Lost in Liyun

When American professor Fred Marks steps off the train in Jinan, China, he thinks he is ready. Ready for a new beginning. Ready for a new job. Ready for a new life. But nothing prepared him for the heat, the confusion, or the isolation of starting over in a foreign country. Lost in crowded hallways and unfamiliar city streets, Fred struggles with language barriers, cultural expectations, and the fear that he will never fit in. His days become a blur of quiet classrooms, awkward faculty banquets, and long nights spent staring out a window at a city that feels close yet unreachable. Then he meets Feng Liyun. She is assigned to help him with translation and campus life. What begins as a simple professional arrangement slowly becomes something deeper. Their connection develops with a slow burn intensity that neither of them fully understands. Through her guidance, Fred is drawn into festivals, markets, mountain hikes, and the living rhythms of China. The more he learns, the more he must confront the truths he has avoided for years. Their bond grows stronger, but every step forward blurs the line between personal and professional, and between desire and responsibility. Lost in Liyun is a richly written and emotionally intimate novel that explores identity, belonging, and the complicated ways people connect across cultures. It is perfect for readers who love character driven fiction, cross cultural stories, slow burn tension, and beautifully observed writing. Perfect for fans of Normal People, Call Me by Your Name, and A Gentleman in Moscow.