Li is dedicated to creating a themed estate called Avocadopia Farm, where visitors can enjoy farming, accommodation, avocado-inspired cuisine, and cultural and creative products.

"It's scheduled to open during the upcoming Spring Festival," he says. "You can tell from the name, I want to build my own utopia."

Now, in Menglian, he has found the "sense of belonging" he was searching for.

"There is the closeness and trust of the people around me, along with a career I want long term. Whenever I find myself feeling lost or filled with self-doubt, I often take off my shoes and step on the soil of the farm," Li says.

"The sense of solidity that comes with it is something I have never experienced before. Every gust of wind, every ray of sunlight on my face, brings a genuine feeling of comfort and tranquility."

Yan Bingjie contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn