It's finally going to be released, this should count as my official fourth book.
Maybe I was born unlucky, but I've always had a bit of a jinxed aura when it comes to writing; luck was never really on my side.
For my first book: I completed 1.1 million words, all for free. It was a passion project from my university days, updated inconsistently with green prose, so I didn't feel right using it to make a living. I wrote it in my spare time from college and work, purely powered by love.
My second book: At that time, the pandemic struck, work was problematic, and staying at home without any income, I thought why not turn a hobby into a career and see if I could make a living out of it. Fortune was reasonably kind – I managed to sign a contract and even got a small feature, ending up writing a total of 2.7 million words.
And then, as expected, something unexpected happened.
Just days after completing the book, due to its theme involving a foundation, over 300 of more than 1000 chapters were banned, and I couldn't make enough changes to salvage it.
Not only had I lost my source of income, but I also made a spur-of-the-moment decision to take on a mortgage, and ended up owing quite a lot of debt to relatives.
I had no choice but to grit my teeth and start another book.
Actually, the little story about time-traveling at the start isn't all made up. A high school classmate of mine, who worked in educational training, encountered heart rhythm issues. He was lucky, pulled through, and left the hospital. But after that, he left Beijing and went back to his hometown to become a primary school teacher.
As for me, I feel like after all these years, my body is practically on a red alert, suffering from insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, high blood pressure, cervical spine issues – not one of the occupational diseases of writers has missed me.
So, not knowing how much longer I can write, I will take each book seriously as if it were my last.
As long as the dear readers grace me with enough to eat and I can cover the basic living expenses, I will complete the book normally, my integrity is quite intact.
Last but not least, I thank the reader lords who have always supported and tipped me.
And to those reading this, who are like parents providing food and clothing, if you like this book, please subscribe, or if that's not too convenient, at least give it the initial token subscription. This is very important to us authors, I humbly ask for your support.
The book launches tomorrow at noon, with five updates.
I wish everyone peace, joy, good health, and smooth sailing in all things.