Words Upon Release-I Have Lots of Revival Tokens(Spicy sauce served with salted fish)

Dear friends, elders, and all you lovely readers—this "Salted Fish" author is finally going to be published.

Usually, when a book goes live, the author is expected to play the "pity card." Well, I am truly pathetic: I have parents to support, a younger sister who hasn't even started junior high yet, and I still need to find a girlfriend—I’m taking applications! My requirements aren't high: human, alive, female—that’s all. And in the future, I’ll have children (definitely a daughter). So, I beg you all, please be kind and subscribe!

Ahem. Enough with the pity party. Let’s get to the standard announcement.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to my editor, Shrimp Dumpling, for their immense support, as well as the Qidian Light Novel editorial team, China Literature Group, and... why not, CCTV! Most importantly, I thank all of you—my bread and butter—for your recommendation votes and the generous tips from the big spenders. Whether it’s a tip of one or two yuan, or a hundred, and whether it’s one recommendation vote or two, every bit of your support is my greatest motivation. I am truly grateful (bowing ninety degrees).

I remember when I first started this book, my editor, Xiao Xing, asked me a question: "Your idea is great, but what is the positioning and tone of your book?"

What was it? I was actually stumped for a moment, but perhaps because of my own personality, I smiled and said, "Happiness. I just want it to be lighthearted and happy."

Indeed, "lighthearted and happy" is the core of this book. I am a corporate slave myself; work is exhausting enough as it is. If I were to write something heavy and depressing, wouldn't that just be adding to my own misery? "So, keep it happy. If everyone finds it pleasant and can laugh while reading, that’s more than enough."

Now, 260,000 words in, I don’t know if I’ve achieved that small goal. I suspect I have, given the hilarious comments you all leave. Reading your chapter-specific comments has honestly been the highlight of my days.

Of course, when you write a novel, you’re bound to get some hate. To be honest, there’s been quite a lot of it, some of which was completely baseless. It puzzled me at first. If you don’t like a lighthearted book, you can just click the "X." Why go out of your way to leave a nasty comment? It ruins your mood and mine—what’s the point?

One day, I was venting to Xiao Xing, and he just laughed and said, "You’re writing for the people who like it, not for the trolls."

Damn. It’s hard to believe that someone who is only Bronze-tier in League of Legends could be so right. I’m writing for those who enjoy it. If others don’t, there’s nothing I can do; I can’t please everyone. If I can bring joy to those who appreciate this book, that is enough. Why bother with the trolls?

Once the book goes live, I can’t promise much, but I can promise that unless some unforeseen disaster strikes, I will finish this story properly. We’ve only just begun, and there is so much more to come. I will do my best to provide you with stories that are both lighthearted and exciting. If you can find a moment of relaxation and amusement in your daily life while reading these chapters, then I’ve succeeded.

Now, about subscriptions. I truly hope you will support the official version. This is something every creator in every industry needs to appeal for. If everyone turns to piracy and only a handful support the official release, I truly feel that is... well, it’s just not right.

Once, Xiao Xing asked me: "If one person tipped you ten yuan, or ten people subscribed to a chapter (ten cents a chapter, one yuan total), which would you choose?" The difference between ten yuan and one yuan is significant. While it may sound pretentious, I chose the latter. I love it when people tip—I adore my big spenders!—but knowing that ten people took the time to subscribe and support me... that makes me even happier.

Wait, the atmosphere has gotten a bit heavy... ahem, let’s change the subject.

About the release-day updates: I want to make a small effort to encourage official subscriptions. On the release day, March 1st, I will start with five chapters. I currently have 59,000 followers—let’s call it 60,000. If we reach 3,000 first-chapter subscriptions, I’ll add one more. For every 200 subscriptions beyond that, I’ll add another, with no cap. Afterward, for every 100-point increase in the average chapter subscription, I’ll add another chapter. As for monthly votes... well, that’s usually a game for the big players, and as a small-fry author, I didn't think they mattered much... but to not waste your support, I’ll add one chapter for every 500 monthly votes.

I don’t know what the final results will be, but good or bad, I will see this book through to the end.

I’ve rambled on for quite a while. To conclude, I’ll borrow a line from the great author Liu Xiahui:

[Meeting you all is my good fortune.]
[And having this book liked by you is my greatest honor.]

If I can keep seeing your silly, wonderful comments, that would be perfect. See you all in the next chapter!

—Salted Fish