Reflections on the Sanjiang Feature

I hadn't originally planned to write a separate post, but I felt that since I’ve made it onto the Sanjiang list, I really should say a few words.

Let’s start with the official stuff. This isn't just empty talk—these are truly my heartfelt thoughts.

Thank you to my editor. Even though the total number of sentences we’ve exchanged probably doesn’t exceed fifteen, you have been incredibly considerate of a guy like me, who is notoriously slow at writing and not very good with words. It is because of you that this book has achieved what it has so far. Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you to every one of my readers. Every comment, every recommendation ticket, and every spot on your bookshelves is precious. To have a place for "Quadruple Split" among them is enough to make me happy and excited. Thank you for tolerating my occasional bouts of mischief or tangents. In short, being able to write a story that resonates with everyone is truly a rewarding experience for me. My sincere gratitude to you all.

A special thanks to the anonymous comrade "Black Hand," who helped me set up the reader group, proofread typos, design maps, and discuss plot points with me until the break of dawn—all while risking the wrath of his wife! By the way, the reader group number is 226764250 (there really was no room left in the book description). Everyone is welcome to join.

And then, thanks to... well, that covers the serious parts.

Now, let me chat with you all in a more relaxed tone.

"Quadruple Split" has been a surprise for me. I remember it was just a completely ordinary day—no special effects, no auspicious omens, no foxes screeching, no thunder or lightning, and no big shots visiting me in my dreams...

I suddenly thought, "Ah! Let’s write about a person with a mental illness." And just like that, the prologue was born.

To have come this far (though it’s only been 150,000 words so far) is hard for me to believe. What’s even harder to believe is that all of you have accompanied me this far, diligently restraining your impulses to smash the top-right corner of your screens. It’s quite intimidating, honestly. For someone suffering from advanced procrastination, it’s truly daunting and carries a fair amount of pressure.

Every once in a very rare while, looking at myself in the mirror after managing only 4,000 words in a day, I have to desperately hold down the lid of the coffin suppressing my conscience just so I don’t break down in tears. Well, I’ve succeeded every time so far!

Since I can’t increase my efficiency, I can only repay you all with the most fleshed-out story possible. I treat every segment of the story, every character, every piece of foreshadowing, and every cliffhanger with the utmost seriousness [serious face].

In other words, I really can’t pull off any sudden bursts of mass updates, so please don't get your hopes up!

On a more serious note, "Quadruple Split" is not an easy story to handle. In fact, I often feel like I am writing four different works simultaneously, and their styles are vastly different. Mo Tan is not an easy protagonist to manage either; this "mentally ill" character is constantly making things difficult for me. Every character gives me a headache because I always want them to come "alive," to be flesh and blood, and to have a unique image in everyone’s mind.

Not to mention that while creating this theme, I have to be constantly vigilant about the countless logical loopholes that could appear, trying my best to take precautions, stay ahead of the game, avoid traps, and be careful not to let the pressure get to me... (Wait, nothing else snuck into that list!)

So, it really isn't easy. But I will do my absolute best to ensure the quality of the work so that it’s enjoyable for you to read. If you happen to have a knowing smile or spit out your drink from laughter occasionally, even better! I will also strive not to miss any updates. Since I’ve already said it’s hard for me to have bursts of productivity, missing updates would be truly inexcusable.

I won’t beg for votes. I haven't in the past, and I don't think I will in the future, because I believe reading is a pure and joyful experience, and I don’t want to say anything superfluous that might spoil that purity. If you like it, I am already satisfied.

Well, that’s all for this separate post. I found I had quite a lot to say as I was writing, but considering there will be a post when the book is officially published, and another one in the distant future when it concludes, I’ll stop here for now.

Once again, thank you all—my editor, my current readers, and my future readers.

Sanjiang Thoughts: End (Don't complain about this final line. I really didn't add it to pad the word count; I’m just in the habit of writing "Volume X: Complete" and "End"!)