Mr Chow 周先生
For over 30 years, I have been immersed in the sauce-selling market, dedicating long hours to my work from dawn till dusk. Unfortunately, the landscape of this market has drastically changed due to shifting societal eating habits. Despite this, I can't help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia. The older generation has gradually faded away, but I, unlike them, have managed to persevere. However, at my age and with such a modest income, I cannot afford to be complacent. If I continue relying on this meager income in the coming years, I fear I won't be able to sustain myself.
Admittedly, I haven't encountered many hardships, except for the dwindling number of customers in my familiar territory. The altering fabric of society has prioritized population density in specific areas, and this has had a significant impact. Just take a look at Hong Kong's transportation network—new buildings have sprouted up everywhere, while the narrow streets of our old neighborhood have widened, and public housing estates have mushroomed. The affluent invest in properties, leaving fewer and fewer of us behind.
At present, I find solace in immersing myself in Chinese and Russian literature. I devour everything from novels to thought-provoking essays penned by others. Although in the past I had a particular fondness for finance-related literature, financial essays, in particular, captivated my interest. However, my literary collection is rather modest, consisting of only two books that delve into the years 1966 and 1968. Remarkably, the author has masterfully crafted these works.
Yet, books do not dominate my life entirely. While I recognize their significance, there is something that the people of Hong Kong truly adore and flock to purchase: horse betting. It used to be a favorite pastime for a significant portion of individuals in our age group. Regrettably, this tradition has gradually faded away, losing its appeal to the younger generation. If I were to offer advice, I would suggest seizing any opportunity to travel abroad, to explore new horizons and broaden one's perspective.
我喺呢個市場做咁耐，賣醬料嘅工夫已經有30年。我每日早晨就開始工作，忙到夜晚。而家呢個市場已經冇乜嘢可以提供，因為社會嘅飲食習慣改變咗。但係我有一種好懷念嘅感覺。舊一輩已經被社會淘汰，但我仲未被淘汰。以我而言，我已經老咗，收入又咁少，我無辦法承受被淘汰嘅後果。如果以後幾年都要靠咁少嘅收入生活，我就連自己都養唔活。我冇乜遇到困難，只係舊區嘅客人越來越少。因為社會變遷，人口密度係特定區域非常重要。睇下而家香港嘅交通網絡，四周都蓋起新樓，而我哋舊區，窄窄嘅街道變得闊咗，到處都係公屋邨。有錢就買樓，所以我哋越來越少咗。
而家我鍾意睇中國同俄羅斯文學。我讀啲嘢好廣泛，包括別人寫嘅散文。過去，我鍾意睇關於金融嘅書。金融散文真係最好睇。而家，我只有兩本書，講述1966年同1968年嘅事。作者寫得好好。
但書唔係我生活中最重要嘅部分。唔係話佢唔重要，而係香港人最鍾意同去買嘅嘢：馬票。我哋同齡嘅人有好大一部分都好鍾意，但而家已經失去咗年輕一代嘅興趣。如果我要俾你建議，我會話如果有機會出國，去睇睇，開闊一下眼界。
我在这个市场做了这么多年，卖调味酱。我的日常工作从早到晚都很忙碌。现如今，这个市场已经没有什么可以提供了，因为社会的饮食习惯已经改变了。但是我有一种很强烈的怀旧情感。老一辈已经被社会淘汰了，但我还没有被淘汰。我已经到了这个年纪，收入又这么少，我承受不起被淘汰的后果。如果未来几年还得依靠这么少的收入，我将无法养活自己。我并没有遇到很多困难，只是在老区的客户越来越少。因为社会发生了变化，特定区域的人口密度成了首要考虑的因素。看看现在的香港交通网络，四周都建起了新楼，而我们的老区，狭窄的街道变宽了，到处都是公共住宅区。有钱的人买房子，所以我们这些人越来越少了。
现在，我喜欢阅读中文和俄文文学。我读的东西很广泛，包括别人写的散文。过去，我喜欢阅读有关金融的书籍。金融散文真的是最好的。现在，我只有两本书，讲述了1966年和1968年的故事。作者写得非常好。
但是书并不是我生活中最重要的部分。并不是说它不重要，而是香港人最喜欢去买的东西是：赛马。我们这个年龄段的很大一部分人都非常喜欢，但现在年轻一代已经失去了对它的兴趣。如果我要给年轻人一些建议的话，我会说如果有机会出国，去看看，开阔自己的眼界。