I wrote this story in the hope that young people facing similar struggles will be seen and know they aren’t alone. Even a chapter of life that seems like a failure isn’t a complete failure, and having someone by your side can itself be a source of strength. The times are getting better, but our individual lives don’t always seem to be. In this life that is inevitably headed toward death, I want to leave something behind. This novel only depicts phenomena that exist in real life. It does not define or judge.
The story takes place in Shanghai from 2018 to 2025.
Setting and people: The workplace in a first-tier city amid slowing economic growth; people born in the 1990s and Generation Z.
Tags: Family of origin, generational conflict, intimate relationships, personal growth, complex trauma (CPTSD), companionship from pets.
