I revised this chapter many times, cutting out a significant amount of archived material without hesitation, and ultimately rewrote nearly the entire thing.
In the end, I managed to capture some of the feeling I had in my mind.
Without question, the central theme of this arc is persistence.
The *Chronicle of Human Ancestor* served its usual role of highlighting the theme, as it always does.
A few days ago, this book was on a free-reading promotion, and readers who had been paying for subscriptions might have noticed some less-than-flattering reviews from new readers on the Qidian review section.
Actually, those were pretty tame compared to what I'm used to.
Slander, verbal abuse, curses involving family members, repeated mass-reporting — I've been writing this book for four or five years now, and I've experienced more of that than I could ever count.
Among the many criticisms, there was one particular take: "An author who can write a protagonist like this must be a pervert themselves."
This take is both laughable and honestly kind of sad.
By that logic, authors who write light, fluffy stories must be light and fluffy in real life? Authors who write dark fiction must be inherently dark? Mr. Li Zongwu, who wrote the *Thick Black Theory*, must actually be thick and black himself? And since I've written plenty of harem novels before, does that make me a womanizer?
Many people don't understand Fang Yuan, just as they don't understand my original intention in creating this book.
Fang Yuan has never let his dream wither. And I have never forgotten the original intention behind this book — to write a villain.
I know that the vast majority of readers are used to protagonists who play the hero, because that's the easy path, one free of moral weight. But real life is never that easy — it's far more often cold and cruel. That's why I recommend that many of you, before reading this book, take the time to read its preface.
I set out to write a villain. And when you write a villain, you cannot avoid writing about cruelty and coldness.
Many readers don't like Ma Hongyun or Zhao Lianyun.
I understand you, I truly do!
But for my part, I love the protagonist Fang Yuan, and I love the supporting characters too — Bai Ningbing, Ma Hongyun, Hei Loulan, Ying Wu Xie, and the rest.
Because each of them carries their own will, their own brilliance, their own unique fortunes and their own way of thinking.
They are living, breathing people — reflections of real people we encounter in our everyday lives, of various aspects of the human condition.
Some people have to work hard for everything. Some people are incredibly lucky and reap rewards without effort. Some people start from a position of privilege and can coast on their family's connections. Some people are blessed with looks and charm…
That's just how society works. The world I've built in this novel should be the same — it should contain all of these things.
And as for me, I lean toward personal effort and the realization of one's own self-worth.
That is why the protagonist is Fang Yuan.
I know that most of you, too, lean toward personal effort and self-worth, and that is why you love the character of Fang Yuan.
Ma Hongyun's death might seem somewhat comical, but I feel it was inevitable.
Tonight I'll be doing a special feature on Ma Hongyun on my WeChat public account, with an in-depth interpretation and analysis of the character.
I think each of us, living in this world, should have an open and tolerant heart. We love the character Fang Yuan — why not also look for the bright spots in other characters? Just like in real life, there are always people around us that we find somewhat annoying. But if we shift our perspective, we might discover the shining qualities in those very people.
A person with that kind of vision is truly blessed.
Because his or her heart will be broad, and they won't be so easily upset by external things.
Being alive and being happy — isn't that a wonderful thing in itself?
More importantly, people with broad horizons won't let their own prejudices block their understanding.
Looking at things from that angle, you'll find all sorts of fascinating things in life. And as for those book reviews from a few days ago, you'll be able to look down at them from a higher vantage point.
Thank you all for your support.
Fang Yuan has always persisted.
And I, the author, have also always persisted — I have never given up!
Once again, thank you all for your unwavering support. Please continue to subscribe to the official version — that kind of support is never in excess. Thank you, everyone!
Please follow my WeChat public accounts "Gu Zhen Ren" and "Author Gu Zhen Ren." Tonight I'll be analyzing the controversial character Ma Hongyun, and I hope many of you will share your own thoughts and perspectives. (To be continued.)