Hi Killjoy!
You have an amazing voice-over man! Props to that. Thanks for giving the Long Road Ahead a try and finish it. :)
The Long Road Ahead story, didn't really inspired by any other story which I know of, however, the (Chinese) Lantern and Pink ghosts are actually meant something in this game. :D
If you're interested, look into these events:
1.) Qing Ming Festival
2.) Chinese Ghost Festival
3.) Chinese Funerals
Cheers!