High-speed rail notes

After returning to China, I found it awkward to type articles on a computer in public, since everyone around me could read Chinese, so I had to hide the screen and type blindly. Unlike in the US, where speaking Chinese is all encrypted. On the plane back, a young man behind me jokingly said, "It's all because of those two sibi (meaning idiots) foreigners in front," and was immediately glared at by the foreigner in the next seat, who said, "Who are you talking about? Watch out."

Upon returning this time, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were more people with non-Chinese passports than Chinese passports. Long queues formed at the foreigners' immigration counter, while the Chinese immigration counter was practically empty. Of course, it's possible that Chinese citizens are processed faster. But this detail made me realize the strength and attractiveness of our motherland, a powerful testament to our power. I look forward to the day when more people enter than leave the country.

Whenever I'm out and about, I'm always filled with thoughts. Especially at the high-speed rail station, watching the crowds of people coming and going, all sorts of people with different moods heading to different destinations, I quietly observe and discover how fascinating this world is. Our lives are very limited; we can only choose to do some things, and the rest we need to learn from the outside world, whether through reading, communicating, or observing. Suddenly, I want to travel around and become a wanderer, but unfortunately, this leisurely mood will only last for a short time. Once I return to work, I might feel suffocated again.

I wrote this while riding the high-speed train to Hangzhou. Before, I didn't think much of riding high-speed trains. But after spending so much time in the US, coming back felt like a country bumpkin visiting a grand mansion – everything was convenient and high-tech. China's infrastructure has an unparalleled advantage as a latecomer, far surpassing that of the US. This gap is one the US can never close. It's like a hundred years from now, when people will compare Africa's late-developing advantages with China's "old" past.

I'm a chatterbox, and since coming back, I've finally been able to talk to different people, from taxi drivers to hotel staff. Different people bring up so many different things. The reason I can listen to everyone's stories so leisurely is because I'm outside this world, able to speak from a god-like perspective, which gives me a great sense of self-worth.

I used to enjoy telling my own stories, but as I get older, I enjoy listening to other people tell their stories more and more.

Stepping off the plane, I smelled the familiar smog. Everything was the same; even the smell of the taxi and the hotel sheets were so familiar. Home is always home. No matter how long you wander outside, you'll always feel that sense of warmth when you come back. I was chatting with a friend the other day, and since China is so wonderful, why are you still hesitant to go back?

My answer is: systems and culture. Both require long-term accumulation. Systems include the political system and the legal system, while culture refers to the quality of people. There's not much to say about the political system; as mentioned before, humanity hasn't found a system that suits it yet. China's system itself isn't bad, but it needs time to refine. The legal system faces the same problem. China's current legal system is very unsettling. In the US, you don't need to worry too much about getting things done because everything is part of a well-established system; you just follow it. The underlying legal system provides a strong sense of security. In China, due to the imperfections of the legal system, people act recklessly, forcing you to worry. Simple things become incredibly demanding. This makes life extremely tiring. And once problems arise, it's another huge drain on your energy. If you don't fight for it and do more, it's difficult to get fair treatment. In comparison, living like this is incredibly exhausting.

Another factor is culture. Our parents' generation went from poverty to wealth, and a large portion of our generation is still going through the same process. This unequal development experienced by the previous generation influences the mindset of the next. This is why many people today are lazy and unwilling to work, hoping to make money effortlessly, even taking risks for profit or seeking quick riches. If the previous generation's reform and opening up was the first step in development, then our generation is one that pursues fame and fortune. Only when the next generation, or even the generation after that, has most people found their place in society, are financially secure, and can pursue their ideals, will a balanced society be formed. Competition and deception will be greatly reduced. The reason the United States is the way it is today is because of its abundant resources; everyone knows they have their share, so why would anyone compete for resources?

A generation lives for 80 years, and their influence lasts for at least 50 years. So, if this continues for four generations, it will take at least 100 years, and that's assuming stable development... Just think about how the generation from the Cultural Revolution still has social influence today...

I think many people who like America share the same mindset as me to some extent: if you're going out into the world alone, there's no need to think so much, but considering your future family, children... there are so many things to deal with in life, and society is society because it helps everyone save themselves a lot of trouble.

Of course, these problems are not actually that serious. It mainly depends on the environment you are in. After all, there are so many people in China, from all walks of life, and the number of highly educated people will increase exponentially.

Okay, the high-speed train is so fast, it only took forty-odd minutes to get to Hangzhou. I'll stop here for now, and we'll chat again next time. By the way, I might write a book this time I'm back in China, documenting my five years of life in the US. :> Happy New Year everyone!