End-of-Volume Summary

Volume One has come to an end. I am deeply grateful to all the readers who have followed Xu Chengjun since he began writing "The Barn."

Thank you for your companionship.

Last night, I held a giveaway, offering four copies of "The Grand Biography of Zhang Juzheng" as a token of appreciation to mark the conclusion of Volume One.

I had been saying for days that Volume One would soon end, yet here I am still writing.

I decided that since it began with "The Barn," it should also conclude with "The Barn."

Volume One burst forth with fresh vigor beneath the pen, and its content needs no further elaboration: Xu Chengjun steps into the literary world, embarking on a path of literary creation and theoretical research.

This volume marks the rebirth of Xu Chengjun, as well as my own rebirth as an online novelist.

Throughout this journey, many challenges arose.

I wanted to write something more original, striving to become a true literary master, but this cost me many potential readers.

I chose a more traditional writing style, which led to relatively mediocre results.

These two are, in fact, intertwined. To innovate requires laying groundwork, which inevitably shifts focus somewhat, diverging from some readers’ expectations.

But once committed, one must grit their teeth and see it through to the end.

As for the current results:

Initial subscriptions numbered 789, now averaging 840.

For those familiar with writing on Qidian, you’ll know these numbers are quite ordinary.

I hardly dare to check the backend for updates anymore.

To be honest, there were many things I wanted to express but didn’t manage to write out. I must admit, I am still too inexperienced as an online writer.

I need to read more, learn more, and write more. (Laughs)

My mental state wasn’t great in the first few days after launching, but—here comes a “but”—

As a newcomer struggling in the ranks, I was amazingly gifted a patron reward from a league leader!

I truly thank the great Zuo Xian and You Yu!

Though the monetary value of a single league leader’s reward isn’t much, the spiritual significance behind it is immense.

It was truly a tremendous morale boost.

Though writing extra chapters was exhausting, I managed to push through.

Just one league leader’s reward is enough to enjoy the experience. More would literally make me want to spit blood (although that didn’t happen).

...

Volume Two, titled "Ink Spills Across the Mountains and Rivers, Unrestrained in Spirit," primarily follows Xu Chengjun’s journey to Fudan University, gradually gaining nationwide renown and even some international influence. This influence spans multiple fields, not just literature.

I won’t delve too deeply into specifics here to avoid spoilers. I welcome your feedback on this section—let’s crowdfund this book together!

My earlier launch message was criticized by my father as too literary, so this volume’s conclusion will be more casual.

Qidian is good overall, but even as the author, I have to spend some coins on my own book. Sometimes I think about reading your comments, but...

I have to pay to read my own writing!

Well, never mind, I won’t bother then.

Though I occasionally subscribe to a chapter.

Just writing casually; feel free to read and share your thoughts.

Now, I hold no grand ambitions for the numbers. As I always say: if you read more, I’ll write more; if no one reads, I’ll write less.

Thank you all for your company.

Volume Two sets sail!

Finally, a routine request for monthly votes and continued reading support.

Oh, and subscriptions are very important. If you want to support the book, please consider enabling auto-subscribe.

—End Volume One—