指路大神

I met Manli, a 46-year-old dancer, in an underground dance hall in Chongqing. Her story represents the reality of many middle-aged dancers. Manli comes from Wansheng, Chongqing, and has a slender figure and a gentle demeanor. However, her life is not as beautiful as her appearance. Manli told me that she has been working in various dance halls in Yangjiaping, Chongqing, for years, but the local dance halls have long dance sessions, which are physically demanding and mentally exhausting. The customers are also stingy, and it's hard to make a living. Many customers try to get the most out of their 10 yuan, touching every part of the dancers' bodies except the soles of their feet. Manli has been thinking of changing careers and moving to a different location. She asked me to help her find a dance hall in Chengdu where she can make a better living. Based on my experience working in dance halls in Chengdu and Chongqing, I told her that the dance halls in the Ximen area of Chengdu have a more mature customer base, better pay, and more generous customers. As we chatted, it was getting close to lunchtime, so I invited Manli to join me for lunch at a nearby Sichuan restaurant. The restaurant was simple and unpretentious, a typical eatery for workers and dancers. We ordered a few dishes, including Mapo tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and two bowls of rice. As we ate, Manli let her guard down and spoke candidly about her life. She said that she has to support her elderly parents and children in her hometown, and that's why she has been working in dance halls for years. She's not afraid of hard work, but she wants to find a dance hall with shorter dance sessions, better customers, and a stable income. I looked into her tired eyes and promised her that I would take her to Chengdu next month to explore the dance halls in the Ximen area. If she decides to leave Chongqing, I can help her find a new dance hall to work in. Over a simple meal and a casual conversation, I gained insight into the lives of middle-aged dancers in Chongqing's underground dance halls. Manli's story is just one example of the many dancers who are struggling to make a living.