Chapter 103 - A Heartfelt Author's Note
Lately, I have found myself entangled in the silent web of a creative bottleneck. I have sat before my screen, watching the cursor blink like a rhythmic, mocking heartbeat, revising my drafts countless times only to find that the words still lacked the resonance I sought. I struggled with how to proceed, how to capture the essence of the journey I wanted to share with you. Yet, I felt that to remain silent would be a disservice to those of you who have followed this path with me. Thus, I decided to step back from the narrative for a moment and offer a few heartfelt words from behind the curtain.
It has been a long time coming, but I must start by saying thank you. I am profoundly grateful to every one of you who has spent your time reading this perhaps unpolished and humble novel. Thank you for accompanying Zhang Jin’an and Jiang Siyang—our "Zhang-Yang"—on their journey thus far.
As you have likely noticed over the course of these many chapters, my heart has always gravitated toward the quiet beauty of the mundane. I have never been one for the tempestuous storms of high drama or the artificial "dog blood" tropes that often saturate the genre. Instead, I prefer a gradual progression, a story where every effect has a clear cause and every moment of growth is earned. In my world, there are no sudden, convenient accidents to drive the plot forward.
I recognize that this choice makes my writing inherently tranquil, perhaps even plain to some. I am a devoted reader of entertainment industry novels myself, but I have often found myself weary of the constant "palace intrigue" style of backstabbing, the petty schemes, and the tired cliché where every supporting character exists solely to fall in love with the protagonist or to trip them up. It was out of this weariness that I began to write my own story.
To me, celebrities are human beings first. They should have lives that extend beyond the glare of the camera—lives where they can walk their dogs, lose themselves in a video game, enjoy a simple cup of milk tea, or plan a spontaneous trip with a few close friends. Similarly, I believe that romance, while beautiful, is not the entirety of a person's existence. There is no need for every character to be "love-brained," losing their sense of self and clinging to their partner every waking second. I am a person who cherishes romance, but I view it as the seasoning of life—a delicate harmony—rather than a desperate necessity.
Regarding the characters, my goal was to depict a relationship built on the foundation of two people who work seriously and love seriously. I wanted the supporting cast to be more than just "tools" to facilitate the leads' romance; I wanted them to have their own histories, their own burdens, and their own triumphs. This is why I spend time on details that some might find superfluous. Even if their names fade from memory, I will continue to write them because they are the architects of their own lives. I plan to explore their individual journeys further in the side stories, for I believe that every kind soul deserves to have their story told.
To my readers: I love you. So many of you have gone out of your way to recommend this novel to others, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I believe that in any endeavor, one must maintain a heart of gratitude toward those who offer support. You have the choice to look elsewhere, yet you chose to stay here. I have never viewed those who enjoy my work as mere "fans"; to me, we are friends. When you offer suggestions or point out typos, I listen and I learn. We are progressing together, enjoying this story as a community.
Finally, I want to address the philosophy woven into these pages. I believe that even if an author denies it, their work will always reflect their inner world, much like a painting carries the shadow of the artist. If there is no underlying thought, the world created by the pen cannot stand. My stance has always been clear: I will not do anything that harms the interests of others.
Therefore, I stand firmly against plagiarism, discrimination, and the unfairness of "black-box" operations. I reject the silence of those in power who turn a blind eye to injustice, and I refuse to accept the normalization of school bullying, moral kidnapping, or the acquittal of the guilty. I want to portray an entertainment industry—and a world—filled with positive energy. I want to show that while darkness exists, it can never fully extinguish the light.
In conveying a truth, one does not always need the finality of death to make a point. Sometimes, the most profound lessons are found in two people watching a rainbow after the rain, or in a fleeting kiss upon the fingertips. A world that is too perfect is a lie, but a world that is purely dark is equally false. A blend of sorrow and joy, of kindness and neutrality—that is the true essence of the human experience.
I love the vibrant life of the marketplace, the logic of cause and effect, the willow branches of West Lake in spring, and the cicadas of summer. I love the fallen maple leaves of autumn and the warmth of hot milk tea in the winter. I love every kind-hearted character in my book, and I love all of you.
