35-year-old on the Subway

Li Ming felt like a locomotive abandoned by the times. He had once roared through the tunnel of youth, but now he was stuck on the rusty sidetrack of 35.

The subway roared through, pushing him relentlessly from a station called "Hope" to a terminal called "Disappointment." The carriage was crowded with people, and each face was like a newspaper crumpled by life, with anxiety and fatigue written all over the front page. Li Ming looked at these faces, as if he saw countless versions of himself in parallel universes.

He was once a shining screw in this city, spinning day and night in a well-known Internet company. Code was his language, the keyboard his weapon. He used his youth and sweat to contribute to the company's APP building. He thought that as long as he worked hard enough, he could take root, blossom, and bear fruit in this city.

However, 35, like a ruthless gate, suddenly fell. The company began to "optimize" its personnel structure, and his name was on the layoff list. The reason was very official: "Too old, not in line with the company's younger strategy."

Li Ming couldn't understand. He was still young and strong, and experienced, so how could he be "too old"? He was like a robot with its power plug pulled out, losing power and direction.

In the subway, a young girl was on the phone, her voice sweet and full of energy: "Hello, Mom, I found a job! It's an Internet company. They said I'm very young and have great potential..."

Li Ming's heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand. He remembered when he had just graduated, he was also so high-spirited and full of hope for the future. At that time, he certainly couldn't have imagined that ten years later, he would be abandoned by the times because of his "age."

He began to frantically submit resumes, like a drowning man desperately grabbing at every straw. However, most companies seemed to have agreed to shut their doors to him. The interviewers smiled politely and kindly, but their words were like sharp knives: "Mr. Li, your experience is very rich, but this position requires younger people."

"Younger people..." Li Ming smiled bitterly. This word used to be his pride, but now it had become his shackle.

He even began to doubt himself, wondering if he was really old, and if he really couldn't keep up with the times? He began to be afraid of looking in the mirror, afraid of seeing the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, afraid of seeing the thinning hair on his head.

The subway arrived at the station, and Li Ming poured out of the carriage with the crowd. He stood on the crowded platform, looking at the people coming and going, and suddenly felt a sense of confusion. He didn't know where he should go or what he should do.

At this moment, a familiar figure came into his sight. It was his former colleague, Zhang Qiang, an "old brother" a few years older than him. Zhang Qiang also saw him, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"You too..." Li Ming's words were interrupted by Zhang Qiang before he could finish.

"Yeah, you too." Zhang Qiang patted Li Ming on the shoulder, "Don't be discouraged, brother, all roads lead to Rome. I just finished an interview with a small company, and they don't mind my age."

Li Ming looked at Zhang Qiang, and a glimmer of hope seemed to reignite in his eyes.

Perhaps, life is like this, full of unexpected twists and turns. You never know what awaits you at the next station. But as long as you're still alive, there's still a chance.

Li Ming took a deep breath. He decided not to dwell on his age or indulge in the past. He wanted to be like Zhang Qiang, start again, and find his own way.

After all, life is like this subway. Even if it temporarily goes off track, it will always find a new direction. And what he has to do is to hold on tightly to the handrail and not be thrown off the train.

He didn't know where the terminal was, but he knew he was still on the road.