The Crossroads of Life

The Crossroads of Life is a novel exploring personal ambition and the constraints of tradition. Its protagonist, Chen Yuqi, is a 36-year-old elementary school Chinese teacher who decides on the eve of her birthday to give up her stable life and pursue her dream of becoming a freelance writer. Her mother's illness and her family's lack of understanding leave her at a loss, but after she happens to meet Master Chen, a shadow-puppet artist, she discovers the possibility of combining traditional art with modern forms of expression. As she shares shadow puppetry through livestreams, she gradually grows popular, while Master Chen teaches her about the distinctive styles of shadow puppetry from across China. Through Chen Yuqi's story, the novel shows the importance of making bold choices at life's crossroads.