In China, thirty-five has long turned into an invisible watershed for ordinary adults, an unwritten age barrier deeply rooted in both the job market and romantic dating circles. Having turned 38 already, I find myself stranded in an awkward middle zone most people fail to perceive.
Employers quietly set unstated age limits during hiring, and middle-aged applicants get frequently overlooked in favor of younger candidates no matter how solid their professional experience is. In dating scenarios, my age also becomes an unavoidable disadvantage, making it extremely difficult to meet a suitable partner and start a family. I am deemed too old to land decent jobs or build a marital life, yet still too young to settle for complete surrender and early retirement.
To keep living within limited income, I reside on the suburban fringe and prepare simple home-style Chinese dishes for every meal, leading a quiet, solitary lifestyle. Every ordinary day is filled with silent struggles to make ends meet.
Many readers may grow curious: what series of unexpected twists and hidden reasons gradually led me into this unemployed, single suburban life?

Written by Li. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 International License.
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