Broken Legs

A woman stood out in the crowd of vendors and giggling customers with her hearty laughter. Under her laughter was a story filled with the glamour of fate and the spectacular coincidence that dictated her life—a story initiated by her broken legs.

The store owner and her squishy toys

 “Modern, elegant, immeasurably delicate!” These were the words Bi used to describe Shanghai.  “Shanghai feels just like these little stuff I sell,” she said, pointing at her colorful array of slime-squishy toys. The stall looked like a small restaurant: Japanese sushi, ramen, wonton, pasta, and even French fries were meticulously crafted in tiny dishes, every single rice grain visible.

 “Life in Shanghai is tough. It completely changed my destiny.” 

Severely injuring her leg while playing around with her sister in early childhood, Bi was forced to stay in Shanghai due to an accident. “I loved this place when I visited as a kid. I don’t know whether the accident was a fortune or not, but I stayed here anyways.” She recalled, sharing hardships of adapting to the brand-new environment. 

“My grades began to slip when I transferred to Shanghai. I used to excel in all the subjects, yet adapting to a new curriculum wasn’t easy.” 

Academics was one of the greatest challenges Bi confronted here, yet friends supported her in this journey with thorns. Despite being far from home, she eventually found a sense of belonging in the city. “I always believed that God will bless someone hardworking,” Bi’s face glimmered with pride as she talked about the offer she received from medical school. It was something she had never considered before, a surprising present brought by her endeavors and fate.

Now, Bi is married to someone who used to go to the same school as she does in her hometown. Her husband is encouraging, and together they overcome the challenges life brings.

“I lost my job last month and was immersed in depression. It was my husband who encouraged me to start a new career, guiding me to find my passion in making these slime squishies.”

Bi shared how she often feels fully occupied by the trivial matters of life: children, work, rent, livelihood. However, surrounded by beloved one, she regards all these misfortunes as negligible.

“Destiny brought me here and brought us together. Oh! And my husband’s old housing was recently demolished! The compensation was huge, alleviating our family’s financial pressure to a great extent!” 

Unfortunate opening can drive a spectacular story.  Bi was a true believer in destiny, displaying optimism and a stoic sense of acceptance. 

Before closing, a young child tugged at her sleeve, eyes wide with excitement, clutching a squishy toy they just couldn’t resist. She knelt, helping them pick out their perfect companion with the same warmth and care she has shown all day. With a heart full of gratitude and hands ready for another day, she locks up her stall. 

“Who knows what is going to happen next?” She laughs, and this is where our conversation ended.