According to Tan, all four got permission from their families to continue the business by showing them the sales volume in the first month, 30,000 yuan ($4,827).

The partners invested all the money they earned last year to develop the business.

"Earning money and finding a stable job should not be seen as a symbol of growing up. For us, doing something that we are passionate about is the way to become more mature. We are satisfied that we didn't lose any money in the first year, and we have gained experience in marketing and running the business." Tan said.

According to Ma Nan, the sales target for this year is 3 million yuan ($483,000). "Whether our business is successful or not, we have learned something and grown up during the process. That was the original intention of starting the business." Ma said.

According to statistics, the number of civil servant applicants surpassed one million each year since 2009. The number is expected to top 1.56 million this year. Some web users expressed concern with this.

A netizen named "Lixiaoguan" wrote, "With so many young people giving up their dreams and potential, who will realize the 'China dream'?"

Liu Xiaocheng, a teacher from the school of journalism and communication of Lanzhou University said, "Starting a business is not the only way to realize a dream, but seeking a stable life is definitely not a favorable trend."

He added, "Increasing the fairness of the social welfare system and providing a more flexible policy of becoming a civil servant will be great encouragement for young people to pursue their own dreams."

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