My name is Chen Xiaoman, and I moved to the city in 1993.
In those years, some people went south to pan for gold, some went to the sea to do business, and some made a living in the streets.
I belong to the last category.
After I was defrauded of all my wages at the construction site, I helped people set up chess games at the train station—not to cheat, but to help the stall owner greet customers and maintain order. Later, I gradually opened my own stall and had several brothers who worked together to earn a living.
We have worked in many businesses: game arcades, video parlors, and small commodity wholesale. I have been bullied and helped; I have fallen down and gotten up.
When the new century came, I sat in my shop and watched the fireworks on the street.
Looking back, although those few years were difficult, everyone held back their energy and felt that life would get better.
This is my story and the story of many people of that era.
