Cui Manli always believed she'd follow a successful path in art, as her family in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, raised her in a strong atmosphere of traditional culture. But she led a successful business life in IT circles before she decided to dedicate herself to writing.

Born in 1970s, Cui has published four signature novels, some of which have beem adapted into TV dramas. She said her early education from her family on traditional Chinese culture will be featured in her next books.