A surreal and disturbing case out of Nanjing, China has gripped social media: Uncle Red, a 38-year-old man surnamed Jiao, pretended to be a woman and allegedly lured 1,691 men into intimate encounters.
Gifts brought to Jiao included daily necessities: a half-used cooking oil can, a box of milk, toilet paper, and fruit. These weren’t payment but tokens requested in place of money for physical contact, something Uncle Red claimed was “free.”
Among the men drawn in were muscular, gym-like figures, youthful student types, and even married men or those about to marry. Despite Sister Hong’s clearly masculine build, visible Adam’s apple, and large hands, many chose to stay even when their suspicions about his gender were confirmed.
Why didn’t they walk away?
Netizens and officials alike asked the same question: why did so many stay even after realizing Uncle Red was a man in disguise?
There are three core psychological layers:
- It’s “free”: Uncle Red never asked for money, only symbolic gifts. Many felt they weren’t risking much: no legal danger, no financial cost.
- Manipulation tactics: Uncle Red avoided direct confrontation when questioned. He either deflected or feigned anger, confusing his “guests” and buying time to escalate the situation.
- Desire over reason: For many, lust blurred logic. Once inside the door, hesitation was overpowered by impulse.Uncle Red reportedly wore a mask until the very last moment, launching into action before the men could react, leaving many to think, “Well, I’m already here…”
This reveals the tragic irony: while Uncle Red appeared to be the one chasing partners, it was often the men who actively sought one-night stands. In such dynamics, who is the hunter and who is the prey becomes ambiguous.
A psychological trap
Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud once stated that desire is as fundamental as hunger a core human instinct. Fulfilling physical desires often offers not just relief, but validation, security, and even a sense of worth. Uncle Red exploited that instinct.
By using “free intimacy” as bait, he built an invisible power hierarchy: while men believed they were in control, Sister Hong was the one setting the rules by redefining gender roles and expectations.
And the “free” experience? In hindsight, it was the most expensive kind.
Fallout and regret
Now that the scandal is public, many of the 1,691 men are dealing with devastating consequences. Their identities are being exposed online, family members have recognized them, and social media accounts are being uncovered. The backlash is brutal and irreversible.
This bizarre tale has sparked massive online debate, partly because it’s so absurd it borders on tragicomedy. But it also serves as a warning. In the modern maze of hookup culture, people like Sister Hong and those who respond to him aren’t the norm, but their actions reveal deeper truths about desire, deception, and the cost of chasing pleasure without boundaries.