Cover of To Run Like a Dog.[Photo provided to China Daily]

One of his high school teachers gave Li some classic books such as The Old Man and The Sea and asked him to write book reviews.

Reading soon became his main pleasure, Li says.

In 2010, before he left home for private school, his father proudly said, "My son is going to be a college student soon".

His father's confidence in him changed the way he looked at academics.

On entering college, Li spent more time reading and tried his hand at writing short stories but didn't get published until after his graduation.

His career took off after college, when he started to contribute to top literary publications, and soon obtained many readers and online support from fans.

Li says of To Run Like a Dog: "School and exams are just part of life, but the important thing is to be persevering to create a good life for oneself."