Where the noise did not reach

Chapter 60 Sanjiang Speech
Eleven months later, as I am about to climb the Sanjiang River for the third time, it is difficult to simply describe my feelings as "happy".

This nearly year-long break felt more like a long trek, a journey step by step through the wilderness of self-doubt. Countless times I asked myself: Am I still capable? Can I still write?
Until I sat back down at the computer.

I had to type the first word, but I didn't even know the protagonist's name, so I simply closed my eyes and randomly typed "Xu Ling"—okay, that's it, this name that sounds a bit terrible.

I wrote three or four versions of the opening for Texas Tech, and revised the first chapter five or six times, but I still couldn't come up with a satisfactory opening. By August, I knew I couldn't wait any longer, and finally, I gritted my teeth and submitted a draft that even I wasn't satisfied with to the editors and reviewers.

Sure enough, the feedback from the peer review group was "a significant regression," and the editor, Biscuit, also pointed out that the pace was too slow. However, he still encouraged me: "It's okay to be a little slow; just use a good story to keep the readers engaged."

28 days have passed. Now we've finally reached this point. I've crawled here like the EDG team in the ditch, slowly but surely.

At this moment, I need to thank everyone.

Thank you to my editor, Cookie, for your crucial support and guidance during my most hesitant and uncertain period. Without your positive feedback at that time, this book might never have come to be published. Thank you so much.

Many thanks to my operations manager and review group leader, Zi Ye Chang Qing, for her tireless efforts and dedication to this book. Also, thank you to every member of the review group; you were the earliest readers of this book and its most insightful mentors. Without you, this book wouldn't be where it is today.

I also want to thank all the readers who have supported me. Every click, every recommendation vote, every comment, every suggestion, and every correction you've given has helped this book grow into what it is today.

Thank you to each and every one of you.

Finally, I'd like to update you that the novel is expected to be available for purchase around National Day. A new journey is about to begin, and I will continue to tell the story diligently.

Thank you everyone, see you with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2007-08 season.

(End of this chapter)