Chapter 338: A Note on Going Premium

A Note on Going Premium

It's time to write another premium-launch note again—I can't quite remember how many times I've written one of these.

Where should I start?

I entered the industry in 2004, and this year marks my twenty-first year in it.

During that time, I once had to switch careers because of a string of flops, and I went out to work an office job for several years.

Most recently, over the past two years, the thought of switching careers has surfaced in my mind again and again.

I feel like I can't keep up with the times, that my writing style is outdated, and that the generation gap between me and the new generation of readers keeps growing wider; what I write is increasingly hard for people to resonate with.

So the urge to quit the scene has grown stronger and stronger.

There's a harsh reality staring me in the face—back when my results were decent, I used to call myself an old flop; these past two years, it seems I've actually become one.

Back then I called myself Old Mu, and now that's become reality too.

I've really grown old. Even though childhood memories are still vivid, even though I never had my wild youthful days, I've already reached the fortieth year of my life. The white hair at my temples reminds me—you're not young anymore.

Before I published this new book, my old readers had nearly all drifted away.

Because I'd flopped too many books in a row.

Of my last three books, one lost its first-round recommendation PK, another lost its second-round recommendation slot PK. Even though I gritted my teeth and bore the pressure, insisting on writing those two books to completion at 940,000 and 800,000 characters to give the readers who followed the updates an answer, everyone still gradually drifted away from me.

The facts prove that once you flop, no amount of responsibility helps.

The longer you persist, the more mockery you reap.

I can't count how many times these past few years I've heard people curse me as an old flop, curse me as a small-time nobody.

I didn't argue back.

When my results are bad, I never argue against any humiliation—I just quietly taste the flavor of failure, then reflect, reflect, and reflect again.

Again and again I hypnotize myself: I'm suited for fighting from behind, I can definitely pull off a comeback against the wind.

I know I'm in no position to put down my pen, because my two children are still young—one is six, the other three. They need me to earn a living, and they need me to fight for their dad's reputation.

Once a kid is born, you can't stuff it back in. All I can do is grit my teeth and keep pushing forward.

Then, as you all can see, I started the book you see now.

Some say this book of mine is written too plainly.

Some say I've regressed.

Some say I'm coasting on past glory.

Some say I've finally returned to the lane I'm good at.

Some say I'm writing an autobiography.

Some say I'm so desperate to become a god I've gone mad, and this book is my fantasy.

There's every kind of opinion out there.

Actually, I wrote this theme ten years ago, and later I wrote another book called "Return to 2006."

Ten years ago, when I wrote "Reborn in 2003," I never thought about making money—I just wanted to write a story to commemorate my youthful years in this industry.

I wrote "Return to 2006" because my book "Against the Current 2004" had been banned, and at the time I still owed debts, had not a single cent of savings to my name, yet had to repay debts, cover the mortgage, and raise the kids. The pressure of life was enormous, so I rushed to open "Return to 2006." That book was indeed aimed at making money, and it was the best first-order subscription data among all my works.

After that, I didn't dare touch this theme again, afraid I'd ruin it myself.

Until two months ago, when I suddenly got new inspiration for this theme and felt confident I could write another one that was different—only then did I start the current book.

What you see is the finished product I've published. You probably can't tell, but for this book I've changed my most familiar old way of writing.

In the past, when I wrote, I liked to express myself.

This time I'm trying to write what you want to read.

From expressing myself to serving all of you—that's the biggest change for me this time.

If it's not well written, that's a matter of my skill level, not my attitude. I hope everyone will be understanding.

When I put this book out, I had some confidence, but I was also mentally prepared that if it flopped again, I'd give up this author account.

Switch to a new pen name, and from then on no one would hold me to the standards of an old author. After all, I've only grown old, I haven't become a god. I can't write at the level of a Platinum Great God, and no one will chase after me cursing me as an old flop anymore.

Then, amid a chorus of curses and praise, this book so far has probably eaten up about 11 recommendation slots—more than the total of all the recommendation slots my previous three books combined.

At its peak data, bookmarks had just broken ten thousand, and the number of readers following updates broke five thousand.

Because of that, they added several more recommendation slots for me later on—basically, I've eaten through just about every recommendation slot available during the new-book period.

So, I have to thank everyone for your support.

I didn't dare mention these numbers before, because I was afraid that once you knew your follow-up reads had earned me several extra recommendation slots, causing this book to be delayed from going premium and unable to do explosive updates, you'd stop following the updates.

Here, I sincerely say to all of you: thank you very much.

It's your support that let this book never lose a single PK against works of the same period during the new-book phase.

But…

From preparing the new book, publishing the new book, until now—over two months—I haven't even earned enough to cover my internet fee.

Electricity bills, living expenses, the kids' tuition, formula money—all of it is eating into my old savings.

Financially, I can barely hold on.

After 12 tonight, it goes premium. I hope all of you can subscribe and support me.

Three flops in a row is already miserable—please don't make it four in a row.

Give me a little motivation to do explosive updates, give me the mindset to keep writing.

Thank you, everyone!

Today's two free chapters are delivered early. After 12 tonight it goes premium—looking forward to everyone's support.