Ms. Xu ignored her. “If you come at 12 o’clock, the aunties will give you less food,” Ms. Xu said, speaking softly. Ms. Xu is familiar with the rhythms of the Tongxinhui Community Canteen because she eats there every day to save money. “Only when you save money will you feel safe,” she said. A devastating crash in the value of real estate, where most household wealth is tied up, has heightened a feeling among young working professionals like Ms. Xu that their situation is precarious, too.

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Persons: Maggie Xu, Xu, Ms Locations: Shanghai, Tongxinhui, China