They were packed and ready to go home. Eleven months in a crowded ten bed dormitory, pouring concrete foundations for 2000 kuai a month.

Ge Ming hadn’t seen his wife or child since some time last year; still couldn’t afford to stay in a nice hotel or take a soft seat G-train home.

The minibus from the company would soon be there to take them to the train station. He wondered if it had all been worth it.