This book centers on Wang Yiming, a university counselor from a humble background, and vividly portrays the diverse careers and inner lives of counselors in contemporary higher education. Born in a poor mountain village, he graduates from graduate school and, after taking multiple recruitment exams and suffering repeated failures, finally achieves his goal of becoming a counselor at Jianghan University of Technology. As students born in the 2000s clash with those born in the 1980s, and idealism runs up against the barriers of reality, Wang Yiming draws on the resilience he learned in the mountains to break through and grow in his role.
The story focuses closely on the “last mile” of higher education. Through a series of realistic, relatable student cases involving mental health crises, academic struggles, romantic relationships, and personal aspirations, it reveals the complex role counselors play as students’ “life mentors” and “trusted friends.” This is more than one person’s story of striving: it is a prism through which to observe the doubts and growth of young people today, and a profound exploration of the nature and responsibilities of education. Adapted from numerous real events, the story is heartfelt, rich in detail, and deeply resonant and relevant to its times. It showcases the sense of duty and steadfast commitment of counselors at universities across contemporary China. Here are the confusion and passion of youth, the growing pains and warmth of coming of age, and the moving story of an ordinary educator whose life changes the lives of others.
This book is dedicated to all the hard-working university counselors, and to everyone living through their youth now or who has experienced it in the past.
