Across more than 10 cities and towns I visited this year — Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Qingdao, Ruili, Pu’er, Baoshan, Mangshi and Xishuangbanna — I spoke with over 50 residents from different socio-economic backgrounds, and across all walks of life. I see different Chinas, and the ways ordinary people including migrant workers, office employees, scholars and local officials exercise their agency. The vast disparities in how people live across city tiers make me rethink what lies behind labels such as “weak demand” and “involution”, and what cannot be priced into markets.