The illustrations in the novel received positive feedback from readers, boosting Jin's confidence and motivating him to continue painting. "As artist Chen Danqing said, 'When kids in the alley do somersaults and are cheered on, they keep going'. The power of encouragement is crucial," Jin explains.

Jin's foundation in painting comes from mechanical drafting. In the 1970s, while staying at a farm dormitory in Heilongjiang, he found a worn architectural pen-drawing tutorial, which became his key reference.

At the watch factory in Shanghai, he spent six months learning mechanical drafting, laying the groundwork for his art.

With no formal art training, Jin's works break from convention, developing a unique style that mirrors the intricate, meaningful structure of his novels.