35岁的分界线

Lao Li is 34 years and 11 months old this year.

He's been a little troubled lately. It's not because of anything else, but because of that bright red recruitment notice posted near his home.

"Recruiting sanitation workers, requirements: good health, ability to endure hardship, under 35 years of age..."

Lao Li stared at the words "under 35 years of age" for a full five minutes. He took out his crumpled cigarette pack, pulled one out, lit it, and took a deep drag. The harsh smoke made him cough, but it couldn't dispel the knot in his heart.

35 years old, this hurdle, like an invisible line, brutally splits life in two. On one side of the line is youth, vitality, and endless possibilities; on the other side is aging, elimination, and endless anxiety.

Lao Li was once young too. At that time, he had just come to this city from the countryside, full of passion and longing for the future. He had worked as a construction worker, moved bricks, carried cement, and even sold snacks at a street stall late at night. He believed that as long as he worked hard, he could take root in this city and live a good life.

But reality hit him like a blunt blow to the head. Housing prices soared, the cost of living skyrocketed, and his meager income couldn't even buy him a toilet. His wife divorced him, and the child was awarded to her. He became a complete "loser."

Over the years, Lao Li has changed jobs many times. He has delivered food, worked as a security guard, and even done odd jobs on construction sites. But as he gets older and his health deteriorates, there are fewer and fewer jobs he can do.

Seeing that he was about to cross the "35-year-old" hurdle, Lao Li panicked. He was afraid of being abandoned by this society, afraid of becoming a useless "waste."

It's not that he hasn't thought about other options. But he has no education, no skills, and knows nothing except how to exert himself.

This recruitment notice, like a life-saving straw, gave Lao Li a glimmer of hope. Although the work of a sanitation worker is dirty and tiring, it is at least an "iron rice bowl" that can allow him to barely survive in this city.

But the words "under 35 years of age" were like a sharp knife, ruthlessly cutting off his hope.

Lao Li threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped on it fiercely. He looked up at the sky, which was gray and hazy, just like his mood at the moment.

He suddenly remembered when he was a child, there was a fortune teller in the village who said that he was destined to be a laborer in his life. He didn't believe it at the time, but now it seems that this fortune teller was really damn accurate!

Lao Li gave a wry smile and turned to walk home. He decided to go to the job market again tomorrow. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he had to try.

The next day, Lao Li came to the job market early. But after looking around, he found that almost all the recruitment notices clearly stated "under 35 years of age."

Lao Li's heart completely cooled.

He walked down the street in a daze, looking at the young people passing by in a hurry, his heart filled with envy and jealousy. He couldn't understand why this society was so cruel to "old guys" like them.

Suddenly, Lao Li's phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello, is this Master Li? I'm from the sub-district office. Did you come to see our recruitment notice yesterday?"

Lao Li was stunned, then he realized: "Yes, it's me."

"It's like this, Master Li. Considering your actual situation, we have decided to make an exception and hire you. You can come to work tomorrow."

Lao Li couldn't believe his ears: "Really? You really want me?"

"Yes, Master Li. The director of our sub-district office said that age is not a problem. The key is to have a sense of responsibility and be able to endure hardship. We believe in you, and you will definitely be competent for this job."

Lao Li was so excited that he couldn't speak, and tears welled up in his eyes. He repeatedly thanked him and hung up the phone.

He stood on the bustling street and suddenly burst into laughter. The laughter was full of bitterness, helplessness, and a trace of relief after surviving a disaster.

As he laughed, Lao Li's tears began to flow. He didn't know whether this was the favor of fate or the charity of society.

He only knew that from tomorrow, he would start sweeping the streets again. But this time, he wasn't just sweeping up garbage, but also his own heart, which had long been crushed by life.

And that invisible 35-year-old dividing line still stands there, like an eternal mockery, reminding everyone who is about to cross it:

You are old.