Midwest Veteran Discovers Passion for Chinese Fantasy Novels

As of November 17th, 2025, in a small town in the US Midwest, 47-year-old military veteran Natalie Hubble has found a unique passion for Chinese culture. Despite never having visited China, Hubble has become an avid reader of Chinese fantasy stories, describing her growing connection to ancient and modern Chinese traditions as a "natural progression."

Hubble, who spent two decades working for the US National Cemeteries after leaving the military, has also started learning the guqin, an ancient seven-stringed Chinese musical instrument. She takes lessons from instructors via the social media platform RedNote, further immersing herself in Chinese cultural practices.

Hubble's favorite Chinese fantasy novel is "Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation" by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, which she praises for its satisfying storylines and character development. This passion for Chinese literature and art reflects a broader trend, as Chinese cultural products, from novels to video games, have been gaining global popularity in recent years.

While the Chinese government has made efforts to boost its soft power and "tell China's story well," the real driver behind China's growing cultural influence appears to be the vitality of its grassroots cultural creations. These diverse, multifaceted representations of contemporary Chinese society and the lives of ordinary people have resonated with audiences around the world, including Hubble, who finds herself drawn to the richness of Chinese culture.