Benin trader makes a song and dance in Changsha

Since arriving as a student, Abohoui Luc has become a popular celebrity in his adopted hometown

An African man has found success as a businessman in China - and has even become a local celebrity.

Today, Abohoui Luc has a Chinese name, Mao Lyuke, and even says he feels like a local.

He has been living in Changsha, capital of Hunan province in Central China, for 16 years.

A native of Benin, on the coast of West Africa, Luc says he was interested in China even before his first visit. He admired Chairman Mao Zedong, movie star Bruce Lee and other famous Chinese people.

His dream of visiting the country came true in 2000 when he got the chance to study in China, funded by the Chinese government, when he worked for a construction company. Luc was enrolled at the Institute of Architecture at Hunan University, where he studied hard for his master's degree. After graduation, he chose to stay in Changsha and has lived there ever since.

Recalling his first day in Changsha, Luc says he at first found the city as hot as Africa. Gradually, he learned there are four seasons in Changsha, with a much more comfortable climate than that of Benin.

In the early days, language was a problem. Now, however, he can speak fluent Chinese and can even bargain with vendors at the market in the local Changsha dialect.

His life has been enriched by making many friends.

As the only foreign student in the architecture department at Hunan University, he received help from teachers and fellow students whenever he ran into problems with his studies or daily life.

"This had never happened to me in my own country," he says.

His first job in Changsha upon graduation was in the IT industry, which seemed to have nothing to do with his architecture degree.

However, Luc loves a challenge.

Changsha is a well-known city for entertainment and offers a welcome stage for Luc, who has a talent for singing and dancing. When he performed a section of a famous Peking Opera on a TV talent show in 2005, he caused quite a stir.

His sense of humor has made him a frequent guest on variety shows on Hunan TV. He took part in the Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, and CCTV's variety show Avenue of Stars.

Luc is popular on comedy shows, talk shows and as a TV host. When he sang the Hunan Flower Drum Opera in his own style, the TV audience was deeply impressed.

After finding fame, Luc made even more friends.

However, one important issue remained unresolved. He remained single at the age of 30.

According to Chinese tradition, a man in his 30s should have family and have established a career.

Friends tried to act as matchmakers. But in 2011, Luc met Guo Hongyan, who works at a pharmacy store in the same city.

He remembers clearly the big mistake he made when he first saw Guo.

"If you agree, I'd like to marry you at once," were the first words he uttered to her. That bombshell nearly ruined everything.

At first, Guo and her relatives didn't have much hope for the relationship. However, Luc's charm won them over.

He gradually gained their trust. Whenever he had time, he would go to stay with Guo's family and entertain them.

In the first half of 2011, Luc became very ill and was unable to take care of himself. He was told by the doctor that his condition - thrombocytopenia, an abnormally low number of blood platelets - was serious. Lying in a hospital bed, his condition deteriorated so much that he began to think his days were numbered.

For three months, Guo took great care of Luc. Her affection helped him recover. He was deeply touched and came to believe that Guo was an angel sent by God to save him.

After this drama, the couple fell in love. They bought a house in Changsha and got married in 2013. The birth of their daughter brought even more joy.

Luc lights up when talking about his child: "She has inherited my talents. She is also good at singing and dancing."

Nowadays, he jogs for about 20 kilometers after getting up every morning. He has his breakfast and then gets busy with his work. As a family man, he has learned to cook Chinese food and can now prepare well-known Chinese and Hunan dishes, such as fried pork with pepper.

His life has become fully integrated with the city of Changsha and he loves every aspect of his adopted home. When he isn't busy, he drinks tea, sings karaoke, enjoys Hunan food and goes to pubs with local people.

Sometimes, Luc says he misses the cuisine of his hometown in Benin, such as the delicious roast mutton. He eats it in China as well but doesn't think it tastes as good.

He is currently working in international trade, exporting home appliances, office supplies and snacks, made in China, to African markets, though his business is still in its infancy.

He likes challenges and plans to serve as a bridge between China and Africa. He hopes in future to make a contribution to tourism and culture exchanges between China and Africa.

Wen Xinzheng contributed to this story.

liuhongjie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 09/30/2016 page22)