In late 1999, China was experiencing a manufacturing boom. From cities to rural areas, young people everywhere were chasing better lives. That year, I left behind my comfortable life in Taipei for love and moved to China, beginning my career in the southern shoe manufacturing industry. This seemingly ordinary yet full-of-potential field became the starting point of my 24-year career, fueled by dreams and love.
Discovering the shoe industry
Reflecting on that time, I was fascinated by shoe making, especially the design and development stages. My first job was as a shoe development and design assistant manager at a small shoe factory. My role involved coordinating between international designers and the factory’s production team.
I discussed innovative design ideas with designers daily and communicated these concepts to the factory workers. In the sample room, I watched as sketches transformed into tangible samples. Seeing designs come to life in shoes was always a breathtaking experience.
The booming shoe industry
The shoe industry was a new world, brimming with opportunities and challenges. In those years, China’s share of the global shoe market was rapidly growing, attracting investors and companies. It was a time of dreams and adventures, especially in the southern coastal cities, where new factories and shops seemed to pop up everywhere as if everyone was busy creating wealth.
Despite the excitement, I chose a conservative path, focusing on shoe development and design rather than rushing into new ventures. In hindsight, this cautious approach might have meant missing some great opportunities, but it also allowed me to solidify my skills and carve out my career path in the shoe industry.
The lives of migrant workers
Working closely with factory workers in the sample room allowed me to meet young migrant workers across China. These workers, mostly from rural areas, left their homes to work in factories. Each had their own story — some worked to support siblings, others to provide for their families, and some to make a name for themselves in the city.
We lived in basic dormitories provided by the shoe factory and worked tirelessly on the production line. The job might have been monotonous or challenging, but their desire to earn money and change their lives kept them going.
I remember a young worker from Sichuan named Xiao Wang, who was just in his early twenties, but already had extensive shoe-making experience. He often joked about supporting his younger siblings, which motivated him to work hard. He dreamed of returning home to open a small shop once his siblings graduated, escaping the hustle of factory life. Whenever we talked about his hometown, his eyes lit up with hope for the future. However, the reality was that changing their lives required long-term hard work and perseverance.
Finding fulfillment in the shoe industry
The stories of these workers deeply moved me. For them, the job was a means to an end, perhaps even monotonous. But every time I saw shoes transform from designs to finished products, I understood my role in the production line. The satisfaction came from completing a task and collaborating with these workers to create tangible results. This experience instilled a passion and sense of responsibility for the shoe industry.
Over time, I gained experience and gradually expanded my professional domain. As China’s manufacturing industry flourished, my work became increasingly busy, sometimes overwhelming. Despite the hectic pace, I felt fulfilled, knowing I was laying a solid foundation for my career.
Throughout my 24-year career, I witnessed the rise of China’s shoe industry and the silent dedication of countless migrant workers striving for their families and dreams. Looking back at 1999, the year I crossed the ocean for love and dreams, I still believe it was the bravest decision of my life. Although the uncertain future propelled me forward, becoming a part of the shoe industry and witnessing its ups and downs. While no one can predict the future, that initial determination kept me on this path.
Midnight fire
One ordinary summer night, the shoe factory in a small southern town was unusually quiet. After a busy day, the workers returned to their dormitories, a three-story building that seemed accustomed to bearing the labor and dreams of generations. Xiao Ye returned to her dorm, washed up, and sat on her bed to watch her favorite TV drama. Time slipped by, and she fell asleep to the sound of the show, with insects chirping outside her window.
A crackling sound in the middle of the night awakened Xiao Ye. Groggy at first, she soon smelled something burning. Alarmed, she got out of bed and opened the door, only to be met by a wall of orange flames. She quickly shut the door, her heart pounding.
She rushed to the balcony, grabbed her phone, and dialed 110. With a trembling voice, she shouted, “Our dorm is on fire! Help!” But the operator coldly replied: “This is the city fire department. You need to call your town’s fire department.” The response was like a cold splash of water. “I’m about to be burned alive! Can’t you transfer me?!” she pleaded.
The silence on the other end was deafening. Xiao Ye hung up, found the town fire department’s number in her contacts, and called for help again. By then, the fire had reached the window, and the air on the balcony was becoming unbearably hot.
A narrow escape
Waiting for rescue felt like an eternity. Xiao Ye covered her mouth and nose with a wet towel and crouched in a corner of the balcony, trying to stay away from the heat. The fire illuminated the entire dormitory building, and through the smoke, she saw her colleagues on other balconies, also calling for help. Finally, she heard the sirens of the fire trucks. Firefighters rushed into the building, using ladders to rescue people from the balconies. When Xiao Ye was safely on the ground, she looked back at the dormitory, now engulfed in smoke and flames, like a beast devouring everything in its path.
Lessons learned
Afterward, Xiao Ye learned that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the dining hall, exacerbated by the building’s age and insufficient fire safety measures. She lost all her personal belongings in the fire, but was grateful to be alive.
From that day on, Xiao Ye became more vigilant about safety hazards around her. She enrolled in first aid and fire escape training and advocated for fire safety knowledge among her colleagues. She often said: “That night, I stood on the edge of life and death. It was calmness and divine protection that saved me. But we can’t always rely on miracles.”
This harrowing experience became a lifelong lesson for Xiao Ye, inspiring her to be a force for change.
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