“寻子的哥”杨晓青：把孩子找回来，不是为了让他做“笼子里的鸟”｜我们的四分之一世纪

Core Viewpoint - The article narrates the poignant story of Yang Xiaoqing, a taxi driver in Shenzhen, who has spent 17 years searching for his missing son, highlighting the emotional and financial toll of his quest amidst the backdrop of Shenzhen's evolving taxi industry and real estate boom [6][28][58]. Group 1: Yang Xiaoqing's Background and Career - Yang Xiaoqing has been a taxi driver in Shenzhen for 28 years, transitioning from a red Jetta to a blue BYD electric vehicle [6][58]. - He initially worked in a factory before becoming a taxi driver in 1997 during the "golden era" of the industry, where he could earn significant income [8][10][11]. - The taxi industry was regulated by color-coded zones, with red taxis allowed to operate in the more lucrative areas of the city [11]. Group 2: The Incident of His Son's Disappearance - On December 19, 2004, while playing chess with neighbors, Yang's two-year-old son went missing, leading to a frantic search that lasted through the night [14][18]. - The police could not file a missing person report until 24 hours had passed, which Yang believes allowed potential kidnappers to escape [19][20]. - A taxi driver reported seeing two suspicious men with a child matching his son's description, but the investigation was hampered by outdated surveillance technology [22][23]. Group 3: The Long Search for His Son - Over the years, Yang spent significant amounts of money on search efforts, including printing thousands of flyers and traveling to various locations based on leads [29][31]. - Despite societal pressure to move on and have more children, Yang remained committed to finding his son, driven by guilt and fear for his child's well-being [32][36][40]. - He encountered both skepticism and support from the community, with some urging him to accept the loss while others offered help [33][41]. Group 4: The Reunion and Its Aftermath - In December 2021, Yang received a call from police confirming that his son had been located in Hubei and was attending university [47]. - The reunion was marked by a sense of surrealism, as the son had grown into a young man, contrasting sharply with Yang's memories of him as a toddler [49][50]. - Yang chose not to impose his desires on his son regarding relocation or name changes, respecting his son's autonomy and current life situation [56][57]. Group 5: Current Situation and Reflections - The taxi industry in Shenzhen has changed significantly, with increased competition from ride-hailing services affecting drivers' incomes [58][60]. - Despite not achieving financial success in the traditional sense, Yang feels a sense of relief and happiness now that he has reunited with his son, indicating a shift in his emotional state [61][62].