Looking Back on Twenty Years of Reading 回顾往昔，二十年书途。

1 希EN The Empire of Shilin 希灵帝国 Yuantong远瞳Sci-Fi8.1M WordsCompleted This isn't about imperial conquest, adventures in another world, or leveling up and cultivating. In fact, this is a very serious, proper, and earnest hard science-fiction story about saving the world. Just take it seriously. All right, actually, it's just the hilarious, shameless daily life of a bunch of screwball leaders and a deadbeat head of state saving the world. A slacker shut-in suddenly becomes the head of an empire, while a middle-aged man with a super-dad aura adopts countless little g 40Votes1.1MRecs988.7kFans

Curator note

It's not about imperial conquest, otherworldly conflicts, or leveling up and cultivating skills. In fact, this is a very serious and earnest hard science fiction novel about saving the world—just take it as a serious read. Okay, actually, this is just a group of unreliable leaders and a terrible head of state having a hilarious and unrestrained daily life of saving the world. A lazy, good-for-nothing otaku suddenly becomes the head of an empire, and a middle-aged man with a "dad" aura adopts countless little girls. This is the hilarious story of what happens to a certain otaku after he gains a free-meal army that falls from the sky. A serious reminder: this is a very serious and earnest science fiction book…

6 遗 The Mysterious Emblem of the Forgotten Realms 遗忘国度之神秘徽章 Seems Like an Expert貌似高手Gaming1.3M WordsCompleted Yang Hui used to be ruthless, but now he won’t part with a single penny. Though he can no longer see, he can give up his old ways, but he can’t live without the internet. It’s the only way he can earn enough to get by and enjoy the colorful world like everyone else. It even lets his atrophying optic nerves receive long-term stimulation, slowly setting him on the road to recovery. He escapes the treacherous city of Menzoberranzan, crosses the quiet depths of the High Forest, braves the howling wi 0Votes727.6kRecs58.2kFans

Curator note

Once ruthless, now stingy. Yang Hui, blind, can retire from crime, but he cannot live without the internet. Only online can he earn a living, enjoy the vibrant world like everyone else, and even subject his atrophied optic nerves to long-term stimulation, slowly embarking on a path of recovery. Escape the treacherous city of Menzoberranzan, traverse the tranquil and deep High Forest, cross the howling winds of the Icewind Dale, and cross the winding Sword Coast. Of course, Yang Hui's realm also boasts the bustling harbor of Baldur's Gate. But while treasure can be taken, enemies can be killed, and the world can be wandered, can Yang Hui reclaim his lost love and light? All the answers lie in "The Mysterious Emblem of the Forgotten Realms". I have some good news to share: the simplified Chinese version of "The Mysterious Emblem of the Forgotten Realms" will soon be available, published by World Affairs Press. It will be in stock at Xinhua Bookstore in Beijing this Friday, while other provinces and cities will have it next week.

7 师 Legend of the Mecha Master 师士传说 Fang Xiang方想Sci-Fi2.2M WordsCompleted Ye Chong, who grew up on a garbage planet, unexpectedly discovers a battered light armor while scavenging through a junkyard. With the help of this damaged, intelligent light armor, Ye Chong escapes the planet and enters human society. What is the true identity of Mu Shang, the intelligent light armor? What is the truth behind Ye Chong’s origins? How does Ye Chong, whose way of interacting with beasts and beauties is far from ordinary and whose only concern is survival, experience love? How does 2Votes4.5MRecs468.4kFans

Curator note

Ye Zhong, who grew up on a garbage planet, unexpectedly discovered a tattered mech during a "treasure hunt" in a garbage mountain. With the help of this intelligent, albeit damaged, mech, Ye Zhong escaped the garbage planet and entered human society. What is the true identity of the intelligent mech Mu Shang? What is Ye Zhong's background? How does Ye Zhong, who only cares about survival, experience love, given the unconventional communication between a beast and a beauty? How does he gradually become familiar with the unknown society and what role does he play? How does the jungle law, so different from human society, bring about a turning point in his destiny? Possessing a mind as calm as a supercomputer, this young man, a believer in the brutal law of the jungle, learns everything with the frenzy of a sponge, excelling in everything from mastery to combat and training. Every time he appears before others, he is like a shooting star, dazzlingly talented! Passive and active, death and survival, ruthlessness and bewilderment, Ye Zhong's growth experience interprets the journey of a young man's indomitable struggle, and also creates a mysterious legend of a master. In the vast interstellar space, when spaceships and mechs appeared, humanity was once again plunged into that inescapable abyss.

9 紫EN The Legacy of Zichuan 紫川 Old Pig老猪Eastern Fantasy2.3M WordsCompleted Two hundred years ago, on the Lanhe battlefield, the Light Empire’s last legion collapsed amid the demons’ roar, and the empire’s final emperor fell in battle. With no common ruler left on the chaotic Xichuan Continent, warlords rose up and fought for supremacy. Martial strength was the only means of survival, and ruling the world was the dream of generations of powerful warriors. In the southeast of the continent stood a powerful force that had endured for more than two hundred years: the Zichu 8Votes1.7MRecs1.1MFans

Curator note

Two hundred years ago, on the battlefield of the Blue River, the last legion of the Bright Empire collapsed amidst the clamor of the demons, and the empire's last emperor perished in battle. The chaotic Western Continent, without a common ruler, saw numerous heroes rise and fight amongst themselves. Military might became the only means of survival, and dominating the world was the dream of generations of powerful warriors. In the southeast of the continent, there exists a powerful force that has existed for over two centuries—the Zi Chuan family. They fought against the Liu Feng family to the west, resisted the demons to the east, and suppressed the Lin family to the south. For their dream of power, and for the continuation of their family bloodline, countless outstanding figures of Zi Chuan have followed one after another, composing an epic and magnificent history. This story, "Zi Chuan," tells the tragic legend of this family over a century.