Liang Xiaosheng is the pioneer of educated youth literature and also one of the core writers of contemporary Chinese literature.
——Meng Fanhua, Literary Critic

Despite vast changes since the 1990s, Liang Xiaosheng's impassioned voice remains uniquely powerful — his works continue to offer readers genuine intellectual fulfillment.
—Zhang Yiwu, Literary Critic

Writers fall into two categories: one serves society, and the other serves the soul. The knowledge developed from the soul nourishes society, or the knowledge derived from society permeates the soul. Liang Xiaosheng has the distinct characteristics of his generation of writers, being both diligent and compassionate. Under the combined influence of society and the soul, he speaks for us, which deserves our special thanks. I am moved by his common sense and knowledge.
——Hu Jiujiu, Chief Writer of New Weekly

★Selected Novellas by Liang Xiaosheng, winner of the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize and author of "A Lifelong Journey" (original novel of the eponymous TV series)

★A Guide for Anxious Young Souls to Start Over
In this era of economic and social challenges, how should one choose between ideals and material needs at life's crossroads? When future seems uncertain and paths unclear, these stories will give you the courage to embrace challenges boldly. From them you'll learn that what fits you is what's best, everyone has their unique position in this world and value, and taking responsibility for your choices brings peace.

★Documenting Contemporary Youth
From tutoring for living expenses to mismatched college majors and actual job requirements — each story mirrors real struggles of today's young generation. See yourself in them.

This collection features four novellas including "The Graduates" and "Wan's University", portraying the coming-of-age journeys and inner conflicts of modern youth, their academic and professional growing pains and dilemmas between material temptations and moral integrity.
Through vivid narratives, Liang captures a generation at the turning piont of life, and their critical reflections on self, family, career and future.

Liang Xiaosheng

He was born in 1949 in Harbin with ancestral roots in Rongcheng, Shandong. He is a renowned contemporary Chinese writer and scholar. Currently, he serves as a senior professor at the School of Humanities of Beijing Language and Culture University, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and a researcher at the Central Research Institute of Culture and History. To date, he has authored over ten million words of literary works, including essays, novels, commentaries, and documentary literature. His representative works include "Tonight There’s a Snowstorm", "The Rings of Time", and "Educated Youth". In 2019, he won the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize for his novel "A Lifelong Journey".

Growth Variations
The Student
Wan's University
The Graduates

His tone shifted abruptly as his voice rose:
"But you — you students of Chinese literature majors — do you know what awaits you after graduation? Let me be brutally honest: Even graduate of Peking University struggles desperately to land a reporter job at the 'Beijing Youth Daily. Think 'Life Times' would be easier? Try your luck after graduation if you believe that!"
The atmosphere wasn’t just solemn — it was congealing.
Mr. Zhang’s hand stretched out, pointing at the Chinese literature majors from other universities seated together. At that moment, not a trace of pride remained on their faces — none of the arrogance typical of humanities elites or aspiring literati. His words had swept it all away.
"Dear students, were you aware of this?"
His voice lowered, adopting a confiding tone, as if speaking intimately to a friend rather than a room of strangers. Yet despite his smile, his words carried grave foreboding.
Wan glanced at those students. Their expressions had turned gloomy. If their futures were truly so bleak, she wondered, had no one warned them before? She refused to believe they’d been blindly optimistic, basking in misplaced pride, utterly in the dark until now. Their faces showed both gloom and confusion, as though Mr. Zhang were a seer delivering a prophecy they believed but couldn’t accept.
Suddenly, a female student murmured, "We know."
"You do?" Mr. Zhang smiled faintly before continuing methodically:
"Dear Chinese literature elites — even if you 'know', you only grasp half the truth. Let me reveal the other half. Last year, a Beijing crematorium hired twenty staff. Guess how many applied? Over three hundred. How many were college graduates? Nearly a third. And how many were Chinese literature majors? Almost all. And this wasn’t even Babaoshan Crematorium — that prestigious institution is already overstaffed, crammed with both the living and the dead. Writing elegiac couplets, drafting eulogies — perfect matches for Chinese majors. Soon, even such 'ideal' jobs will vanish. They filled their quotas last year — fixed positions, no turnover expected for decades! If the times declare it a match, it’s a match! If reality says so, it’s so! '*** is always justified!' So are the times and reality! You’re the unreasonable ones — with no platform to plead your case. Your reason means nothing!..."