It’s getting dark. I was about to peel potatoes to cook, so I instinctively reached for the light switch. But the tube light wouldn’t turn on. I thought maybe the circuit breaker had tripped, so I went to check the main switch—there was no trip. Then I checked the indoor socket: it had power, and my phone was still able to charge. I thought it through carefully and decided the tube light must be broken.

So I ran to Taobao to see what model the tube I’d bought before was. I found it was T8, 1.2 meters long. On Pinduoduo, I saw that a T8 1.2-meter 30-watt tube costs 14 yuan, but I found another one cheaper for just 11 yuan. Then I placed the order.

The old one was 24 watts, and this time I ordered a 30-watt one—so it should be much brighter than before. The last tube was bought in 24, and it was used for about two years. This new one should last for about another two years as well. No more talking—I need to go cook. There are still potatoes lying on the floor. Tonight, I can only use a flashlight to see, because it’s pitch-black and you can’t see anything clearly.