In the blink of an eye, it’s late January. The days just fly by. It’s another late night, and I’ve just finished updating another ten thousand words.

Xiaodao here, just wanted to have a quick chat with everyone for a bit.

Some readers have said, "Xiaodao, you never do explosive updates. If you did, we’d give you our monthly tickets..." To be honest, watching those two authors hot on my heels, I really wish I could just snatch those tickets right out of your hands!

Speaking of explosive updates, I honestly feel like I’m pushing one out every single day!

Really... I’m not saying this just because I update ten thousand words a day. That’s a promise I made, and it’s nothing to brag about. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The most crucial thing is, I’m a new father now. My child is so young, and it’s incredibly difficult to concentrate! Anyone with kids probably knows this, but after a baby gets their vaccinations, they often get a fever and become extremely fussy. So, it’s basically impossible for me to write during the day. His fever keeps coming back, and though the doctor says it’s normal and will pass in a few days... the moment he cries, honestly, my heart just leaps into my throat and gets all twisted up. I’m not the type to spoil my child, but I still can’t just stand by and do nothing when I see him suffering. I’m absolutely not trying to be melodramatic; this is just the reality of the situation...

As a professional writer, you can’t just stop updating for any old reason. That’s the most basic requirement. So, I do my best to squeeze in time whenever I can. During the day, I’ll be sitting blankly in front of my computer, listening to my baby’s whimpers... you can’t imagine how frustrating it is. He’s been going to sleep very late recently, which is why many of you have been saying, "That darn Xiaodao is late with his updates again..." When I see comments like that, I’m just speechless. I don’t want to be unreliable either...

Next, let’s talk about the reviews. I haven’t looked at the review section in a long time. Why? I’m sure many of you know that I work hard to write every single day. As for my actual skill level, no one knows it better than I do. My work has always been popcorn fiction, through and through. It’s only because so many of you have stuck with me that I’m able to put food on the table. I’ve never thought of myself as some god-tier writer, nor have I ever expected everyone to love my work.

Having a child keeps me on edge every single day. It really proves the old saying true: you don’t know a parent’s love until you become one yourself.

My heart is already fragile enough; I can’t take that kind of mockery and sarcasm. Friends try to console me, saying, "You get plenty of hate from your subscribers as it is, don’t you? The people who appreciate you, who support you, they aren’t going to stop just because some trolls are stirring up trouble."

And those who already have it out for you aren’t going to start paying for a subscription just because you kowtow and kiss up to them.

When I think about it, that’s true. As long as I keep writing earnestly and do right by the friends who genuinely support me, that’s all that matters. As for the many pieces of genuine advice in the review section, I have absolutely taken them to heart! Even if I haven’t mentioned anyone by name, I swear, I truly have.

So, I’m not asking for flowers or other gifts. For this first month of the new book, I just hope that any of you who enjoy my work will give that second monthly ticket you’ve received to me!

I will repay all of you with my continued, unwavering hard work! ^_^

I’ll do my best to give you all an explosive update once my child settles down! This isn’t a promise, but to me, it means even more than one.

One last thing: A heartfelt thank you to the several thousand readers who support me... to all my friends who quietly subscribe! Thank you all!!! (To be continued. To read more Chapters, please visit www.qidian.com and support the author by reading the official version!)