Meet the Cast of Characters

Step into the neon-lit chaos of The Bag of Dreams, where Guangzhou’s bustling markets pulse with ambition, betrayal, and unyielding hope.

Meet the cast of characters who fuel Sophie’s journey—from visionaries to venomous snakes, each a spark in her fight for a brighter future.

a woman in a leather jacket and a man in a suit
a woman in a leather jacket and a man in a suit
Mid-30s, sharp eyes shadowed by betrayal, a worn leather satchel slung over her shoulder.
She moves through Guangzhou’s crowded markets, a quiet resolve in her step, her mind weaving dreams of a better world.
Scarred but resilient, Sophie draws strength from her daughter Hope, her deep heart inspiring a future forged in purpose.

Sophie Xi Fairchild: The Visionary Protector

Meet Sophie (Character Sketch)

Sophie Xi Fairchild

"I won't let his actions define me," Sophie whispered to herself, her voice filled with determination. "I will rise above this and show my daughter the strength and resilience that lies within me."

a young girl with a necklace with a necklace with a dragon on it
a young girl with a necklace with a necklace with a dragon on it
9, a beautiful Chinese girl with sharp, almond-shaped eyes glinting with fierce curiosity, a bright red tracksuit on her lithe frame.
She races through Guangzhou’s parks, her laughter a melody of untamed joy. A dreamer’s bold spirit, Hope is a living flame, igniting Sophie’s fight for a brighter future.

Hope Avery-Xi:

The Radiant Spark

Meet Hope 9 (Character Sketch)

Hope Avery-Xi

"She's a living flame, her vibrant energy a beacon of hope for Sophie."

a woman in a turtle neck top and a book
a woman in a turtle neck top and a book
A striking young woman, her athletic frame poised in a sleek black turtleneck, sketching by the Rhine.
Her fierce determination burns, a blazing phoenix painting a future Sophie fights to see soar.

Artful Flame:

Hope’s Fierce Ambition

Meet Hope 17 (Character Sketch)

Hope Avery-Xi

"Her strokes capturing dreams of Munich art galleries.'"

a woman in a black leather jacket and a black leather jacket
a woman in a black leather jacket and a black leather jacket
Late 30s, piercing green eyes glinting with calculated disdain, a sleek designer trench coat draped like a monarch’s cape.
She glides through Guangzhou’s upscale lounges, her heels clicking with predatory precision.
Unyielding and untouchable, Georgina’s ambition is a cold flame, burning through alliances as she wields power like a whip.

Georgina Langston: The Icy Monarch

Meet Georgina (Character Sketch)

Georgina Langston

"I'm not even going to read that nonsense. If he wants to sue me, go ahead.'"

a man in a scarf - like scarf - like scarf - like scarf - like
a man in a scarf - like scarf - like scarf - like scarf - like
22, a thin Chinese man with a serene face, his striking features glowing with delicate beauty, dark eyes soft with quiet depth, a white casual shirt.
He reads a book in their Guangzhou penthouse, his softly spoken words a whisper of calm, grounding Georgina’s storm.
A trophy husband’s gentle restraint in his gaze, loyalty woven into his unspoken support.
He’s a serene muse, his introverted grace a counterpoint to Georgina’s intensity, steadying her reign with quiet devotion.

Lao Langston:

The Gentle Foil

Meet Georgina (Character Sketch)

Lao Langston

"His phone buzzes at 2 a.m. in their Guangzhou penthouse, Khan's words stirring the silence.'"

a man in a suit and tie is posing for a picture
a man in a suit and tie is posing for a picture
Mid-20s, a Chinese-Scottish prodigy with sharp amber eyes glinting with calculated cunning, a tailored charcoal suit accentuating his lean frame.
His sleek black hair catches Guangzhou’s neon shimmer as he leans over a glass desk in a high-rise office, a faint Highland lilt in his sly smirk.
A young mogul’s polished confidence, Carm’s deceitful charm ensnares dreamers before they see the betrayal coming.

Cameron Ma:

Dragon’s Charm

Meet Carm (Character Sketch)

Cameron Ma

"Carm barged out of the bedroom shouting call the police call the police someone has scammed me 5 million rmb"

a man with a chain link necklace and a chain link necklace
a man with a chain link necklace and a chain link necklace
Late 20s, a Chinese trickster with sly brown eyes flickering with hidden malice, a black leather jacket on his wiry frame.
He slinks through Guangzhou’s night markets, a snake’s grin curling his lips.
A deceiver’s easy charm, Jason’s betrayal stings like a viper’s fang, poisoning trust before Sophie feels the bite.

Jason Lou:

The Venomous Shadow

Meet Jason (Character Sketch)

Jason Lou

"Sign the divorce papers, Sophie, or I'll report you for illegal work."

a man in a suit and tie is posing for a picture
a man in a suit and tie is posing for a picture
Late 40s, cold blue eyes burning with unyielding control, a bespoke navy suit sharp as his commands.
He gazes over Chicago from a penthouse window, a kingpin’s shadow stretching across oceans.
A tyrant’s calculated calm, King’s iron grip binds dreamers to his will, a force Sophie can’t escape, even from a world away.

Kingston Avery:

The Distant Overlord

Meet King (Character Sketch)

Kingston "King" Avery

"King, I've discovered something that has shattered me," Sophie said, her voice trembling. "Please, tell me it's not true. Tell me you haven't been unfaithful."

a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a doorway
a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a doorway
Late 60s British, obese, steely gray eyes etched with unyielding judgment, a tailored suit straining against his heavy frame.
He looms in the doorway of a crumbling UK shop, his presence a heavy fog.
A patriarch’s iron will masks regret, his silence a wall that once crushed Sophie’s dreams but now crumbles in frailty.

William Fairchild:

The Fading Titan

Meet William (Character Sketch)

William Fairchild

William interrupted with a firm tone. "Sophie, there's no need for that. Your sister dropped out of college last year, and I've made up my mind. You won't be going to college."

a woman sitting at a table with a cup of british tea
a woman sitting at a table with a cup of british tea
65, a slightly overweight Asian woman, her curly black permed hair framing warm brown eyes, a knitted cardigan on her comforting frame.
She pours tea in a dreamlit UK kitchen, steam whispering memories.
A mother’s tender wisdom, Betty’s love is a beacon, urging Sophie to fuel her dreams with unyielding fire.

Betty Xi:

The Eternal Hearth

Meet Mum (Character Sketch)

Betty Xi

Betty smiled, took a swig of tea, then a drag on her cigarette, smoke curling like a halo. "Sophie, learn from your mistakes. Fuel your dreams, baby---take action, be bold."

a woman in a coat and a book
a woman in a coat and a book
Mid-30s, a soft-spoken Englishwoman with warm hazel eyes brimming with understanding, a woolen coat on her slender frame.
She sifts through William’s dusty UK attic, tracing old photos with mournful grace.
A sister’s steadfast empathy, Clara’s clear heart is a sanctuary for Sophie’s scars, illuminating a path to peace.

Clara Xi Fairchild:

The Gentle Dawn

Meet Clara (Character Sketch)

Clara Xi Fairchild

"Our father had his own struggles, but that doesn't define you. You are a remarkable person Sophie with a heart full of love and compassion. It's time to embrace your own worth and surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are."

a man in a beanie hat and a beanie
a man in a beanie hat and a beanie
Mid-30s, a handsome Chinese man with piercing black eyes glinting with quiet curiosity, a hipster beanie perched on his head, crimson socks peeking from sleek yoga pants.
He teaches meditation in his Guangzhou studio at sunrise, seeing calm and passion in his students faces.
A sage’s analytical clarity, Lee’s logical mind is a compass for Sophie’s storms, his heart chasing their uncharted warmth.

Lee Zhang:

The Steady Anchor

Meet Lee (Character Sketch)

Lee Zhang

"Well, that was an adventure," Lee admitted, linking his arm with Sophie's. "Who knew a wrong turn could lead to such amazing discoveries?"

a man in a white shirt and a watch
a man in a white shirt and a watch
Late 30s, a driven entrepreneur with stormy gray eyes flickering with ambition, a crisp linen shirt rolled up at the sleeves.
He paces Guangzhou’s factory floor, mapping futures with an engineering precision.
A visionary’s restless hunger, Jerry’s grand dreams cut tensions with Sophie, yet sharpen her path with honor and trust.

Jerry Lang:

The Visionary Ally

Meet Jerry (Character Sketch)

Jerry Lang

"Sophie, you should write a message to Georgina. Thank her for the financial assistance in the past. Share your current financial situation and assure her that you'll repay the money"

a robot toy robot with a camera and a camera
a robot toy robot with a camera and a camera
A 5-foot-tall holographic robot projected from the AI Muse Tablet, Marvin’s rounded white body shimmers with a neon glow, his large black eyes rimmed with blue glinting with warm curiosity.
He moves with a wobbly, endearing gait, his articulated arms gesturing with strategic precision, a harmonic hum underscoring his warm, confident voice.
A digital protector forged by Hero Chow, Marvin’s empathetic circuits spark Sophie’s dreams, weaving past scars into a future of purpose with a wit as sharp as the city’s lights.

Marvin: The Holographic Muse

Meet Marvin (Character Sketch)

Marvin

“I’ve connected businesses with millions of customers, Sophie, but your resilience is my favourite story. Let’s keep navigating the storms together.”

35, a Chinese engineer with sharp eyes behind rimless glasses, tousled black hair falling over his forehead, high-tech sneakers with glowing soles lighting his path.
He moves through Shenzhen’s factories with restless energy, a worn notebook of sketches in hand, his dry wit cutting through the hum of machinery.
Scarred by his working-class roots, Hero’s empathy fuels his genius in hardware and AI, forging tools like the AI Muse Tablet to inspire and protect, his partnership with Sophie a beacon in the neon chaos.

Hero Chow:

The Tech Visionary Ally

Meet Hero (Character Sketch)

Hero Chow

"I'm not even going to read that nonsense. If he wants to sue me, go ahead.'"

a man with glasses and a suit jacket
a man with glasses and a suit jacket
60+, a towering Turkish man with hawk-like hazel eyes glinting with seasoned wisdom, a tailored charcoal blazer on his broad frame.
He surveys Guangzhou’s factory dusk, his sharp mind slicing inefficiencies.
A strategist’s unyielding candor, Khan’s brusque advice is a map for Sophie’s battles, guiding with enduring insights.

Khan Demir:

The Steadfast Pillar

Meet Khan (Character Sketch)

Khan Demir

"If I don't do it, nobody will do it for me.'"

a woman in a red suit sitting at a table
a woman in a red suit sitting at a table
Mid-30s, a sleek Chinese businesswoman with obsidian eyes glinting with steely resolve, a tailored crimson suit as modern armor.
She strategizes in a Guangzhou boardroom, weaving trade routes like a spy’s web.
A director’s sharp authority, M’s brilliant mind is a compass for Sophie’s ventures, guiding with iron will and hidden warmth.

"M":

The Modern Maestro

Meet "M" (Character Sketch)

"M"

a man with blue hair and a necklace with a pendant
a man with blue hair and a necklace with a pendant
Late 30s, a striking African-English man with sharp green eyes glinting with curiosity, auburn hair streaked with electric blue, an African pendant glinting on his desk.
He writes with Sophie over late-night Zoom calls from his London office, a cup of chamomile tea steaming beside him as their words bridge continents.
A steadfast ally’s loyalty, Sebastian’s resolute voice—scarred by his own battles—mirrors Sophie’s pain, amplifying her dreams through literary fire.

Sebastian Cole:

The Inked Anchor

Meet Sebastian (Character Sketch)

Sebastian Cole

a mystical man with a white shirt and tie
a mystical man with a white shirt and tie
55, a lean British man with large eyes glinting with quiet insight, white hair shaved on the sides, a waistcoat and colorful tie framing his handsome weathered face, a faint glow tracing his form.
He appears in Sophie’s dreams on a misty Guangzhou rooftop under a starlit sky, his introspective words guiding her with gentle suggestions.
A sage’s intuitive depth in his voice, Elias whispers wisdom that lights Sophie’s path. He’s a spectral guide, his unyielding hope a beacon for her fight, illuminating her dreams with timeless clarity.

Elias Thornwood:

The Whisper of Wisdom

Meet Elias (Character Sketch)

Elias Thornwood

a man in a sequinous outfit is smiling and holding a drink
a man in a sequinous outfit is smiling and holding a drink
32, a wiry Chinese man with sharp, thin eyes glinting with mischief, a sequined jacket flashing under club lights.
He dances in a Guangzhou bar, his laughter cutting through the nightlife.
A friend’s brash honesty, Jimmy’s fierce loyalty is a double-edged flame—igniting tension with Sophie, yet warming her world with acceptance.

Jimmy Liang:

The Neon Spark

Meet Jimmy (Character Sketch)

Jimmy Liang

a black man in a white shirt and a white shirt
a black man in a white shirt and a white shirt
25, a South African man with deep ebony skin and keen brown eyes, a crisp linen shirt on his short frame.
He inspects samples with Sophie in Guangzhou’s factory hum, his voice a warm Sotho cadence.
A nephew’s quiet assertiveness, Max’s steady ambition tempers Sophie’s dreams with respect and trust.

Thabo (Max) Mokoena:

The Sunlit Forge

Meet Max (Character Sketch)

Thabo (Max) Mokoena

a woman in a white shirt and a tennis racket
a woman in a white shirt and a tennis racket
55, a poised Chinese woman with silver-streaked hair in a neat bun, her lean frame in tennis whites.
She rallies with Lee on a Guangzhou tennis court, laughter mingling with the game’s rhythm.
A chief’s gentle wisdom, Evelyn’s quiet strength is a shelter for Sophie’s dreams, rooting her future in trust.

Chief Evelyn:

The Verdant Oak

Meet Evelyn (Character Sketch)

Chief Evelyn

a Chinese man in a suit and tie
a Chinese man in a suit and tie
28, a slender Chinese man with soft brown eyes warm with kindness, a tailored gray suit on his thin silhouette.
He translates for dignitaries at a Guangzhou reception, his gaze flickering to Sophie with warmth.
A translator’s poised diplomacy, Calvin’s quiet grace bridges Sophie’s world, harmonizing her past and future with trust.

Calvin Yao:

The Elegant Accord

Meet Calvin (Character Sketch)

Calvin Yao

a man with a white shirt and a white shirt
a man with a white shirt and a white shirt
67, a weathered Australian man with a beer belly straining his white shirt, thick white-and-black hair.
He rants about China’s misinterpretations on a Guangzhou rooftop, camera rolling for his 50k YouTube fans.
A broadcaster’s sharp cynicism, Jerry’s crusty charm is a viral spark, framing China’s chaos with a begrudging heart of gold.

Jerry Clark:

The Gruff Lens

Meet Jerry (Character Sketch)

Jerry Clark