Wen Yibing describes what it was like to grow up in a town in the Gobi Desert.
There's first, the simple physical hardship of it.
Harsh winters, summer so hot the asphalt on the road would melt and get on her white school uniform.
She says this was China in the 1970s.
Her town, Chuquan, had a big factory that made products out of metal and steel.
There were some really poor farms.
Ebing's dad had a job that was better than most.
Yibin says he led the musicians for the local song and dance ensemble, making shows for the government.
Basically, you know, propaganda that would tour to smaller towns.
When she turned four and a half, her dad told her, you're gonna learn to play an instrument.
And she started on the violin.
It wasn't until she got older that.
He explained why he doesn't want me to have a job that has to be under the sun, in the factory with my hands, with heavy labor.
And then would your dad tell you, you have to do this because this is your future?
Yes, he would.
He would.
What would he say?
I remember one time he took me to the market.
There are people selling, like, garments on the street.
It was really hot.