In Jiangxi Province, an ordinary tofu seller has become the face of China’s complex property rights battles—but not in the way he intended. Ye Yushou’s decision to reject a substantial compensation package has left his home marooned in the center of a major highway, creating one of the country’s most striking examples of a “nail house.”
When officials offered Ye 1.6 million yuan ($220,000) plus two new homes to make way for the G206 highway, he countered with a demand for 2 million yuan and three properties. Confident in his bargaining position, he even hired a Beijing lawyer to press his case. But the government had another solution: build around him.
Today, Ye’s house stands as a surreal traffic island, surrounded by speeding vehicles on all sides. Dubbed “The Eye of Jinxi” by locals, the property has become both a curiosity and a cautionary tale. During China’s busy holiday travel period, Ye confessed his regret to passersby, admitting he had overplayed his hand.
The contrast with his neighbors couldn’t be starker. Those who accepted the original offer have moved on, with one reportedly achieving millionaire status through smart investments. Ye, meanwhile, is left with a home that shakes from truck traffic and air thick with exhaust fumes. His story serves as a powerful reminder that in the face of progress, sometimes compromise is the wiser path.
