When I started writing, I did have some idealised notion of my dad as a writer. But I have less and less of a literary rivalry with him as I've gone on. I certainly don't feel I need his approval, although maybe that's because I'm confident that I've got it.
The people of Hong Kong are criticized for only being interested in business, but it's the only thing they've been allowed to do.
It's only when you're alone that you realize where you are. You have nothing to fall back on except your own resources.