A 20‑boyfriend scheme has captured national headlines after a woman publicly revealed how she convinced each of her suitors to gift her a brand‑new iPhone 7 shortly after its launch. According to her anonymous co‑worker, Xiaoli (a pseudonym) received and then resold all 20 phones to Hui Shou Bao, a major electronics recycling firm, amassing approximately ¥120,000 (~ US $17,000–18,000).
With the proceeds, Xiaoli reportedly made a down payment on a rural property, and during a house‑warming party, astonished colleagues by detailing how she financially secured her new home. Despite the buzz, when BBC Trending reached out via Hui Shou Bao, the spokesperson confirmed the sale—but Xiaoli declined any interview. She was “uncomfortable” with further media coverage, according to the recycling firm. The hashtag “20 mobiles for a house” raced across Weibo, yielding tens of millions of posts. Then again, speculation quickly spread that the entire narrative may have been a viral PR stunt, potentially orchestrated by the recycling company itself.
Today, the story remains a staple example of viral sensationalism and social media folklore—whether real or elaborate fiction.
