"Chu Lian's new novel Sword and Fairy 1 will begin serialization tomorrow in Firefly Magazine. I don't understand why someone who displayed such unparalleled talent in the field of music—someone who could very well become the next Jade Wave Fairy—would choose to retire at the peak of her popularity and instead pick up her pen again to write a brand-new story."
"Even though she's shown remarkable promise in literature, the literary world in our country is already full of talent and recognized globally. By contrast, the music industry has become barren, and it desperately needs a once-in-a-generation genius to lead a revival. I am certain that if Chu Lian spent just a bit more time refining her craft, she would deliver a jolt to this dying field, just as the Jade Wave Fairy did with Moonlit Ripples on the Jade Lake seven years ago."
"But I really can't figure out her reasoning. Perhaps it's due to disgust with certain individuals; or perhaps, as she said, she truly wants to settle down, broaden her knowledge, and study diligently for a few years before debuting again. Or maybe… she simply has no real passion for the music scene and took this chance to exit."
"Whatever her true reason is, one thing I can say with certainty: we have failed to protect such a gifted individual."
"Though she never admitted it, I can guess that her decision to retire was, in large part, influenced by that incident. It made her unwilling to stir up needless trouble again—so she chose instead to become a quiet, book-writing author."
"To be honest, in today's internet climate, nothing is surprising anymore. But when certain types of people appear in waves—over and over—it's hard not to question whether this is just a surplus of scum… or something orchestrated from behind the scenes. And I think certain people know the answer very well."
"At her most helpless moment, it seemed she had no one to rely on but herself. Her friends, due to their limitations, couldn't help. Online support was scarce—so scarce it felt like there wasn't even a trace of counterattack. And at that time, where were those so-called public intellectuals and concerned individuals?"
"It's hard to explain. Maybe they were warned not to speak out. Maybe they were paid off. Maybe they simply didn't care about Chu Lian. Or maybe they were just waiting—watching to see if she had real strength before deciding which side to support. Some even took the chance to kick her while she was down, loudly declaring she had no talent."
"I don't know exactly how terrifying the malice is when all those opposing voices gather with no guardian to shield her—but I can imagine. That kind of pressure, that helplessness… it must have been overwhelming. And yet, during those days, she bore it all on her small, lone shoulders—facing down a world seemingly full of enemies. She still held her ground and used sheer talent and potential to prove herself."
"After that, supporters began springing up like bamboo shoots after the rain. Many of them had been silent observers, or people who had said nothing in the face of her defamation."
"So I ask: where were you when she needed you? Why didn't you dare speak up? Why did you leave her to carry the weight of the world alone? And after she won, why did you come crawling out to share in the joy—do you really think you're worthy? Do you even have the right?"
"Public intellectuals? Bah! More like public ignorance. Concerned parties? Ha! More like self-serving opportunists."
"Ask yourselves: when faced with a newcomer who so clearly showed boundless potential, why was the reaction not joy, but suppression? Why try to seize control of her for your own gain? Every accomplice acted only for themselves, never once considering anyone else. To them, as long as they profited, it didn't matter if the world burned or the music industry collapsed."
"Sure, maybe it has nothing to do with you, so you don't care. But I care—and so do others who think like I do!"
"When she was at her most helpless, we were still fighting—though she never saw us, though our efforts didn't make the slightest ripple, and even within our own group, many left. Still, I can proudly say: we never stopped supporting her. We've been by her side all along."
"So whether she sings, plays piano, or writes novels now, we'll continue supporting her as always."
"Chu Lian could abandon me a thousand times, but I will treat her like my first love every time!"
This was a long Weibo post that suddenly went viral about an hour after Chu Lian announced her new novel.
The blogger clearly knew how to grab attention—starting with an objective analysis of Chu Lian's shift from music to literature, sparking discussion. Then, he brought up past events one by one, evoking shame and curiosity. Finally, he made a passionate shift, speaking as a fervent fan and making his position crystal clear.
Especially powerful were the images he included—screenshots of their "fights" for Chu Lian during those darkest times. Under every video and comment thread, they left well-reasoned arguments in her defense. Though they were flamed, insulted, and even had their families cursed, they held firm. Not only that—they struck back, defending her with evidence and logic.
Seeing those screenshots stitched into a long collage, one could see that among the original thirty-some supporters, most had persevered—only five or six had left. Their spirit, tenacity, and courage were deeply admirable.
With these screenshots showing timestamps and comment IDs, their claims were undeniably true. Many people went to verify the posts and found most of them intact. Some missing ones had either been deleted by the original posters or removed after being reported.
Still, with everything that could be found proving true, there was no reason to doubt the rest.
These were the real ultra-loyal fans—the unshakable ironclad supporters. And this is the group most valued and most sought-after by any public figure.
This small group of just thirty people eventually formed a fan alliance named "The Heart of First Love," with their slogan: "Chu Lian could abandon me a thousand times, but I will treat her like my first love every time!"
The purpose of this long post wasn't just to declare their continued support—it was also a recruitment call. They wanted to expand their unofficial alliance until it had enough influence to speak with Chu Lian directly.
But entry into "The Heart of First Love" wasn't easy. First priority was given to scattered individuals who had consistently defended Chu Lian wherever they were. These applicants had to submit screenshots and pass a review. Any attempt at forgery meant permanent ban.
Next were fans who, while less outspoken, had shown their support through actions—countering hate comments, sharing her works, or standing up for her in subtle but firm ways.
Lastly, those who had supported Chu Lian silently—owning her entire The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, having watched and bookmarked all her videos, and following all her public accounts—could also join.
These three groups made up the majority of her core fandom, and they were exactly who the alliance needed most.
Even though the new novel was being released in a serialized format, that didn't mean it couldn't be supported. Look at the grassroots fan group from Monkey King: Hero Is Back—they proved how much fans could do.
They genuinely loved Chu Lian—not just her works. While not every fan would love every single piece she made, if something stood out, they were more than willing to go all-out in promoting it.
And indeed, the development proved it. Though Chu Lian's new book didn't start off with a bang, it became a textbook example of a slow-burn novel. The further the story progressed, the more gripping and vivid it became.
With each new installment, a beautiful and fantastical xianxia world began to unfold—crafted through Chu Lian's hands and blending many imaginative elements. It revealed a land filled with mythical legends, rare treasures, exotic creatures, and rich characters. Though whimsical, it was irresistibly captivating.
All of this showcased just how excellent the work was—like a perfect answer to the hopes and expectations of her waiting fans.
Soon enough, the book needed no promotion from Chu Lian herself. Members of "The Heart of First Love" had already saturated the internet with fan-made ads.
This fan group—made up of Chu Lian's most devoted supporters—truly came from all walks of life. Students, teachers, parents, market vendors, white-collar workers, regular laborers, rich heirs, and even wealthy entrepreneurs.
Such a complex web of people had come together for one reason—Chu Lian. No divisions, no gaps—only shared admiration and support. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Perhaps Chu Lian herself was a miracle—that's why so many extraordinary things surrounded her.
And that night, the alliance that would one day become Chu Lian's most steadfast shield—"The Heart of First Love"—began its journey.
All of it, of course, completely unknown to the peacefully sleeping Chu Lian.