It's dark, and fireworks are going off outside. The ominous year of Gengzi is about to end, so let's use this traditional art, full of memories and righteousness, to bid it farewell.

A lot has happened during this Lunar New Year. I had gout for two or three months in the first half of the year, and took Chinese medicine for half a year in the second half. Besides those, there were all sorts of major events, some convenient to talk about and some not. Perhaps there will be a summary in the future, but for today, let's just be happy for Chinese New Year's Eve.

The recent updates have been good, that's obvious.

So here's what I'm thinking: From now on, no one can step on my head and say I'm slow with updates anymore...

Alright, let's talk seriously.

Every time *Son-in-Law* updates quickly, it attracts all sorts of speculation, such as whether I'm being influenced by reality, rushing to a hasty ending, whether the story will quickly slide towards the finale, whether Angry Banana's ideas have changed...

Dear readers, the entire structure of the ending of *Son-in-Law*, in fact, had already been swirling in my mind countless times before I finished writing the seventh volume. Regarding the lives of every important character, I have also repeatedly revised them many times. These things have been brewing for many years, and they have unparalleled significance to me. What I do every day is to make every step of this process as interesting as possible. This requires a great deal of mental exertion, which has been my main problem in the past few years.

It won't suffer the possibility of a rushed ending, no one needs to worry about that.

And throughout the writing process, I have been avoiding it being troubled by reality. The simplest example is that I have to update today, so I just publish it carelessly. You see, there has never been such a thing—of course, I don't like correcting typos.

I usually finish a chapter with complete energy and excitement, thinking, "This is so interesting, I really want it to be seen faster," and then publish it immediately. Good writing urges the author, and only when it gives me such a signal will I let it meet you. If it is still a little shy and not ready, it usually becomes a discarded draft.

Today is like this, and I think it will be the same in the future.

More than ten years ago, when I was writing *Survival Diary in Another World*, I told people, "I'd rather be a eunuch than leave it unfinished." I don't pursue mediocre closures and endings. If you've read *Stealth Assassin*, you'll find that the ending is meant to sublimate the theme. *Son-in-Law* is the same. The sublimation of the last volume will definitely surpass the seventh volume in various senses. This sublimation is by no means the kind of "profound meaning" that only a few people can perceive. I guarantee that after it is written, most people will be able to empathize.

Next, you will see it.

There are still more than two hours before Chinese New Year's Eve passes and the New Year arrives. This book is about to enter its eleventh year. Thank you for your company along the way. It's really not easy.

There are many more rambling things I want to say, but I realize that if I keep talking, it will never end.

Here, I would like to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year's Eve, and success in your careers and good health in the New Year.

That's it.

See you in the Year of the Ox.

^_^