Chapter 1360: Final Words

Final: Closing Remarks

Hello everyone, I'm a member of the Sha Chong Dui, quietly typing away.

I never imagined that one day I'd be writing these closing remarks for Shi Ri.

First of all, I truly, deeply thank all of you for listening to me tell this story.

I know Shi Ri still has many shortcomings and areas for improvement, and over the past nearly two years, I've been constantly trying to enhance my writing skills and improve the overall experience for readers. Thank you for your patience and for sticking with Shi Ri as it grew, until now when it's come into its own.

Just like with my previous work's conclusion, I'll be stepping back for a while to focus on creating side stories, and I'll go back to read through the entire piece. Without altering the plot, I'll do my best to remove all typos, fix grammatical errors, smooth out foreshadowing, refine rhetorical techniques, and flesh out character dialogues and other elements that can be improved.

I hope that no matter how many years pass, when someone picks up Shi Ri again, it will be a relatively complete work that can carry everyone's joys, sorrows, and emotions.

This is the second full-length novel I've completed in my life, and from the moment I wrote the first word, I never dreamed it would achieve what it has today.

I remember that day at work, I was killing time on my phone and, on a whim, typed the words "Empty House" into my notes app.

From there, I embarked on this long journey.

Because of Shi Ri, I've experienced many firsts.

My first author event, first publication, first multi-voice audio production, first adaptations into anime or film, first live stream to meet everyone, first book signing and fan meet-up, first university lecture, and first award.

At the same time, my writing was liked and disliked by an immeasurable number of people for the first time.

It wasn't until I saw lines from Shi Ri scrolling by in video comments on other platforms that I realized things were different from what I'd imagined.

Some authors have joked that on this writing path, I've been pushing forward like a "one-life speedrun," but I also know that this situation has brought me pressures I've never faced before in my life.

Since almost everything was new to me, I had to learn, adapt, strengthen my inner self, and strive to meet everyone's expectations—all while juggling it all.

During the creation of Shi Ri, I rarely projected myself onto Qi Xia, because I know my personality is nothing like his. I'm not exceptionally clever; I just act on my ideas, and if I fail, I try again. I don't have any special talents; I just endure loneliness.

But when I wrote the grand finale, as the words dealt with Yong Heng, I couldn't help but cry every day.

With millions of eyes on me and countless people waiting for Shi Ri's ending, I finally realized I'm just an ordinary person.

My initial reason for starting online writing was to supplement my family's income during the mask-wearing era when things were toughest. I heard rumors that the management bureau offered over 500 yuan a day, and at work, I'd daydream, chuckling to myself about how, if I had two books each earning 500, I'd be set.

Then I could support my family, buy things for them and for myself. I wouldn't have to fear the impacts of that time anymore, and I'd feel I'd done right by everyone, including myself.

But along the way, I unintentionally shouldered the expectations of more and more people, so I had to stay true to my roots, adapt, learn more, and give it my all to respond to those expectations.

By the time I'm writing this, over 5,000 people have said goodnight to Qi Xia at the end of Yong Heng. That day, reading all the messages, I broke down in tears. At 5 a.m. in front of my computer, I told myself thank you and that I'd worked hard.

I've led everyone out of the end, and with that, my connection to them is complete. I've given closure to the characters in the book, to the readers, and to all who were waiting.

I often think that while tens of thousands of people in my story are trapped in the end, in reality, I'm the only one truly confined by it.

For nearly two years, my life has been nothing but the end. I think about it while walking, eating, before sleeping, and upon waking. I worry about every character's situation and their subtle emotions, and even my dreams come from the end.

I've gradually given up almost all entertainment, barely traveled or socialized, and even when sick, I put off seeing a doctor. I've spent two years in silence at my desk, in front of my computer, on my keyboard. Two years ago, I was just a novice who couldn't even get "de, di, de" particles right.

Even when I take occasional breaks, if you check my author comments, you'll see it's usually for author events or because something related to the end delayed my writing, leading to another bout of the end.

I remember when my throat was bothering me, I finally took a day off to go to the hospital, only to find a benign tumor. The doctor suggested removal, but since I had a live stream about the end coming up, I kept postponing it.

As for other issues—like lower back strain, tendonitis, conjunctivitis, chronic insomnia, and anxiety—these aren't life-threatening, so I haven't taken time off just for them. Right now, as I'm writing this, I've slept a total of eight hours over the past three days.

So, in the final chapters, I couldn't hold back my tears.

Maybe it's hard for everyone to understand my feelings, but I've truly given it my all to present this story from beginning to end, despite its flaws, and I've been working hard the whole time.

Over these two years, whenever I faced criticism or hate, I always chalked it up to "not trying hard enough," so I'd double down day after day, rewriting plot lines, pushing myself into mental corners, and nearly isolating myself completely.

I always felt I wasn't doing well enough, that I had so many shortcomings. That's why I've never asked for gifts from anyone in the book. During physical book pre-sales, I'd always add, "Even if you don't buy the book, feel free to chat with me." In live streams, I'd remind everyone not to send gifts and to only do what they can afford, but if they do, I'd thank them sincerely because those gifts have supported me.

Friends who've met me in person probably remember that at every signing event, I'd look each person in the eyes and say thank you from the heart, and tell them they'd worked hard. I didn't miss anyone—I thanked them for their support and for making the effort to come. After the event, I'd thank all the staff and tell them they'd worked hard too. I always believed I needed to do better to deserve that affection.

Even though I've approached everyone with full kindness, I still encounter people every day who read the free novel and hurl abuse from their high horse. I've never charged them a penny or deceived anyone, yet I still face endless malice. Some know that once, I'd reply to every private message on every platform, going through thousands upon thousands each day, reading and responding carefully.

But now, I don't even check those messages anymore. I can only focus on taking care of myself at the end. So, I'm sorry to everyone—I've received your likes, but I've locked myself away.

Many people know my first signing had a small issue, and later, various sides advised me not to do in-person events anymore. But I felt I had to live up to every fan of Shi Ri, so in every decision, I put myself last. If there's something to be done, I'll do it, and I'll try my best to give back to every kind person—that's the only thing I can offer.

However, I think I'm just too exhausted now. A long journey has finally reached its end, and I really want to rest.

I'm not Qi Xia, and I'm not a god from the book. After this journey, I want to take a proper break. I want to eat a lot of delicious food and go see the sea. I want to play games for a long time and travel to other cities without any purpose.

I want to, once everything is settled, take good care of myself. From today, I can briefly not be a Sha Chong Dui member, but just myself.

As for writing, I came to it late in life, so compared to others, I don't have any special advantages. All I can do is put my whole heart into it, do everything with care, and even if it's not perfect, I'll give it my all. As I've said, I'm no god or natural talent, but I'll try to meet everyone's expectations. When countless people tag me on various platforms, I want to say, "I'm here," and "I've been trying hard," but right now, I'm really tired.

Regarding a new book, honestly, I haven't started planning yet—the theme, content, and release time are all unknown. My mind has been fully occupied with Shi Ri for the past few months. All I can say is that there will be one, and it'll still be on the platform. Rather than brainstorming a new book, I should finish the side stories first and take it step by step. There's plenty of time ahead.

So... that's it for now. I've used nearly 3 million words to shape Shi Ri, and I'm reserving these 3,000 words for myself. This time, my curtain is coming down. I sincerely bow to everyone reading this. Shi Ri isn't just my work; it's inseparable from each of you. With gratitude and thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

For me, that long, tangled, painful, nostalgic, yearning, joyful, sorrowful, eternal Shi Ri—starting from this moment—

Is thoroughly concluded.