Recently, Yu Donglai, founder of the retail chain Pangdonglai, was seen skillfully peeling, chewing, and selling sugarcane on the streets of Xuchang, Henan, just days after announcing his retirement. The contrasting scene, with sugarcane priced at 15 yuan peeled and 10 yuan unpeeled, quickly went viral online.

In the video, Yu Donglai, dressed in casual clothing, stood by a roadside sugarcane stall, deftly peeling and cutting the cane while occasionally taking a bite. His relaxed demeanor led netizens to joke that he "only wants to sell sugarcane after retirement."

On February 11, Yu Donglai posted on social media that he would officially retire after the Lunar New Year and transition to a role as an advisor. Daily operations of Pangdonglai will be managed by its decision-making committee.

Public records show that Yu Donglai was born in 1965 in Xuchang, Henan. Pangdonglai, formally known as Xuchang Pangdonglai Trade Group Co., Ltd., was established in March 1995 and operates as a comprehensive retail enterprise with 13 stores across Xuchang and Xinxiang. In 2024, the company reported nearly 17 billion yuan in total sales, over 600 million yuan in taxes paid, and profits exceeding 800 million yuan.

In November 2025, business registration data indicated that Yu Donglai had stepped down as general manager but remained chairman and manager.

Shortly after announcing his retirement, Yu Donglai changed his personal social media username to "Silly Rascal Yu Donglai." He has previously referred to himself as a "silly rascal" in public appearances, citing his mischievous behavior in his youth.