Zhang Jing sorts out agricultural produce that she sells online in Northeast China’s Liaoning province on Jan 10. [Hei Ke/for China Daily]

Despite this success, Zhang still faces a number of challenges. She is having difficulty obtaining hukou, or household registration, for her son. Without it, he will not be able to enroll in high school.

"I don't have a solution to this problem yet, but I will try my best to fix it," Zhang said.

She said her son has drawn considerable public attention because of his father's case.

The youngster has a talent for painting, and he was invited to Beijing and Hong Kong to exhibit his work. Many people accused Zhang of exploiting the boy to make money.

"I don't mind the criticism," she said. "I didn't do anything with bad intentions, I am his mother and I know how to protect him.