I was raised in a rural part of Wuhan, which, despite being the largest city in central China, feels worlds apart from the suburbs of major American cities. Our surroundings were dominated by paddy fields, and a two-hour walk was necessary to visit our grandparents.
I pursued my undergraduate degree in Chongqing, a city I find mesmerizing because of its distinctive mountainous geography. There, I not only met my ex-girlfriend, who became an instrumental figure in my life, but also forged lasting friendships over games like Starcraft and World of Warcraft.
Post-graduation, my ex and I relocated to Shanghai. I still vividly remember my initial days there — exiting the Lujiazui station on subway line 2 and being awestruck by the towering skyscrapers. I promised myself that I would work in one of these buildings one day.
Years later, while at UBS and involved in the campus hiring process for our sales and trading division, I was struck by the exceptional qualifications of the candidates. Their credentials were so stellar that a colleague humorously remarked they might soon list 'flying' as a skill. I asked an executive director at UBS why he had chosen me when I first joined the firm. His response was profound: some individuals outshine their resumes, while others pale in comparison. He always looked for potential beyond what was just on paper.
In contemporary China, finding the right life partner has become a challenge. Many are so engrossed in their education and careers that personal relationships take a back seat. A friend of mine shared messages from a dating group on WeChat where members identified themselves by their alma mater and property locations, focusing predominantly on their financial and education achievements. To me, this seems an inadequate way to find genuine companionship; truly getting to know someone requires time and effort because some individuals outshine their money and possessions.
After a few years, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to study in the US, and later pursued my Ph.D. Transitioning from the hustle and bustle of major cities, I settled in the rural Midwest of the U.S., which offered tranquillity and more time with family. However, I still need to work hard.
During my time in the industry, I traveled extensively across China. Today, I still cherish traveling, especially when the costs, like state/national park passes and tolls, are reasonable. Driving is another passion of mine. Whether it's to lull my kids to sleep or to experience the thrill of the Indy 500 track, I average about 30K miles annually. The most I've driven in a day is around 1,100 miles. For me, pushing the limits, whether it's flooring the gas pedal or braking hard at high speed, symbolizes the essence of life. Everyone should experience it at least once.