Chapter 957: Grateful for Friends, Looking Forward to the Future

2017 has passed. Thank you all for your unwavering support this year.

In the final three days, despite putting in an immense effort, it was still impossible to catch up with the leading authors. My dream of making it into the top three for the year was shattered, ending at fourth place. To say I have no regrets or am not sad would be a lie. In truth, I had already anticipated this outcome; I just didn't want to have any regrets, which is why I chased so desperately. Unfortunately, it still ended in failure.

I feel I let down those friends who supported me, and I am truly sorry. It was my inability to rally enough support that led to this failure, and I hope you can understand. Additionally, thank you all for fighting and striving alongside me!

Coming step by step from being an author whose work no one read, I have experienced a great deal. Many friends, despite not having much money, continued to support me to help fulfill my dream, through various subscriptions and tips. Even if the amounts were small, they represented their trust in me. Having you all by my side makes me very happy.

For this big competition, I should have prepared much earlier. However, being middle-aged, I had too many responsibilities and was stretched too thin. In late October and early November, I had my second child. I had planned to save up some drafts in December, but then my child fell ill again and was hospitalized for ten days.

My child was discharged on the 21st, but then I got sick. To avoid missing updates and save some drafts, I gritted my teeth and persevered. By the 31st, in just ten days, I had actually lost a full six catties (approximately 6.6 pounds)... I usually can't even lose one catty when trying to diet. Aside from feeling a bit weak, I was very happy to have lost so much weight, as I had, after all, regained Daniel Wu's physique and appearance.

On the 31st, the final day, I had planned another burst of five or six chapters. However, at 10 AM, I suddenly couldn't see the words on the computer screen. Everything was blurry with black spots, making it impossible to write. My wife said I was too tired and needed rest. With no other option, I retrieved the eye exercises passed down through my family for years, which I hadn't practiced in a long time, and did them a few times. The result? Absolutely useless. I got some sleep, and only then did the symptoms ease, allowing me to continue my burst of updates in the afternoon. While four chapters were fewer than planned, it was still pretty good.

This competition made me understand the gap between myself and the top authors. Although I didn't succeed and felt a bit disappointed, I was also very happy. Finishing in the top four for the year is an achievement I never even dreamed of before.

Well, what's past is past. A new year has begun, and I hope all your wishes come true and everything goes smoothly for everyone. May those in relationships stay together; may entrepreneurs achieve their "small goal" of 100 million; and may those spending time with family all be healthy. Of course, I also hope for your continued support, as this book will accompany you with laughter for a long time to come.

January is still a double-point month, and everyone has a guaranteed minimum.