After setting the update for 11 PM last night, I went to sleep, only to wake early this morning and habitually open my phone, seeing screenshots pinging me from friends on Weibo.

Look, we’re number one on the Mingmen charts!

Xi Xing, after three years of writing, you’re finally number one on the Pink list!

To be honest, my reply was calm.

It’s just for a moment.

But inside, I was incredibly excited.

Isn't a lifetime just composed of one 'moment' after another?

How many moments come once in a lifetime, and how many moments never arrive even once?

A moment, while it cannot define an entire lifetime, will certainly shine brightly within that lifetime forever.

When I wrote the first line of this book, I never imagined it would garner over six million clicks, or that it would attract nine (Alliance Leaders), over twenty (Hall Masters), and perhaps even more (Helm Masters) to place it in the top fifty. I never expected the Red Book sales charts to consistently hover in the top three daily, nor that the pre-completion single-order rankings would reach twenty-seventh place. I never imagined readers would join the book club groups, or that so many people would end up loving this book. I never expected—too many ‘never expecteds.’ Life is truly magical; when you take that first step, you never know what surprises or sorrows lie ahead. I feel profoundly honored that this first step has yielded such a tremendous surprise in my life!

I often stare at my book pages, unable to comprehend how I, an ordinary, unremarkable woman in my thirties, grinding away at a mundane office job three meals a day, someone who has always looked up to others because I never excelled in any exam, could suddenly encounter such a surprise? What merit do I possess? What right do I have to this?

Seeing so many comments in the review section expressing how deeply moved they were by a certain chapter or plot point—do you know that reading your words moves me even more? What merit do I possess? What right do I have to this?

There is no feast that does not end. As I learned this grand celebration was drawing near its close, I saw the organized efforts in the reader groups to promote and campaign for my votes. When votes ran out, readers were even using monetary rewards to boost ticket counts. I saw it all, yet I didn't dare show my face or speak for an entire day. I was afraid to speak; I genuinely didn't know what to say. Anything I said would sound insincere and forced. So, what I must do is tell you: I saw it. I know about your efforts and your existence. What I must do is shout it out loud: Xi Xing thanks you all! Xi Xing will fight! We will contest! We will charge to the front! Let us wave the flags and shout together, let us charge forward! Regardless of the outcome, this time is the battle, the carnival, of all of us Mingmen fans. We yearn for victory, we strive for success, and we fight for it. No matter the result, having this shared carnival feast is enough.

What do writers seek from writing? Money—in this money-worshipping era, it is certainly the primary concern. But do you believe there is anything in this world that can bring greater happiness than money? I believe there is. Just as Qi Yue believes that no matter how difficult, bitter, or dark the world becomes, hope will still exist, I believe that what brings greater joy is the emotional interaction derived from this book. It feels like being a child, nervously handing over a poorly made piece of craftwork, only to be met with the teacher’s praise and a lollipop.

No matter what the future holds, I will tightly grasp this lollipop you have given me and move forward with sweetness and joy.

Finally, in these last two days, I implore you to walk side-by-side with me. Come, let us run forward together with great strides. Victory is the goal, but we will neither fear nor regret failure.

Lastly, I beg you to stop using rewards to exchange for votes. I implore you; Xi Xing cannot accept it. I know your intentions, and that is enough.

Finally, I announce that after the main story of Mingmen concludes, all extra side stories, save for the very first one (as vulgar as I am, I still need that first month’s bonus, so one VIP chapter is necessary), will be placed in the free chapters.

Please allow me to express my intentions and gratitude in this manner. RS