Raised to be the perfect prodigy, Anran grew up aspiring to transcend the sky-high expectations of her parents. Since the age of three, they personally trained her in academics and in kung fu, enrolling her in competitive wushu-taolu and classical Chinese dance as soon as she was old enough. Throughout her competitive career, she pushed through training injuries to break records year after year, never once finishing off the podium. Despite her success, she announced an early competitive retirement, relegating dance to a hobby as she entered the prestigious Wuxing University Fire College to focus on her wushu studies.

Among the many responsibilities Anran’s parents put on her shoulders, she was expected to help whip her 3-year-younger brother, Wuyang, into shape. Growing up, they emphasized that as his sole elder sister, it was her job to help teach, guide, and protect him —and protect him she did. She clashed with her parents often, stubbornly standing up for Wuyang any time they were dissatisfied with his progress in training, shouldering blame and claiming responsibility for failing as his mentor. After years of internalizing his shortcomings as her own, it was a relief when Wuyang finally found his footing at Wuxing University's Water College. But as he walked his own path out of reach of her guidance, she struggled to let go of her role in his life.

Anran was a star student at Wuxing University’s Fire College, a program dedicated to training China’s future top battle strategists through the lens of martial arts philosophies. Although she was undoubtedly a role model for her peers, most students found her extraordinary competence intimidating. Anyone brave enough to withstand her harsh, but constructive criticism found themselves improving exponentially alongside her, and she never gave up on those who were willing to put in the work.

During the Null Sector attack on Chengdu, Anran and a small squadron of Fire College students were deployed to help evacuate civilians until official forces arrived. As Null Sector overwhelmed the students, Anran bought time for her peers to retreat, taking the whole fight on alone. With Wuyang arriving to her aid just in time, the two siblings were able to fight their way back out of danger. Their efforts saving Chengdu caught Overwatch’s attention, earning them both invitations to join their ranks.

After Anran officially graduated, the two siblings began their journey to Watchpoint: Gibraltar. But their warm welcome didn't go as planned—Talon launched an attack on the base just as they arrived. As the siblings join the fray, Anran faces her future with a renewed intent to help Overwatch weather the conflict unfolding before them.