Closing Thoughts

This book took a long time to write, almost a year. Except for the first 50,000 words when I stopped updating for two months due to mental issues, I have been updating it steadily for nearly ten months since then.

I've imagined countless times what I'll feel when I finish writing Su Hang's story—joy, happiness, or reluctance? None of those. All I feel is a sense of serene relief.

I am fat.

Oh, he was fat at least a year ago.

Everyone says that fat people don't deserve love, and I firmly believe it. After all, I was a long-distance runner in middle school, winning gold medals in the 3000 meters every time at the school sports meet, and even placing in the district sports meet.

I had a well-proportioned figure and, while not exactly handsome, I was good-looking. However, in my second year of high school, due to irreconcilable family conflicts and reasons I couldn't explain to myself, I gained a lot of weight and became obese in just one year.

Yeah, Xiaopang 160 pounds.

By the time I was in college, I had become Dapang over 180 pounds. I knew very well that I would never have anything to do with love again in this life, until during my college internship, a girl took the initiative to add me as a friend on the King of Glory.

Let's call her [ Miss Lu ].

Miss Lu is one of my readers. At least when I heard the news, I was quite surprised. She had read my novel, the very first " King of Glory " novel I created on the Tomato platform.

Fate? I don't know.

She said she really liked my novel, talked to me about the plot, asked me about my update schedule every day, and would occasionally beg me to tell her in advance what would happen next.

At that time, I had only been writing novels for two years and didn't have the habit of making outlines. I only had a rough outline, and I would make up the plot every day. So every time she asked me about the direction of the novel, I would give vague answers.

Then one day, my novel was finished, and she stopped talking to me about it. Instead, she started inviting me to play Honor of Kings every day.

Miss Lu is terrible at King of Glory.

At least that's how I felt at the time. I suddenly regretted accepting her WeChat friend request. She would share what happened at school with me every night, but she wouldn't look at her phone for even a minute.

A dozen or so unread messages from Miss Lu.

It's so annoying, really annoying, but she's a fan of my book, so at least I have to put on a good show. She said she got scolded by her teacher today, and I comforted her, telling her to quietly scold the teacher back after the teacher finishes scolding her.

She said she was very happy today because the cafeteria had her favorite food. I replied with "uh-huh," and she suddenly asked me, "What do you like to eat?"

What do you like to eat?

I had just finished eating a hamburger and fried chicken fast food, and my stomach was bulging. The greasy food was churning in my stomach, and I didn't want to eat anything. I casually replied, "Fruit, please."

Miss Lu asked me for my address.

I said, "What are you doing?"

Miss Lu described vividly how they have lots of delicious fruits there, like Apple, watermelons, and peaches, and said she'd mail me a box next year when she has time.

I provided the address.

An hour later, the deliveryman knocked on my door. It was a large fruit salad with Apple, watermelon, and peaches. I didn't get the fruit Miss Lu was supposed to deliver a year later; instead, I got the fruit salad an hour later.

It's delicious.

That was the best fruit salad I've ever had.

With the arrival of the Autumn Equinox, I have known Miss Lu for two months now, and our relationship has evolved from gaming friends to online friends.

"Do you like milk tea?" I asked.

"Are you trying to give me my first milk tea of autumn?" Miss Lu was delighted.

No, a new milk tea shop just opened downstairs from my apartment. I just passed by and was thinking of buying a cup, but there were so many kinds that I didn't know which one to choose. I'm being honest.

Miss Lu sent a pouting emoji and didn't say anything.

I bought a lemonade and returned to my rented room. The delivery person knocked on the door. It contained two cups of milk tea: one was watermelon bubble milk tea, and the other was taro bubble milk tea. They were a gift from Miss Lu.

Should I reciprocate with a gift?

At the time, I was thinking, but I didn't know Miss Lu's address, so I didn't want to ask, or rather, I didn't dare to ask.

But I asked anyway.

Miss Lu sent me the address.

One hour later.

Miss Lu sent me a photo and a speechless emoji, saying, "Do you think I can finish this?"

Um

I ordered her three milk teas and a free ice bucket.

Miss Lu did not send any messages that night.

A message came the next morning.

I asked, "Aren't you at school?"

Miss Lu said, "I've taken the day off."

I asked, "Why did you suddenly ask for leave?"

Miss Lu said that she drank too much milk tea and her stomach felt uncomfortable.

I asked, "How much did you drink?"

Miss Lu said, all of them.

I asked, "Did you drink it all?"

Miss Lu said, "That's the milk tea you ordered for me, so I'm definitely going to drink it all."

Another month passed.

Miss Lu suddenly sent me an artistic photo with her name engraved on it.

I asked, "Where did you get that?"

She said she was waiting in the Douyin live stream room.

I asked again, "How much?"

She said it's free; all you have to do is spam your name in the chat so the streamer sees it and they'll make it live.

I asked again, "What's the streamer's name?"

She told me her name.

I used my alternate account to search for this streamer on Douyin.

She's a small streamer with fewer than ten viewers online. I saw my name scrolling wildly across the chat in the live stream; it was Miss Lu who sent the messages.

The host said helplessly, " Miss Lu, just get straight to the point. Do you need me to make some artistic lettering for you?"

"Nine sheets, "Miss Lu said.

Then.

Miss Lu sent me nine photos of my artistic calligraphy on WeChat, saying, "Your birthday is coming soon, and I'm preparing a big gift for you."

"What wonderful gift?" I asked.

Miss Lu kept everyone in suspense, saying, "You'll find out when the time comes."

The day before my birthday.

I received a birthday gift from Miss Lu.

It was a large cardboard box covered with cute animal stickers. Miss Lu said it took her more than two hours to apply them.

Upon opening the cardboard box, a variety of snacks and drinks came into view. Miss Lu said that since you like snacks, she put in extra snacks and drinks.

She took out the snacks and drinks from the first shelf, and the second shelf had many cute plush toys. Miss Lu said that she had won them one by one from the claw machine at the mall.

I asked, "Why not just buy it directly?"

"You blockhead, "Miss Lu said, pouting.

Taking out the plush toys from the second shelf, the third shelf revealed a wider variety of items: scarves, neck massagers, steam eye masks, anime figurines and photos, clothes, newspapers, lip balm, a duck-shaped nightlight...

Each small gift had a sticky note attached.

"You'll be going out eventually, right? Remember to wear it in late autumn and winter!"

"Hey, you screen-addicted folks, remember to protect your neck and shoulders!"

"You spend too much time on your phone and computer; remember to protect your eyes."

"I heard that boys all like Naruto, is that true?"

There are two pieces of clothing inside: a thin one to wear at home and a thick one to wear when going out.

Guess why I delivered the newspaper to you?

"Autumn is dry, so make sure your lips are plump and full!"

"Little nightlight, keep it up! Keep up the good work with your writing!"

I tore open the clothing packaging, tried it on, and it fit perfectly. Miss Lu said, "This is the largest size. I even went to the mall to buy it for you."

I asked, "Why are you giving me a newspaper?"

Miss Lu said mysteriously, "You'll know once you open it."

I opened it and looked inside; it was just an ordinary newspaper.

It's a newspaper from the year, month, and day you were born, you idiot!

I said, "Oh, thank you."

"More than friends, less than lovers" is probably the most accurate description of my relationship with Miss Lu. We both understand each other without saying a word, and I silently enjoy Miss Lu's favoritism year after year.

Until the end of 2024.

Miss Lu and I have had a complete falling out.

I said those words that I'll regret for the rest of my life.

I love you.

Miss Lu did not answer.

At that time, I had just passed my driving test. I drove alone for over 600 kilometers to Miss Lu's city and asked, "Will you come to see me?"

Miss Lu was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes."

I bought a bouquet of roses and gave it to Miss Lu.

Miss Lu only took one of the flowers.

I apologized profusely to Miss Lu.

Miss Lu listened silently until the end, and finally said, "I was wrong too."

Yes! The fault was yours from the start!

I asked Miss Lu if there was still a chance.

Miss Lu did not answer.

I've forgotten Miss Lu's last look.

I only remember that I was trembling all over, as if I had been humiliated.

I drove home in a torrential downpour; it was very cold. I left that bouquet of roses forever under a bridge in Miss Lu's city. Perhaps someone will find it, or perhaps no one will.

But whether it's discovered or not, that bouquet of roses will eventually wither and die.

Yes!

Miss Lu betrayed me!

I went back to my hometown.

My mood seemed to calm down instantly.

I looked in the mirror, and there was no light in my eyes.

Yeah, I should lose weight.

I got a gym membership and started dieting.

I spend four hours a day at the gym, doing cardio on the treadmill, stair climber, and elliptical trainer, as well as strength training on the lat pulldown, chest machine, and barbell bench press.

I didn't ask anyone how to lose weight; I just knew how to exercise. Whenever no one was using the gym machines, I would exercise.

More exercise isn't enough.

You also need to control your diet.

I didn't prepare any diet meals. A steamed bun, a skinless chicken leg, and a can of sugar-free cola—that was my entire day's diet.

My weight dropped drastically.

I've changed. I've become indifferent, irritable, and aggressive, with a sense of malice filling my heart.

then.

Su Hang was born.

This is why Su Hang was so aggressive in the early stages; I projected some of my own personality traits and habits onto Su Hang.

Negative reviews are everywhere.

I became more indifferent and irritable. Insufficient sugar intake and soaring cortisol levels made my emotions feel like they were on a rollercoaster. I was filled with anger day and night, and even writing books to vent my anger was not enough to completely release it.

I started playing Honor of Kings.

Sun Quan was just released in Season 40. I played him once. He was frustrating in the early game, but he could dominate the game in the late game. This was so similar to my experience. So, in just one week at the beginning of the season, I used Sun Quan to reach 80 stars in the Glory King.

Win the city bid.

I love Sun Quan so much! I utterly crush my opponents and relentlessly pressure my teammates. I've wiped out all the top 100 players in the Great Nation's rankings. I've also lashed out at any high-ranking support player who makes a mistake.

I will obtain the provincial standard, the Minor National Badge, and eventually the Major National Badge of Sun Quan.

I can do it, I firmly believe it. I have complete control over my body. Whatever I want, my flesh will obey my soul and do everything in its power to make it happen.

Because of the four-month timeframe.

I went from 180 pounds to 130 pounds.

Until I met a Xiao Qiao player.

That was a ranked match I played on my smurf account. I didn't get Sun Quan, so I filled in as a jungler and played Dian Wei.

Dian Wei is vulnerable to invasions from the enemy jungle. I sent a signal to Xiao Qiao in advance, and although she received it, she didn't come to the jungle to help defend. I immediately typed a message to scold her.

Xiao Qiao was indignant and argued with me for the entire game.

game over.

My Dian Wei has the second-lowest rating in the entire team, Xiao Qiao has the lowest rating.

I pulled Xiao Qiao into the meeting right away. She didn't swear once, and neither did I. I just couldn't stand Xiao Qiao. It's one thing to be bad at the game, but she also keeps arguing.

I went over the details of the game with Xiao Qiao, criticizing her relentlessly. After racking her brains, Xiao Qiao finally said, "You're not much better than me."

Upon hearing this, I immediately became furious. I didn't bother to review the game with her anymore; instead, I took her to a ranked match and instantly locked in Sun Quan.

I remember it clearly: two pentakills, three quadrakills, and by the end of the game, my Sun Quan's kill count was almost 30. I was on a killing spree, really on a killing spree. Xiao Qiao was completely stunned.

After the game ended, my teammates and opponents frantically added me as a friend.

Xiao Qiao started apologizing to me frantically.

I didn't give him any chance and kicked her out of the team. Xiao Qiao then added me as a friend on King of Glory, saying she was wrong, sorry, boss, sorry, could you teach me how to play King of Glory again? She's a newbie.

Xiao Qiao added me more than ten times.

I didn't agree, but since she wanted to learn, I pulled Xiao Qiao into the room and started another ranked match, explaining the game skills to her. This match wasn't as good as the first one; she only got one pentakill and a dozen or so kills.

Later, Xiao Qiao wanted my friend slot, repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm a newbie, I just started playing. Can you give me a friend slot and teach me later? I'll give you a skin."

I still didn't agree, and kicked Xiao Qiao out of the room. I then switched to my main account to play in the Peak Tournament. To this day, Xiao Qiao's friend request is still quietly sitting in my alt account.

Um.

This is part of the prototype for Liuli.

It is also the true story of Su Hang and Liuli's first encounter.

At the beginning of 2026, I successfully lost weight, and my weight has stabilized at 120 pounds instead of 180 pounds. I went from being a greasy, Dapang to a handsome high school student.

Why say high school student?

When I went to buy an item that was supposed to be for adults, the salesperson seemed skeptical and said, "Are you an adult? You look like a high school student from around here. We can't sell to you if you're not an adult."

I didn't bring my ID card, so I can only use an electronic document as proof.

After the Lunar New Year, my indifference and irritability suddenly disappeared. Relatives and friends all said that I had returned to my old self, still a bit dull, but very gentle.

Yes, at first I was convinced that Miss Lu had betrayed me, but now when I think back, it's all sweet memories with Miss Lu. Maybe Miss Lu betrayed me, or maybe she didn't.

Just like the bouquet of roses I left in Miss Lu's city, all those sweet memories between Miss Lu and me are frozen in that moment. Roses may wither and fade, but love never will.

Returning to the main point, what Su Hang actually wanted most was something I hesitated about. Initially, I set it as [going home], which meant Su Hang returning to his original world.

But I always felt something was off. Having been betrayed by his team in his past life, Su Hang couldn't possibly want to go home. Later, I realized that what Su Hang wanted was [death].

So the outline was scrapped and started all over again. Many readers said that if Su Hang died after the Crowned and Proclaimed Emperor competition, the story would be considered a masterpiece. But I wanted to bring Su Hang back to life and give him a happy ending.

So, a sci-fi plot that felt completely disconnected from the first million words appeared. I knew it would cause readers to stop following the story and receive countless negative reviews, but I had to let Liuli save Su Hang.

The 250,000-word soft science fiction plot ended with Liuli successfully saving Su Hang, but I felt no joy; instead, I felt a sense of loss.

As I write this reflection on the end, it's already late at night. I put on my coat and went out for a walk to clear my head. This black windbreaker is the one I bought after losing weight and reaching 130 pounds. At the time, I even wondered if it would be too small.

It's a little big on me now.

The rural road was dark and had no streetlights, but I walked it countless times every day. I remembered every pothole Qingqing. Before I knew it, I arrived at the intersection of the rural road and the county road.

The county roads are lined with streetlights, making them brightly lit.

Every time I walk this way to clear my head, I turn back home, but this time I stood at the intersection for a long time. I thought of the characters I created: the resilient Liuli, like a blade of grass; the hot-tempered Huyan Lan; the money-loving Jiang Sui and Yin Long; and the gluttonous Hu Xiao...

They were all standing in the light.

But I know.

They weren't waiting for me.

It's Su Hang.

Su Hang's story has come to an end.

But my story doesn't end there.

Even the longest night will pass, and even the slowest sun will rise.

The journey is long and the mountains are high, but we'll meet again someday!