Author’s Note

Since some readers using certain platforms may not be able to see the book reviews, I have pasted this content here from the review section. Readers who have already seen it can skip this; this chapter will not be counted as a VIP chapter.

The story failed to pass the initial trial promotion and did not meet the requirements for a follow-up test. Consequently, I am currently in a phase with absolutely no promotion.

I was contemplating whether to continue writing, given that there might be no further progress or performance... But then I thought to myself, I persisted in writing in isolation for six months; am I really going to give up after just ten days?

The story I want to tell is complex, fleshed out, and full of foreshadowing—the kind where subtle clues are woven into the fabric of the narrative. It might not be suited for the current market; even my mother teased me, saying it’s like writing a Dream of the Red Chamber.

I don’t like the idea of characterizing someone as purely villainous just because their role in my book is that of an antagonist.

I want every character to have their own arc. Take Father Jiang, for instance: he may be utterly detestable to the protagonist and the original owner of the body, but to Mother Jiang, he is a good man. Jiang You’an’s actions may be excessive, but she is acting out of a desire to survive. Bo Yue might seem like a scumbag from our perspective, but his position dictates his choices. From their own viewpoints, everything they do is right; they don’t consider themselves villains. They have their own lives. This sometimes makes me feel as if they truly exist in a parallel universe.

I love planting foreshadowing, so some details won't be apparent on a first read. You’ll need to look back once an arc concludes to discover all the little deliberate touches I’ve hidden.

I also place great emphasis on logic. I constantly consider character motivations and personalities, from the macro-level world-building and narrative consistency to the specific choices made at every crossroads. I always aim for the optimal solution. While it might not be obvious while reading, at least it won't leave you scratching your head in frustration.

In fact, I have secretly mapped out the life stories of every character, though likely only the important ones will be revealed. I didn’t choose their names at random; I consulted dictionaries for their meanings and searched online to ensure they were unique. Their names often carry hidden irony or blessings, intimately tied to their destinies. Furthermore, each character has a companion flower, and the language of these flowers reflects their personalities—this will be explored in the side stories.

Though the protagonist, Xian Du, appears independent and self-reliant, she is actually fragile at heart. This is evident in how she doesn't easily let others into her inner circle; she is guarded toward strangers but relaxed with those she trusts. Her background is quite tragic, and she has been suffering every moment of her life. However, because it has gone on for so long, she has come to treat this pain as a normal bodily reaction, ignoring it entirely.

I truly hope to offer some inspiration through my story: for example, putting oneself first is paramount. Girls should be independent rather than becoming someone’s accessory or a bird in a gilded cage. Maintaining one's spiritual self is equally crucial and should not be overlooked. (Setting up my protective shield—please don't lash out at me. These are just my personal views. If you agree, that’s great; if not, feel free to read other stories. The most important thing is to enjoy reading!)

I know I may have made the story too complex and raised the barrier to entry, but for now, I cannot bring myself to simplify it. I suppose I love this story too much; I always find myself wanting to make it better, which leads to adding more and more.

Because I hold this story in such high regard, during those test days, I was checking the data hundreds of times a day instead of writing... Looking at it from another perspective, now I don't have to be anxious about data every day, and I don't have to dream about it or deal with stress-induced health issues... Well, that doesn't feel too bad. As the saying goes, a blessing in disguise. (Please don't burst my bubble, even though I know I'm just deceiving myself.)

I will do my best to write this story and carve out time—everyone, don't worry about the winter break; I will have plenty of time, unless I get writer's block—to ensure the story of Xian Du and Wang Cai continues. (P.S.: Don't worry, I have a great track record for finishing my work; I managed to survive writing in isolation for so long, after all.)

Writing in isolation is truly painful. If you are able, I hope you will leave comments so I know that someone is still reading and enjoying this story. (It would be even better if you support me with favorites and tickets—I’m a little greedy like that!)

Thank you all for reading this, and thank you for liking this story. I wish you all the best in everything.