Chapter 0 to Chapter 589.5 contains author statements. It will not be deleted. Readers who are not interested can skip to the next chapter.
As mentioned in the introduction and the first chapter, there will be multiple romantic storylines, but these are not the main focus of this story. I have also written about many romantic subplots involving both mutual and unrequited love in previous chapters, and there will be many more in the future, serving as a diversion around the career storyline.
Perhaps my romance scenes weren't to everyone's liking, and you're welcome to express your dislike—that's your right as a reader. However, please refrain from attacking readers who express their liking in the comments section, as expressing enjoyment is also a right of every reader.
Whenever a romantic subplot appears, readers in the comments section are labeled with tags like "male-loving mom," "male-obsessed sister," "spoiled wife," or "sex-obsessed." It's even gotten to the point where some friends, when expressing their opinions on the romantic storylines, first have to add self-deprecating remarks like, "First of all, I'm not a male-obsessed person," or "I thought it was just a sex-obsessed person." However, since I've already stated that there will be multiple romantic subplots, it means that readers have the right to discuss these parts of the plot, and this doesn't constitute being insensitive (posting irrelevant content without considering the context) or indulging in wishful thinking (fantasizing).
I noted the romantic subplot in the synopsis, and I described these subplots in the main text. However, my readers can only express their opinions on this part of the story cautiously, fearing they will be labeled in various ways. This is my dereliction of duty.
Before publishing this chapter, I had already considered countless possible interpretations and distortions, such as "So many people criticized Ye Chu in the previous chapters, but she got anxious seeing the boy being criticized," or "She's standing up for the boy's mother," "The girl who loves the boy is exposed," or "Li Duping angrily wrote a long essay for the boy," etc. These kinds of interpretations, posted in public forums and judged on various platforms, are nothing new in the internet age. To write this novel in a forum-style format, I have several accounts on various platforms, lurking in different groups and absorbing the influence daily. I am well aware of the ecosystems of different platforms. But if I don't issue these statements, it would be tantamount to letting the readers fight it out themselves, letting them bear the brunt of the arguments, attacks, and insults. Hiding behind the barrage of criticism from readers, pretending to be innocent and ignorant, is the act of a coward.
Those who have followed the story to this point will know that in earlier chapters I kept commenting and telling the author to defend Ye Chu because I love Ye Chu; so now I'm standing up for "readers who are attacked for expressing their liking of certain plot points" because I love my readers.
I should have done this long ago, but I remained silent due to my own cowardice. Today, I am determined to stand up and take responsibility as an author, and to state my position:
Each relationship represents a period in Shang Yechu's life, reflecting her attitude and choices regarding love and being loved. Their purpose isn't to have Shang Yechu "enter marriage, spend her life with someone, be a wife and mother, and retire from the world" (I doubt any reader would expect me to write that, but I'm emphasizing it again). Rather, they are there to allow her to experience, enjoy, and heal her wounds, or simply to showcase her growth and changes at each stage. There is no official male or female pairing. You can ship them if you want. Her career is a long river, and the different romantic relationships are merely tributaries flowing into it. They neither change the river's direction nor its unwavering determination.
Every reader has the right to express themselves freely, provided it does not harm others. Novels are meant for entertainment, and there is no hierarchy among readers. Readers who enjoy romance or ship couples are no less sophisticated or superior than those who focus solely on the action scenes. Please refrain from attacking readers with differing tastes in the book's comment section, especially from making personal attacks on the individual readers who leave comments.
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Based on past experience, here are some general responses to potential issues:
Question: It's clear that Zhuang Sheng is the author's true love; he got scolded in several chapters, which made the author so angry that he quickly jumped out and wrote a short essay.
Answer: I have written four short essays since the beginning of the book. The first and second essays were because Shang Yechu was criticized, and I stood up to ask readers not to criticize the female lead, as Shang Yechu's early considerations had their reasons. The third essay was because I used the idiom "nagging and fussy" in the text, and some people chased after me and cursed my whole family. I stood up to express my refusal to provide writing guidance. Today's essay is the fourth one. Because some readers have been criticized, I stand up to ask everyone in the comments section to respect each other and not attack each other.
If you all think Zhuang Sheng is my true love, and that I'm only issuing this statement because of the character Zhuang Sheng, then feel free to attack my true love to break my defenses; ignore the three detachable heart models mentioned above.
Q: If Zhuang Sheng isn't your true love, there were people who shipped Li Yi, Shi Shan, and Yang Huanyi's love story, and there were also people who criticized it. Why didn't you stand up for them then? Now that you're standing up for him, isn't it just because you love your dear Zhuang Sheng?
A: As I mentioned earlier, "Actually, I should have done this a long time ago, but I remained silent because of my cowardice." This question is like saying that you have 5 steamed buns. After eating the 5th one, you are full, so you don't need to eat the first 4 anymore. Only the 5th one is useful.
Q: The author of "Good Green Tea" is in trouble again. A few comments are being blown out of proportion like a deathbed speech, when in reality nobody cares.
A: That's just the kind of person I am. When Ye Chu gets criticized, I get anxious; when I get criticized, I get anxious; when my readers get criticized, I get anxious. Something that seems trivial to everyone else might seem serious to me, making me think and struggle, and in the end, I write a bunch of stuff to bother everyone.
Q: Are you siding with the shippers and those who prefer romantic storylines? Did you write this to criticize those of us who don't like romance and are career-oriented? Are you supporting the male-male mother?
A: If I were to criticize those who prioritize career development and those who prefer no romantic pairing, given the ratio of career to romance in this story, and Shang Yechu's attitude towards most unrequited love, I would have already committed seppuku. I think I've made my point clear: it's fine if you like the career, romance, or characters, but please don't attack readers with different preferences in the comments section—as long as that reader doesn't mean any harm. Rather than saying I'm standing up for male-dominated mothers, I'd say I'm standing up for "readers who have been stigmatized, labeled, and attacked."
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