It all started with bugs

Zhang stands in a river to catch water creatures. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In 2011, he pursued a master's degree in agricultural entomology and pest control at China Agricultural University in Beijing.

During the study period, Zhang worked as an intern at Chinese magazine Natural History.

He also helped operate the magazine's account on Sina Weibo.

At the beginning, Zhang just stuck to usual knowledge-oriented content.

Though sometimes his humorous language appealed to some netizens, the outcome wasn't good enough.

Zhang later tried a unique way: inviting netizens to ask questions.

As tricky as a question might be, Zhang always gave a satisfactory answer.