Boys attend a model training class in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, last year.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Development 

Jiang Shuxiao signed up her daughter, Zhang Mengyao, for modeling courses and contests because the little girl enjoys the feeling of being a model.

"When she works the catwalk, she seems like another person, like an icy beauty. I wonder how this happened; maybe she is really into this and has a gift?" she said.

Enrolling the girl for modeling contests and a yearlong course has cost Jiang about 150,000 yuan, nearly half her annual salary.

"I will try my best to provide her with the conditions to develop her talent and prepare for a better future. I won't let her work right now, because she is too young. However, if she gets a really good opportunity, I will let her take it because it will help her," she said.

"Mengyao is lucky because many (online) fans like her. In the future, I want her to live a worthwhile life and step onto a bigger stage."