Looking back, Lian summarizes his career as a process of defying the odds.

He says that he was obsessed with manga as a teenager, but that his parents teased him about his passion, never thinking that he would make a career out of it one day.

"And then there were the cold shoulders I got on social media early on," he says. "But I hung in there, and succeeded."

His childhood hobby has now turned into a promising career that has given Lian a more comfortable life, including a large apartment and a brand-new car.

Every morning, he watches NBA matches before turning the highlights into memes and illustrations.

"This is a dream come true. The most satisfying thing isn't the pay, but being able to work with some of my favorite brands, which affords me the freedom to be creative," he says, adding that he earns much more than before.

He says that being consistently creative is the hardest part. "Sometimes I have to rack my brains (to be creative)," he says. "You have to closely follow what's going on in the game, and try to relate that to memes and trending topics."

When asked if he has any advice for others who also want to change jobs to pursue their passions, Lian advises prudence and rational thinking.

"I wouldn't tell people to abandon their current jobs if they are not ready. Financial insecurity could result in anxiety that might bog them down," he says. "Rather, I'd tell them to make full use of their spare time to explore their passions. Be calm; hone your skills. One day it will all pay off."

Yan Weijue contributed to this story.