Born into a poor family, Li Ren grew up in the mountainous region of southern Anhui. His father's serious illness made their already impoverished family situation even worse. Encouragement from his high school homeroom teacher became the turning point that set him on a new path.
A stroke of luck: With the whole village pooling its money and a student loan, Li Ren entered Nanjing University carrying the hopes of his fellow villagers. His acceptance into the architecture department opened a new chapter in his life.
His first days in the city: The awkwardness of registering as a freshman and his encounter with Su Qing sowed the seeds of young love. While working part-time to support his studies, he was injured in an accident but unexpectedly landed an internship, showing the grit of someone striving to rise from humble beginnings.
His career journey: From assistant site supervisor at a construction site to an employee at a renowned design institute, Li Ren made three major career leaps over the course of ten years. Buying a home and getting married coincided with a downturn in the industry, bringing him his first major test in life.
Reborn through adversity: With his wife's support, he founded a studio and seized new opportunities by pivoting to green architecture. At the height of his career, he was offered a rural renovation project, completing his return to his roots and rediscovering the value of his work.
