This paper examines two Chinese working-class writers: Wanchun Hu (1929-98) and Lijia Zhang (1964- ). With a focus on their working-class identity and its relation to their literary works, I discuss their struggles with what Hans-Georg Moeller and Paul J. D’Ambrosio refer to as different “identity technologies” and related internal and external conflicts. The specific identity technologies in question are those defined by Moeller and D’Ambrosio as role-related “sincerity” and individuality-oriented “authenticity.” First, I offer a brief history of Chinese working-class literature to illustrate how “literature for the proletariat” was transformed into literature “by the real working class.” I then discuss Hu’s literary works and unpack his class identity formation under the regime of sincerity. I finish by looking at Zhang’s undoing of her working-class background and experience to develop a different selfhood in authenticity. I argue that these two authors are shaped by different identity technologies in contrasting ways, resulting in different Chinese working-class writings.