The Year 1979 in My Life

Summary

The passage describes an encounter between Li He, a college student, and Su Ming, a young trash picker in Beijing. After Li He helps Su Ming escape from some troublemakers, they share a meal at a local restaurant and discuss Su Ming's challenging life. Su Ming collects scrap and recycled items to make a living, struggling to earn money in the city. They travel to Su Ming's storage area on a tricycle through snowy streets, where Li He discovers a collection of seemingly worthless items like broken pottery, metal pieces, and a rusty bronze cauldron. The story highlights the economic challenges and survival strategies of urban working-class individuals in China.

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