An Epic of Mortals

Beginning: Sixteen-year-old Lin An lives in a warm, ordinary family. His grades are above average, and he has the innocent worries of youth.

2. Upheaval: His parents suddenly die in an accident. He is sent to an unfamiliar city to live with distant relatives, where he experiences the warmth and coldness of human nature.

3. A Glimmer of Light: At his new school, he is ostracized for being quiet. But his homeroom teacher, Mr. Chen, a key mentor, notices his talent and pain, gives him the care of a father and older brother, and tells him, "Hardship can be an abyss or a stepping stone. The choice is yours."

4. A Turning Point: Encouraged by Mr. Chen, he tries to fit in. He makes his first friend, Li Haoran, a cheerful and loyal boy, and meets Su Qing, a classmate as warm as a little sun, who hints at a future romance. His improvement in the final exams lets him glimpse his first ray of hope.

Growth Goal: Make the shift from dependence to forced independence, learn to endure hardship, and plant the seed of change in his heart.