The literary era since 1979

September 9, Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Fang Yan and Gong Xing took the train. Although they didn't eat hot pot, they arrived in Shanghai singing songs.

Together with other members of the reception group, including Yoko Suzuki, they stayed in the guesthouse that had been arranged in advance.

In the bedroom, Gong Xing was fiddling with his luggage while saying, "How about we go see our parents tomorrow and then take them to Chedun together?"

Fangyan opened the window and looked at the street view. "Are you going to see the film and television base?"

"Yeah, I don't know what the Chedun Film and Television City you mentioned looks like now."

Gong Xing said that he could also meet Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng on the way, and maybe even run into old acquaintances from the Shanghai Film Studio.

Fang Yan said, "Why don't we go to Chedun the day after tomorrow? I want to go to Wukang Road."

Gong Xing was very curious, and after asking, he found out that he wanted to visit Li Yaotang who lived on Wukang Road.

Fangyan said: "Mr. Wan said that Mr. Ba has been ill recently, and asked me to visit him when I go to Shanghai and bring him good wishes."

Gong Xing showed an understanding smile, and then asked with concern: "Is Ba Gong's illness serious? Is it serious?"

“Parkinson’s syndrome.”

Fang Yan sighed, "Tomorrow you will also accompany me to meet Ba Gong. He is half my teacher."

Gong Xing saw that he looked melancholy, without any joy on his face, and was not at all excited about meeting the legendary Li Yaotang.

I walked silently to his side, gave him a warm hug and said, "Don't worry, everything will be fine." Then I asked, "Do you want me to buy some gifts on the way?"

"I'm all set."

In addition to Fangyan’s own contribution, Wan Jiabao, Shen Shuang, Zhang Guangnian, and even the entire editorial department of People’s Literature also contributed their thoughts.

After all, an old man in the family is like a treasure, and the literary giants who emerged from the Republic of China era are now the faces of the literary world.

…………

The next day, Fang Yan called Li Xiaolin early in the morning and made an appointment with her for a visit.

Gong Xing and his friend went out and went straight home, where they drank tea and chatted with Gong's father and mother, reminiscing about the past, as if they had returned to that carefree time.

During the chat, in addition to talking about their own family's recent situation, they also talked about Gong Ying's situation in the "Dream of Red Mansions" crew.

Gong Xing said: "As soon as the training course is over in November, the roles will be decided."

"Then can Xiaoying be selected?" Gong's mother's tone was full of concern.

Gong Xing and Fang Yan smiled at each other and said, "Maybe I can't play the role of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling, but I can definitely play a role."

"That's good, that's good. It doesn't matter whether the role is big or small, as long as I can act in Dream of the Red Chamber, that's fine!"

As an avid fan of the Dream of the Red Chamber, Mr. Gong held his chin high, not without pride.

Gong's mother became curious and kept asking about the actors who played the Twelve Beauties of Jinling in "Dream of Red Mansions".

"As for this Lin Daiyu, if nothing unexpected happens, it will be Chen Xiaoxu..."

He chose to speak the dialect he could, especially when talking about the twists and turns in the casting of Wang Xifeng. Le Yun, who was originally the most promising actress in the "Dream of Red Mansions" crew, suddenly had to go to Hong Kong to develop her career and had no time to film "Dream of Red Mansions", which disrupted the crew's original arrangements.

Father Gong was furious. "This girl is so stupid! She doesn't even want the chance to play Sister Feng!"

"you do not say."

Fang Yan said: "Director Wang Fulin finally fought for it and replaced her with 'Third Sister You' who didn't have many scenes to play."

"How can Third Sister You compare with Wang Xifeng?"

Mother Gong shook her head: "It's such a pity to ruin such a good future just to go to Hong Kong."

After everyone finished talking about "Dream of the Red Chamber", the topic shifted to the Olympics.

When we got to the dinner table, the show turned into "Once Upon a Time in China". We agreed to go to Chedun together tomorrow to see the film and television base under construction.

"Dad, Mom, we have a deal. We will come to pick you up to Chedun tomorrow." After resting well, Gong Xing held Fangyan's hand and walked towards the door.

"It's still early, sit for a while."

Gong's mother tried to persuade them to stay reluctantly, and Gong's father even hoped that the young couple would just stay overnight in Gong Xing's old room.

"We'll be back tonight!"

Gong Xing blushed and told the truth, then he and Fang Yan left the tube building with their parents watching.

The two of them were carrying large and small bags and were rushing towards Wukang Road without stopping. Passersby slowed down their pace and walked leisurely under the shade of the sycamore trees.

In September, the summer sun shines through the gaps between the leaves of the sycamore tree, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground.

Walking under the sycamore trees, it feels like being in a green tunnel, with the cool breeze blowing on your cheeks, making you feel relaxed and happy.

After a while, a three-story European-style garden house came into view.

After ringing the doorbell, Li Xiaolin walked out of the small western-style building and opened the door.

"Sister Xiaolin!"

Fang Yan exchanged pleasantries with her, then introduced Gong Xing to her so that they could get to know each other.

"Let's not stand here and chat. Come in." Li Xiaolin invited the two to come in.

There is a north auxiliary building opposite the main building, and a south auxiliary building and a garden behind it, which is full of white magnolias.

Fangyan asked, "How is Bagong's health?"

"Oh, it's sometimes good and sometimes bad."

Li Xiaolin sighed and said that Li Yaotang had been suffering from multiple diseases such as high blood pressure and chronic bronchitis. Since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome last year, he has become even more slow in his movements. He has to go to the hospital several times a month for examinations and treatment.

Fang Yan spoke out to comfort them and handed over gifts from himself, Wan Jiabao and others.

"Thank you. Dad is very happy to know you are coming today."

Li Xiaolin brought them to the living room, where they saw a small desk more than two feet long and a wooden armchair in front of the door leading to the balcony.

Li Yaotang was sitting at the table. Parkinson's syndrome made it difficult for him to move and hold a pen. Sometimes it took him several minutes to write a single word. He clearly wanted to write a horizontal or vertical line, but what came out with his hand was not that way.

At this time, people often use their left hand to push their right hand to finish writing a character.

He caught a glimpse of Fang Yan and Gong Xing from the corner of his eye, and said with a kind look, "Here they are. Your mistresses are here. Sit down, sit down."

"Hello, Mr. Ba."

Gong Xue bowed respectfully and greeted him.

"Good good."

Li Yaotang smiled kindly, then frowned and shook his head: "It's good, but it's not good either. Look at me now."

Fangyan immediately said a few words of comfort, and Li Xiaolin also took the opportunity to say: "Just like Yanzi said, you will definitely get better."

"Don't comfort me. I know my own body very well."

Li Yaotang said quietly, "I am ill and have difficulty writing. The hand holding the pen doesn't obey my command... Sometimes, a pen feels as heavy as a thousand pounds in my hand and I can't even hold it. Sometimes, while I am writing, my fingers can't move..."

Compared to the physical pain, the pain of not being able to continue creating is even more painful.

His brows knitted tightly together, and he said unwillingly: "Soldiers are proud to die on the battlefield, but now I can't die with a pen in my hand."

Fang Yan, Li Xiaolin and Gong Xing looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

"You must not be like me and write several novels during your creative peak."

Li Yaotang's face turned from cloudy to sunny, "Have you written anything new recently?" (End of this chapter)