Twelve o’clock tonight, there’s still more than an hour to go.
This book stems from a story idea I had before, but I was quite hesitant to start writing because... approval.
It’s not the web novel approval, urban fantasy and urban cultivation, web novels can be written, like the corpse collector by Fei Long next door.
The ones who advised me not to write this book were my copyright partners. They repeatedly urged me to choose another story.
Because, in an urban worldview, surreal subjects can only be written as superpowers or science fiction. (For example, my previous book "Stay Calm and Don’t Flop" can be considered superpowers and soft sci-fi).
But if you write urban cultivation or urban fantasy... then you can forget about film adaptations, and the anime won’t sell either.
Due to approval issues with film and anime, it’s impossible to obtain rights for urban fantasy or urban cultivation subjects — superpowers and similar themes can still skirt the edges under the guise of soft sci-fi.
Cultivation, set in a modern urban environment, would completely close the path for the IP. Under the current approval framework for films and anime, the urban setting must never feature supernatural elements.
Nevertheless... I acted on impulse once again.
Writing another story isn’t impossible, but... only this story gives me the right feeling.
There was actually a more lucrative project, an urban sci-fi theme, and last year the party approached me to discuss it, and they were willing to offer complete rights, meaning the rights were essentially pre-sold before writing— but after reviewing the framework, I didn’t like it, found I had no feeling for it, so I rejected it.
Maybe, even at over forty years old, I’m still just a capricious guy.
I just want to write about a small-time hustler forced to become a con artist after leaving a big factory.
I just want to write about a small guy with a thick northeastern accent.
I just want to write about a timid but adorably unlucky girl.
I just want to write about an irreverent, superstitious old lady.
I just want to write about little stepmother literature...
... and many more interesting characters awaiting their debut...
To be frank, the performance of this book thus far is not as good as the previous one, and I clearly understand why— the latter part of the previous book had severe interruptions.
It hurt the trust of many readers.
So now this book’s performance is much worse than the previous one, and I accept that, cause and effect, right?
But I really have put a lot of effort into writing this story.
Before writing this book, I summarized my past experiences, so the framework of this book isn’t very large, and I no longer want to corner myself with logical traps.
The framework isn’t complex, so it should minimize writer’s block.
The framework isn’t large, so it shouldn’t take long to finish. My plan is between two hundred and two hundred fifty thousand words, more than a hundred thousand words shorter than the previous one.
Let’s talk about some reader feedback so far.
The similarity between Chen Yan and Puppy Chen from the previous book... in terms of their slippery nature, the two characters are somewhat similar.
Plus, both characters have the surname Chen, and the previous book ended and this one started back to back, so some readers can’t shake off the impression of the previous book.
Actually, if you read on, you’ll see a considerable difference between the characters.
The biggest difference is, Chen Yan is actually colder in temperament than Puppy Chen from the previous book.
Puppy Chen is the type that longs for warmth.
Chen Yan is intrinsically cold-hearted... he doesn’t wish for any warmth or familial affection, the old lady is his only concern in this world. Apart from the old lady, he’s essentially a person closed off inside.
Because people who’ve been hurt are different.
A person who’s grown up without parents, raised by his grandmother, from childhood to adulthood, would be subjected to a lot of discrimination from his surroundings, from this world.
So, his heart is cold, he views this world with a cold eye.
So far, none of the characters who have appeared have reached his heart.
Young Lady Gu hasn’t, that’s a cooperative relationship for mutual interests, Chen Yan helps Young Lady Gu complete the Nether Marriage, and she relies on him.
Even Lu Sisi, Chen Yan hasn’t truly fallen for this girl. It’s merely the natural attraction of a young man to a beautiful woman.
So, when the two were dating in the commercial street of Qixia Temple, Lu Sisi looked at Chen Yan with starry eyes, while Chen Yan...
His gaze wasn’t on Lu Sisi.
Just like a young man who doesn’t understand emotions, accidentally approaching a girl due to natural attraction.
Love... this thing, hasn’t sprouted in Chen Yan’s heart yet.
The old lady taught him a lot, about life and conduct, but she couldn’t teach him about emotions.
Additionally, Chen Yan is more mature and resolute than his peers.
This is actually a characteristic of someone who grew up without parents, subjected to years of bullying and discrimination.
In this regard, Puppy Chen from the previous book is different.
Puppy Chen has a charismatic demeanor that belongs to a top big shot.
Whereas Chen Yan is a cold young man who gains a bit of adventure, cautiously and curiously trying to carve out a path for himself.
Young Lady Gu is not Lu Xixi, and Lu Sisi is not Sun Keke. Rest assured, my character crafting holds some skill.
So far, the worldview of this book hasn’t been fully revealed, only a corner of the Domain Realm’s scroll has been unfurled.
Just watch how I tell the story to you all!
Twelve o’clock tonight, I hope you can support genuine subscriptions.
Especially the first Chapter subscription statistics, which are supremely important for the book’s performance, so if you can support, please do!
PS: I won’t participate in the February monthly ticket ranking; I previously released a single Chapter. This book will be written over the next year to rebuild my reputation. Until I can fix my reputation to the satisfaction of everyone, I won’t compete for the monthly ticket ranking.
Your monthly tickets, I’m not worthy of them yet.
Supporting subscriptions, especially the initial subscription, would already be a great support!
See you at twelve o’clock sharp.