Friend, U ok?朋友你好

Sharing My Recent Updates on Medium

Friend, U ok? 朋友，你好吗？

Recently, I’ve been busy trying to make ends meet and haven’t had much chance to discuss my life on Medium. Instead, I’ve been posting some articles about past experiences and various random topics. I apologize for the lack of updates.

Friend, U ok?

I chose this greeting as the title with a hidden motive. Yes, there’s a hidden motive. As you may know, one of my recent design projects revolved around the exterior and interior design and planning of a modern art exhibition in Luohu, Shenzhen. After weeks of effort, it has essentially come to a halt. The reasons are widely known — lack of government support and, more importantly, the overall economic downturn, resulting in a lack of sponsorship. Furthermore, the investors haven’t provided the necessary funds for the initial renovation, curation, and management. Therefore, in the later stages, I named my prepared artworks:

Friend, U ok?

Lately, I’ve been involved in several design projects. I managed to receive design fees for a small hotel and a residential project, but the rest of them didn’t yield any compensation. It’s a part of the current operating model in China, where substantial debts prevail. You’re either stuck if you don’t work or crushed by debt if you do.

Many friends ask me,“Why do you keep working without getting paid?” They make a valid point. Due to this reason, after finishing my design work, I take on part-time jobs as a cleaner and food delivery person. I’m a diligent little bee.

Reflecting on the past, I went from being an ordinary draftsman to becoming the design director of three design companies. I then experienced two failures with my own design firms. Eventually, for the sake of uncertain ideals of free speech, my entire family moved to Hong Kong. Honestly, I feel lost. I’m just like a large number of people from mainland China who once had glorious lives but now struggle, yearning to escape as “21st-Century Technology Refugees.”

“21st-Century Technology Refugees” is a term I coined myself. When I moved to Hong Kong and contacted my cousins and relatives, without exception, they all informed me that they had completed the procedures and arrangements to immigrate to the UK and other European countries. When I arrived in this region, which was once known as the freest in the world, with my family in tow, I discovered that it was filled with elderly individuals and newcomers like me, who had just arrived from mainland China. Hong Kong has now been dubbed the “World Financial Center Ruins.”

Today, I’ll share this much with my friends on Medium. I will continue to share my life in Hong Kong with all of you. Thank you for your support.

Friend, U ok?