Crossroads of a Life

The choices of a life, and the practice along the way

Where you start

In the 1970s, you were born in China, Jingmen, in a county town. Your family was struggling, your parents held government jobs, and you had younger siblings. You were a boy.

• New Year's table has a plate of panlong cai. The grown-ups say an emperor ate it. In summer you swim in the Zhanghe Reservoir, and the water is cold enough to make you shake.
• In time for the rush south, and for the layoffs
• Every yuan in the house already has somewhere to go
• You're the eldest. You give way

Nobody chooses where they start. You can pick, or leave it to luck.