "AI Employment Special Action" initiative, which is creating a powerful synergy between young talent and the digital industry.

Transitioning from passive competition to proactive reinvention, 26-year-old Fu Yuxuan, a full-time master's student at Wuhan University, made a deliberate choice to deviate from the norm. "I can't stand the rigid, multi-layered reporting structures where personal initiative is stifled. I prefer to be the 'head of a chicken' rather than the 'tail of a phoenix.' In a smaller company, I can truly leverage my talents," he explains. As a department director at an AI short-drama company, Fu Yuxuan started from the most basic position and was promoted to a leadership role within just six months. He believes that young people today no longer view the civil service exam or working for a big-name company as the only path to success. "In our company, results and performance are what matter. I feel my salary matches my abilities, and I support all my own living expenses and tuition. I live my life exactly the way I want to."

Compared to the standardized processes of large corporations, Fu Yuxuan values "real-world growth" and "industry prospects" more. In his current role, he can adjust workflows and place team members where they excel, a level of trust and autonomy he feels would be rare to find in a large enterprise at his age. "My goal was to earn one million yuan before I turned 30, and to be honest, I've basically achieved that already. My next target is to make more money before 40, ideally ten million. Once I hit that, I'd consider changing paths and retiring early," he says with clear aspirations for his future.

While Fu Yuxuan takes an outward, aggressive approach to his career, his 26-year-old colleague Du Mingxuan, chose a different form of exploration. A graduate in environmental design, Du Mingxuan pivoted to the digital creative industry after witnessing the decline of his traditional field. He joined the same AI short-drama company through a family connection, completing a cross-industry transition from design to digital media. "The idea of 'lying flat' shouldn't be taken literally; it's just a personal way of coping with life," he says calmly, his dyed blonde hair and slow, measured speech giving him a "zen" aura. He decided to stay in Zhengzhou to be closer to his family and because he sees the potential in the local digital industry. "The job market has changed. Young people are all looking for the right balance between work and pay. The AI film industry has been a turning point for me. It has drastically reduced the cost of video generation, making it accessible to everyone," he notes. Du Mingxuan is constantly learning new skills, and despite joking that he wants a break, his work is consistently high-quality.

Attracted by the relaxed work environment, Du Mingxuan appreciates the freedom he’s given. "Our company culture is very laid-back. For instance, our department's name was chosen democratically; there are no rigid rules. As long as we get the work done, we basically have the final say." This structured flexibility is something he truly enjoys.

These individual stories reflect a broader shift from the "peacocks flying southeast" phenomenon, where talent migrated to coastal cities, to a new era of "building nests to attract phoenixes" in central China. Fu and Du are not exceptions but rather a microcosm of a wider change in career philosophy among highly educated youth. They are no longer prioritizing big tech or famous brands, but are instead drawn to real-world experience, growth potential, and the future of the company itself. This transformation is supported by Henan Province's efforts to cultivate new productive forces and develop jobs in the digital sector. Through the "AI Employment Special Action," the province is actively using policy guidance, platform construction, and financial support to create new digital roles and offer young talent a vast "new stage." From AI short dramas to digital cultural creativity, from smart manufacturing to intelligent services, a growing number of emerging companies are taking root in the Central Plains, attracting ambitious and educated young people like Fu Yuxuan and Du Mingxuan.

As Du Mingxuan says, "Life will always find its own way." In an era of constant change, pursuing inner peace and tangible growth has become the most stable choice. By investing in future industries like AI, Henan is not only injecting new energy into its high-quality economic development but also showing young people that they can seize the opportunities of the times right at their own doorstep.

Both Fu Yuxuan and Du Mingxuan used the same word during interviews: "clarity." They refuse to be dragged into senseless competition but run with full speed in the fields they love. They claim they want to "lie flat," yet their actions show them moving forward. This might be the truth about this generation: in a world they often describe as "absurd," they are choosing to live seriously on their own terms. As Henan enters a phase of cultivating new productive forces, the rational career choices of its young people are providing solid talent support for industrial growth. In return, the province's booming digital industry is offering fertile ground for their development. The young people who say they want to "lie flat" are, in fact, running without pause. Through their choices, they prove that as long as you have passion and a track to run on, you can shine no matter where you are.