Before I launch into the next chapter, a brief word to the readers. I reviewed the comments last night and found a wealth of excellent suggestions, which I have humbly accepted and for which I am truly grateful. After all, the author is human, not a machine; it is inevitable that during the writing process, oversights and awkward points will occasionally surface. Thank you all for pointing them out; I will certainly be more mindful going forward.

However, some opinions saddened me deeply. If the plot felt forced, that is a matter of my own limited writing skill, and I accept that. But some readers questioned why the protagonist would gift the small bowl to Elder Qian, claiming that giving away something worth millions was the act of a fool or a complete sucker, and demanded it be taken down.

I find myself quite helpless in response to this. Setting aside the fact that the bowl, valued at millions, ultimately was not given away, in the protagonist’s mind, before it was even sold, the bowl held no concrete value. He still perceived it as something worth perhaps only a few hundred yuan. Even if he had given it away, there would have been no heartbreak for him.

We must remember that in this intensely pragmatic society, if we cannot accept even a sliver of warmth and goodwill in a story, then perhaps our collective outlook has become too bleak.

Therefore, I intend to continue writing in this manner. The protagonist should not be someone who lives solely for profit; he should possess familial bonds, friendships, love, and those beautiful qualities of character that we might not always see but which truly exist. This, perhaps, can serve as a small comfort in an increasingly indifferent world.

Alright, the above was just filler; please disregard it. The main point follows.

Someone in the reviews yesterday mentioned they hadn't seen me post a dedicated chapter asking for votes and assumed I didn't want them, so they hadn't cast their monthly tickets. Dear readers, I refrained from posting a single chapter request because I didn't want to annoy you! Since you don't mind, then what have I to fear? Now, please cover your ears and read this:

Over a million clicks, haven't we?... Over fifty thousand recommendation votes, haven't we?... Over thirty thousand collections, haven't we?... Subscriptions aren't bad either, are they?... Yet, despite such good performance, we're being completely suppressed, aren't we?... And frequently being overtaken by those behind us, aren't we!!!

So many subscribers, reading the book but not voting, aren't we?... I need monthly votes!... If I don't shout, you won't vote; this is truly a huge cup of... well, you know!... Everyone, please be kind and cast a few votes!

Consider it a good deed for the day, I beg you... Since you have the patience to scroll down to this line, you surely won't mind moving your fingers just a bit more to cast a monthly ticket.

With deepest respects and gratitude! (To be continued)RQ

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