Since I exploded once, I might as well make a single-chapter bonus.
Simply begging for votes seemed a little too monotonous, so I figured I'd chat with everyone instead.
At the beginning of the month, my results were steadily improving. Then I suddenly wanted to take things a step further. Looking at the eighty thousand words I had saved up, I simply went all out.
But I still acted too hastily, and my state of mind became unsettled.
Fortunately, I adjusted in time.
Just as this single-chapter title says, life is a road through wind and rain, full of ups and downs.
When you rise, you have to stay steady. When you fall, you have to hold on.
I failed to stay steady last time. So now I can only hold on through this low point.
People can get carried away.
I did too.
After Auspicious Era, my confidence swelled to the heavens. Flowers were embroidered onto brocade, oil was poured onto blazing flames—copyright partnerships, commercial dealings, and invitations came rushing in one after another. Praise followed me everywhere, along with smiling faces. As the saying went, dazzling flowers gradually blurred the eye.
Fortunately, by then I had already handed over control of the finances. Otherwise, I have no idea what kind of mess I might have made of myself.
All kinds of drinking parties, all kinds of laughter.
Many readers who had once placed high hopes in me also gradually left me during those years.
There was once a story about a herdsman and a miller. The herdsman invited the miller to chat. The two of them talked on the hillside for an entire day, and both were delighted.
The cows had eaten their fill, so the herdsman's task was complete. He dusted off his backside and went home.