introduction
Life in China's more than 2,000 counties may not be well known to most people, without the bustle and fast pace of life in the metropolis, but it has its own unique charm and charm.
Although most of the residents of the county town do not have a high income and a limited level of education, their lives are full of color and vitality.
From breakfast stalls in the early morning to karaoke in the middle of the night, from the busy work of civil servants to the nightlife of unemployed youth, every corner shows a different life story.
This article will take you into these counties and learn about those seemingly ordinary but full of warm slices of life.
The county town with a slight light woke up
In China's county seats, breakfast stall owners are already busy when the sky is slightly bright, and the sound of pots and pans clashing begins to echo in the air as the roller shutter doors are pulled up, and the rich aroma of soy milk fills the streets.
Mornings pass slower and nights longer than in other cities, and the residents of the county are not in a hurry to get to work, they have more leisure time and enjoy their own pace of life.
One of the life centers of the county is the mahjong parlor, at seven or eight o'clock in the morning, the breakfast stall has not been completely closed, and the mahjong parlor is already full of people.
Four middle-aged men sat around a wooden table, the mahjong on the table quickly collided and flipped in their hands, making a crisp sound, the proprietress served hot tea, the aroma filled the air, and they smoked cigarettes while loudly discussing the latest news and parents.
Not far away, at another table, several old ladies were also playing mahjong in full swing, their movements skillful, and each card played was accompanied by laughter and ridicule.
The air in the mahjong parlor was filled with the aroma of tea and the smell of tobacco, and the noise of the street outside seemed distant and indistinct at this time.
Workplace & Livelihood: Civil Servants and Shopkeepers
Civil servants undoubtedly occupy an important place in the employment structure of the county, and at nine o'clock in the morning, the county government compound is already full of bicycles and electric vehicles.
Young civil servants, dressed in neat uniforms, hurried into the office building, their jobs were tedious, but their status and income were relatively stable in this small city.
As the screws of the grassroots political power, they deal with all kinds of people's livelihood affairs and solve the troubles and problems of residents.
In contrast, the employees of individual businesses and private units, the proprietress of small restaurants are busy from morning to night, constantly stir-frying and washing dishes.
The doctors at the clinic are also busy receiving patients, the barbershop masters are cutting the hair of customers, and there are these busy figures in every corner of the county, although they do not have the stable income of civil servants, but their lives are equally fulfilling.
Of course, not all of them have stable jobs, and some young people have chosen an unemployed lifestyle for various reasons.
After twelve o'clock in the evening, the streets and alleys of the county began to become quiet, but there was always the roar of some motorcycles piercing the night sky, and a few young people were sitting in the cars, laughing loudly and enjoying the freedom of the night.
These people are called "second-rate people", they do nothing during the day and wander the streets at night, becoming part of the county's nightlife.
Still, they have their own social circles and ways of entertaining, and the county's internet cafes are the places they frequent, filled with smoke and the sound of keyboard tapping.
Young people get together, play black games, exchange various topics, and although life has no clear direction, they find their own fun here.
Nightlife: barbecue stands and KTV
In the evening, the other side of the county town begins to unfold, with groups of people sitting around the barbecue stall at the entrance of the park, and the tables are full of skewers and beer.
The red glow of the charcoal fire reflected on everyone's faces, laughter and conversation came and went, and the boss was busy flipping the skewers on the side, the heat of the charcoal fire made his forehead beads of sweat, but he still enjoyed it.
The KTV at night is equally lively, with colorful neon lights lighting up the entire neighborhood, and young people walking into the KTV box, and the sound of music immediately sounds.
They sang and danced to their heart's content, forgetting the worries and stresses of the day, this is a place for them to release their stress, and it is also an important place for them to socialize.
The Penetration of the Internet Economy: Pinduoduo and Online Shopping
The advent of the Internet economy has brought great changes to the lifestyle of county residents. Pinduoduo has become the first choice for many residents to shop.
In a small restaurant, several young people haggle with their mobile phones while eating, and they enthusiastically discuss the latest new products and share their shopping tips.
The proprietress of the restaurant took out her mobile phone and invited her friends to bargain for her in order to buy the goods she liked at the lowest price.
Pinduoduo not only satisfies their demand for low-priced goods, but also becomes a new way to socialize.
In addition to Pinduoduo, new retail forms such as Taobao live streaming and dollar stores have gradually entered the county, further enriching residents' consumption choices.
Taobao live streaming is also gradually becoming popular in the county, and at seven o'clock in the evening, many people turn on their mobile phones on time to watch the live broadcast show.
The anchor enthusiastically introduced various products, and the audience kept swiping the barrage in front of the screen, asking about the details of the goods, the atmosphere in the live broadcast room was lively, and the impulse to shop was constantly amplified in this atmosphere, and many people couldn't help but place orders to buy.
Residents can buy all kinds of goods through their mobile phones, and they are no longer limited to small shops in the county, and online shopping has become an indispensable part of their lives, changing their consumption habits.
The sustenance of spiritual life: film and television dramas and online novels
The spiritual life of the residents of the county is also rich, and at 8 o'clock in the evening, many families stay in front of the TV to watch the latest TV dramas, and domestic idol dramas and anti-Japanese war dramas have become their favorites.
Young people prefer to read online novels and play games on their mobile phones, and the Internet cafes in the town are still thriving, especially at night, when young people come here in droves to play black games and enjoy the fun of the online world.
epilogue
China's county life, although not as prosperous as the big city, has endless vitality and warmth, and people here find their own fun and meaning in simple life, whether it is playing mahjong, visiting Pinduoduo, or chatting with friends at the barbecue stand, it is an important part of their lives.
Despite all the challenges and difficulties they face, they still hold on to the happiness in the ordinary in their own way.
The stories of these counties reflect another side of Chinese society, and also let us see the diversity and resilience of life.
No matter how the times change, the warmth and human affection in the county will always remain the same, and continue to write a unique chapter that belongs to them.
Reference: In addition to sex, it is to play mahjong: a record of life in more than 2,000 counties in China__Financial headlines (sina.com.cn)