Rambling in the mall, a cleaning staff attracted our attention. Strands of grayness mingled in her hair, tiny wrinkles traced the edges of her eye, unmistakably presenting her age. Like all of her coworkers, she was vigorously rubbing the floor, yet uncommonly, a vibrant smile graced her face, which is an unusual sight amidst such mundane chores.
As we engaged in conversation with the cleaning staff, we came to learn that she hailed from Henan and arrived in Shanghai twelve years ago, around the age of fifty.
“Shanghai is like my second hometown, everything here has grown so familiar that when I’m asked about my home, two places emerge in my mind spontaneously”.
Driven by curiosity, we inquired about how she decided to come to Shanghai. Fifty isn’t regarded as a young age. At fifty, most people would opt for the familiarity of their hometown, maintaining the same lifestyle, rather than embarking on a new journey in a bustling metropolis.
“Well, sticking to the same lifestyle would be boring. I wanted to make some new attempts and see more facets of the world while I still have the physical strength and capacity to do so. Helping with agriculture in the small town of Henan for my entire life would be insipid, I’d rather pursue an insecure, unknown life compared to a monotonous and determined one.”
Light twinkled in her eyes as words flowed, and I was touched by her immense courage to take this step. In today’s China, how many people have trapped themselves in the pursuit of “stability”, unwilling to experience changes in life after their forties? The majority, I believe. Yet here is one of the most ordinary figures in the city, an elderly cleaning woman, and she chose a path that few dared to try. She knew exactly what she pursued and is willing to bring it to reality. Admiration swelled in my heart.
Working
Given her courage and enthusiasm towards both her occupation and life, my curiosity extended to what she would do during her spare time. As envisioned, she recounted many hobbies for leisure with enthusiasm.
“I like to ramble around Shanghai with my friends, try different cuisines, and immerse myself in the beauty of this city. I really enjoy the lantern shows in Chenghuang temple. Oh! And during my last holiday, I even had a vacation in Thailand, accompanied by my daughter.”
The woman’s life seems so ordinary, yet so diverse, fascinating, and splendid. She has such a talent for seeking pleasure in simple things, no wonder she wore a genuine smile while mopping the floor, it must be regarded as a wonderful little note in her unrestrained symphony of life.
I was eager to know whether the woman had thought about what she wanted to do after her retirement. Yet her answer was:
“Nah, haven’t thought about retirement yet. I like my job and the balance I’m currently positioned in between doing work and enjoying relaxation.”
So, we waved goodbye to each other and she returned to her mopping. Gaiety and optimism remained upon her face, yet unnoticeably, in this quiet afternoon, one smiling face multiplied into three.