At a reading dialogue themed "The Power of Reading" to mark the 30th World Book Day, former police officer-turned-writer A Yi shared how reading transformed his life. Initially content with his job as an officer in a remote village in Jiangxi province, his perspective shifted after reading Stendhal's?The Red and the Black. In his description, the protagonist's ambition and recklessness influenced him to leave his hometown in search of a greater purpose, ultimately leading him to Beijing and a career in writing. "I realized I should be responsible not just for my small world, but for the entire planet," he said.

Watch the video to learn more about his journey.