Chapter 60: Explore the wilderness while you're still young, fearing the end of the year and cherishing the joy you have now
The days in Taiwan were filled with profound emotions. Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue had originally planned to leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival, but only returned to New York after Double Tenth Day, promising the soldiers that they would visit Taiwan often. They were preparing to attend Sun Xu's wedding, scheduled for Christmas.
Sun Xu, in his early thirties, was mature, steady, shrewd, and capable. During Luo Guoyun's absence, he had been entrusted with most of the affairs at the Moren Consortium headquarters. After Double Tenth Day, Sun Xu called from New York to discuss their marriage.
Sun Xu said that since the three-year mourning period for his father hadn't yet been completed, it wasn't appropriate to discuss marriage. His fiancée, a Harvard classmate a year his senior, was already pregnant, and they wanted to get engaged first, then officially marry next year. However, Xiao Xiangyue felt that her elder brother was a generous man, not particularly particular about formalities during his lifetime, and he would surely want to see Xu'er live a happy and fulfilling life. In two months, it would be the second anniversary of her elder brother's death. Why not schedule the wedding for that day? He would surely be pleased in the afterlife.
Luo Guyun knew Xiao Xiangyue's thoughts very well. Sun Xu's wedding was not just a wedding, but also a commemoration of the deceased. He deliberately wanted to make the wedding grand and solemn to comfort Xiao Xiangyue's longing for Sun Mu.
Although the wedding date was set somewhat hastily, more money means more things can be done. The Moren Group dispatched its best and brightest to oversee the wedding preparations and finalize every intricate detail. Sun Mu's wedding in Shanghai was already considered extravagant and grand, but this wedding was truly the wedding of the century. The bride's wedding dress was custom-made by a top Parisian designer, adorned with hand-sewn pearls, Swarovski crystals, and more. The dress alone was worth millions. The strength of the Moren Group is undeniable, and Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue possess top-tier connections and resources. Then-U.S. Vice President Hubert officiated, and dignitaries from various countries, world-renowned A-list celebrities, business tycoons from various industries, and masters of the cultural and artistic world all appeared in attendance.
Security was tight at the wedding, and no unauthorized photography was permitted. With Sun Mu no longer around, Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue took on the role of headmistress, accompanying the bride and groom to greet guests. Although both were in their fifties, their skin had lost the firmness of their youth, and wrinkles appeared on their foreheads. But their demeanor remained unchanged. Luo Guyun, shaped by years of martial arts training, had a flawless figure, while Xiao Xiangyue's every move exuded elegance and refinement.
Xiao Xiangyue hadn't appeared in public for a long time. Among the thousands of guests were many of his fans, some asking for autographs and photos. Yi Shui, Yi Han, and the others laughed at him for stealing the bride's limelight, but eventually they obediently sat in the seats reserved for the groom's parents. Looking at everything before them, recalling Sun Mu's wedding in Shanghai over thirty years ago, she felt a mixture of excitement and emotion.
It was already late at night when the guests had all left. For the two of them, organizing this wedding felt like completing a major event in their lives, and they were extremely pleased. Back in their residence on the top floor, Xiao Xiangyue noticed that Luo Guyun was a little quiet, so she hurried over and asked, "Brother, what's wrong? Are you too tired?"
Luo Guyun grabbed his shoulders and fell on the big bed together: "Yue'er has worked hard today, let's lie down and talk... Seeing that the weddings of big brother, Ban Deng, and Xu'er were so grand. In comparison, when we got married, our wedding was really shabby! Brother feels that Yue'er has been wronged..."
Xiao Xiangyue stroked his face, "Yue'er knows that brother always wants to bring the best to me! But weddings are for others to see, so why should we be so bound by the formality? At weddings like that, the newlyweds either spin around like a top or act like a puppet. It's exhausting just watching!"
Luo Guoyun nodded: "Well... I have always felt that love is a matter between two people. It is a bit hypocritical to say solemn words in front of irrelevant people..."
Xiao Xiangyue frowned: "It's just... Yue'er also feels that something has wronged her brother..."
Luo Guyun asked curiously, "What's the matter?"
"Yue'er likes to go to the market, so brother accompanies me to visit markets all over the world! Brother likes outdoor adventures and various extreme sports, but he has sacrificed a lot for Yue'er's health...Hasn't brother always wanted to climb Mount Everest or go to Antarctica? Yue'er now feels much stronger than when she was young. Why not do all these things with you that we want to do but have never realized while there is still time! It would be a pity if we wait until we are in our seventies or eighties and can't walk anymore..." Xiao Xiangyue was particularly happy today and said a lot in one breath.
Luo Guyun said happily, "Great! Yue'er is interested in outdoor adventures, that's great! But Brother Sun said that Yue'er's lungs would be in danger if she went to high altitude areas. Forget climbing snow-capped mountains... Prince Wilson recently formed an expedition team and asked me to explore the ice caves in Iceland. We can go together!"
The next few years were filled with excitement for Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue. They spent much of the year exploring the world's corners. They hiked in the Amazon, following local guides through the pristine rainforest; ice camped on the Antarctic Peninsula; kayaked through fjords and waterfalls in Norway; rafted on the Nile; caving in Mexico; and stargazing in the desert in a four-wheel drive vehicle across the Namibian desert.
To ensure Xiao Xiangyue's absolute safety, Luo Guoyun prepared a thorough plan for every outdoor adventure. It included food supplies, specialized equipment, experienced guides, logistical support, a medical team, and emergency rescue plans... The plan was incredibly detailed, ensuring nothing could go wrong. Later, they even used the most advanced satellite phone at the time. Xiao Xiangyue's health was also very good, allowing him to accompany Luo Guoyun throughout the entire expedition. The only exception was deep-sea diving, which he couldn't participate in due to a lung deformity. Later, the two of them went snorkeling in the Maldives together, which finally gave him a chance to indulge his diving addiction...
Yi Shui, Yi Han, and the others envied them. They were already over fifty, yet still so vigorous! We just didn't have the energy... Luo Guyun always said, "Yue'er had endured all sorts of hardships in the first half of her life. She's finally settled down these past few years. Now's the time to go crazy and do whatever you want without regrets. It's just a shame that technology isn't advanced enough yet. If humans could travel into space, Yue'er and I would go too!"
On their trip to Namibia, the Bench couple, the Brooke brothers, and Princesses Paul and Bena joined them. Led by Prince Wilson and Luo Guoyun, and guided by local Himba guides, the expedition of more than 20 people spent over ten days traversing the ancient Namib Desert. While the journey was arduous, they also witnessed breathtaking views rarely seen in this world.
Wherever they went, every evening, a helicopter would hover overhead, dropping a basket filled with nourishing, nourishing meals. There were delicious soups made with ophiopogon japonicus and polygonatum, sweet soups with white fungus, snow pear, and lily bulbs, and porridges made with American ginseng, camel milk, and millet... The desert was arid and harsh, with a dramatic temperature swing between day and night. Fearing Xiao Xiangyue might not be able to withstand it, Luo Guyun had prepared a comprehensive plan before setting off. Every day, the helicopter flew hundreds of kilometers deep into the desert, delivering nutritious meals.
Luo Guoyun's meticulous care for Xiao Xiangyue was already commonplace. Catherine smiled and said, "That story about the Chinese concubine Litchi... is quite fitting!"
Ban Bench said, "Madam, what you said is 'A horse gallops through the dusty streets, and the concubine smiles, but no one knows it's the lychees coming'? How can that be compared? The old emperor's love is all fake, and at the critical moment, he still sacrifices the concubine to protect himself! Our general and Yue'er, I dare to bet a hundred times that in a life-or-death situation, both will sacrifice themselves first to save the other! Of course... at the critical moment, Ban Bench will also sacrifice his life to protect my dear..."
As night fell, everyone gathered around a campfire, listening to the guide recount how the Himba people sought water in this sea of sand, and the legend of an ancient caravan lost on the Skeleton Coast. The darkness was profound, and the flickering light of the fire on everyone's face added to the mysterious atmosphere.
Xiao Xiangyue beat out primitive rhythms with African drums and played the guitar, mixing folk songs with drum beats. Everyone gathered around the campfire to barbecue, drink heartily and dance happily.
It was late at night. Luo Guyun wrapped Xiao Xiangyue in a thick woolen blanket. The two of them lay on the sand, looking up at the Milky Way that stretched across the sky like a diamond-studded ribbon.
"Thank you, brother."
"Thank you, Yue'er."
They said it almost at the same time. They both laughed... Luo Guyun kissed his cheek lightly: "What are you thanking me for, Yue'er?"
"Thank you, brother, for letting Yue'er feel that life on earth is worthwhile." Xiao Xiangyue said softly.
In 1975, when Chairman Mao died, Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue returned to Taiwan to attend his funeral and stayed there for over a year. The Yunyue Foundation established a "Veterans Relief Fund" in Taiwan. Retired soldiers and their families facing financial hardship and lacking income receive an additional monthly subsidy. Since the housing in military dependents' villages across the country was largely dilapidated, the foundation donated funds to rebuild the homes for the soldiers, personally selecting sites and deciding on architectural styles, a task that was very busy for a while.
At the end of 1976, Jin Er received a call from Japan, announcing the passing of the 100-year-old Venerable Kong Neng. The two of them flew directly from Taiwan to Japan to pay their respects to the Venerable and attend the memorial service.
The old house in Kobe remains.
Jin Er married the old housekeeper's daughter, Sachiko, without a wedding. Their son, Watanabe Takuma, was already five years old, and the Watanabe family finally had a successor. Jin Er and Xiao Xiangyue last met at Sun Xu's wedding. After nearly a decade apart, they were thrilled to see each other again. They hugged each other tightly, complaining, "Xiangyue, you're so carefree! You and the general are truly like a couple in heaven! It's so hard for us mortals to see you..."
Before they could rest, the two went to pay their respects to Master Kongneng. Jiner led them to the back mountain, saying as they walked, "Jiner has one more thing to tell you... The day before yesterday, Master Kongneng passed away. Mr. Yoshino Takashi, who had been practicing with him, followed him. In his last words, he said that God allowed him to live on so that he could reveal the truth to the world. Now that the master is gone, he has no ties to this world and no reason to live anymore. He deserves death for the crimes he committed against Xiangyue, and I do not ask for your forgiveness. I only hope that you can agree to have his tablet at the memorial service to liberate his soul and cleanse his sins... I wonder what Xiangyue and the general think?"
Xiao Xiangyue said nothing and just looked at Luo Guyun.
Luo Guoyun, now in his sixties, had hair tinged with white, but it was still thick and his posture remained upright. His every move exuded the natural majesty of a superior, and he exuded a powerful aura.
Luo Guyun took his hand and sighed, "Brother, you understand what Yue'er means... As the Buddha said, if you let go of a thought, you will be free. Tolerance is the boat that takes you ashore. Let all the grudges and hatred dissipate like smoke..."
Next to the ditch where Xiao Xiangyue fell in the back mountains of Liujia, a temple with red walls and black tiles has been erected on flat ground. A plaque reads "Kongneng Temple." A memorial service for Master Kongneng was held there.
Luo Guoyun had once kowtowed here to thank the various deities for protecting Yue'er, and vowed to build a temple and burn incense offerings. He believed he could not lie before the Bodhisattvas. Later, during the Crescent Moon's global voyage, he commissioned Master Kongneng to build "Kongneng Temple," modeled after the ancient Tang Dynasty Jueyuan Temple. However, even after its completion, Xiao Xiangyue had never seen it... Having never seen it doesn't mean he had never been there. During his coma, Luo Guoyun had brought him here, staying in the hot springs for a while, chanting sutras and praying with Master Kongneng at the temple every day.
Xiao Xiangyue stroked the exquisite and ancient pillars on both sides of the corridor and exclaimed: "This carving, this layout, is exactly the same as that of Jueyuan Temple!" Luo Guyun said: "You know what, this temple is really magical! Not long after we went back that year, Yue'er really woke up..." Xiao Xiangyue hesitated: "Master Kongneng saved my life several times. Yue'er wants to live in this temple for a while and keep vigil for him..."
"Of course, brother will accompany Yue'er! When building the temple, we thought that Yue'er might want to come and stay for a few days, so the guest rooms are fully equipped with floor heating and air conditioning..." Luo Guyun said hurriedly.
On the eve of Xiao Xiangyue's 60th birthday, he met someone he had been thinking about for decades, Dongdong, Ye Dongliang.
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Tiannian Conservatory of Music moved back to Shanghai, with Ye Dongliang serving as its president. He could have gone to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or even the United States that year. However, he felt the best way to repay his brother Yue'er was to continue the development of the Tiannian Conservatory of Music, which he had funded, and so he resolutely decided to remain in China.
The Moren Consortium's intelligence network has always been omnipresent. Although the brothers were overseas, they were well-informed about the situation on the mainland. With the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, they accelerated their efforts to connect with mainland China. Dongliang had been labeled a rightist a few years earlier and sent to work on a farm in Xinjiang for many years, only to be rehabilitated and return to Shanghai just before the Spring Festival. Yi Han immediately sent someone from Hong Kong to contact him, and brought Dongliang to New York just before Xiao Xiangyue's birthday.
Xiao Xiangyue was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing her old friend, and she blamed Luo Guyun for keeping him in the dark once again. Luo Guyun cried out in injustice, "This was Second Brother's idea! First, everyone wanted to give Yue'er a surprise, and second, China and the United States hadn't established diplomatic relations yet, so Dongliang's journey to the US was very complicated, and he had to go through many tricks to get a visa. If I had told you in advance, and you didn't come, Yue'er would have been so disappointed..."
Dongliang had no time to adjust to the jet lag. After arriving at the Moren Building from the airport, he recounted his experiences with Xiao Xiangyue in detail in the clubhouse, decades after their separation. He pulled out a photo of their family of five and explained how, after liberation, he had married a student at the conservatory and had three children. Despite the persecution he endured, his wife had remained loyal, and now they had finally made it through. He also explained that China would resume the Gaokao next year, and that the Tiannian Conservatory of Music planned to recruit students nationwide. He had resumed his position as president and vowed to make the conservatory a leading music institution in China. His eldest son also loved music and planned to apply to the Tiannian Conservatory...
Xiao Xiangyue stroked the photo, feeling both emotional and happy: "The Tiannian Conservatory of Music also has the hard work of Senior Brother. Let's go to the hospital to visit Senior Brother tomorrow and tell him the good news as soon as possible..."
It was late at night. Luo Guyun, who was chatting with Yi Han, Sun Xu, and others, saw that Xiao Xiangyue was too excited to sleep, so he pulled him aside and said, "Dongliang just arrived, let him adjust to the time difference. Yue'er should also have a good sleep. It won't be too late to visit Senior Brother the day after tomorrow..."
Lu Hankun, twenty years older than Xiao Xiangyue, had always lived alone. His health had deteriorated since he turned eighty. He had previously lived in Grove Manor in Beverly Hills, cared for by an assistant. After the Spring Festival, he caught a cold, and his condition worsened. Worried about him, Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue brought him to New York, where he was admitted to Dr. Jefferson's private hospital.
Before the next day, they received a call from Qin Ling saying that Lu Hankun was in critical condition. Luo Guoyun, Xiao Xiangyue and others rushed to the hospital overnight.
Although extremely weak, Lu Hankun remained conscious. He told the two men sitting beside his bed, "My eldest brother will not live long! When I am a hundred years old, General and Junior Brother must bring my ashes back to Shanghai and scatter them in the Huangpu River..."
Xiao Xiangyue held his skinny hand and comforted him: "Don't say that, Senior Brother. Medical technology is advanced now. When you get better, we will go back to Shanghai together..."
Lu Hankun smiled bitterly: "I'm afraid that senior brother won't be able to wait for that day..."
Luo Guyun said, "We understand Senior Brother's wish to return to his roots. However, scattering his ashes in the Huangpu River seems inappropriate. Where can we place our grief? Senior Brother is from Shanghai. A hundred years from now, Yue'er and I will choose a beautiful place on the outskirts of Shanghai and build a mausoleum for him, so that he can rest in peace in his hometown. Is that okay?"
Lu Hankun slowly shook his head: "There are some things I don't want to mention again in this life, but you know that if I don't explain it clearly, you will never agree to scatter my ashes into the Huangpu River..."
In the quiet ward, the regular ticking of the monitor seemed to be a reminder of the countdown. Lu Hankun's hoarse and weak voice slowly said:
I was an orphan, raised by my master. We were nominally master and apprentice, but in reality, we were his adopted son. When I was fifteen, my master and his uncle, Xiao, returned to Yangzhou to start an opera troupe. I was left alone in Shanghai, with no one to turn to. I made a living playing accompaniment in the Paramount Ballroom. There, I met Qiluo, a prostitute a dozen years my senior.
Her surname was Luo, and Qiluo was her stage name. She was already a very popular dancer at the time. She was a skilled painter and had great artistic talent, but her family's decline led her to prostitution.
She was very kind to me. In the eyes of others, others supported her, but she supported me, using the dirty money she earned to pay for a little bastard like me. Later, when I had the idea of opening a film company, she strongly supported me. She placed all her unfulfilled artistic dreams on me. The name of the company was Tianqi Film Company. Tian was to commemorate the teacher's kindness in raising me, and Qi was her name. I was a poor boy with no background, but I was able to open such a large film company in Shanghai thanks to her unwavering support. She was chivalrous and righteous. Although she was a woman, she was a man among women. Whenever the sisters in the world of prostitution were in trouble, they would turn to her for help. I couldn't tell whether her feelings for me were love, family affection, or a sincere friendship. To raise funds for my film company, she worked hard to take on clients, flirting with all kinds of men, and gave me all the money she earned.
Tianqi Film Company prospered, producing numerous excellent films and becoming the leading film company in China at the time. Shanghai was a chaotic city, rife with gangsters, and Tianqi's rise to prominence also irked some competitors. Tabloids alleged that the company's proprietress was a prostitute, tarnishing the elegance of film and unworthy of any awards. They also published semi-nude photos of her with cigarette burns on her breasts, revealing numerous unsavory past events.
I felt sorry for her and said we shouldn't start a company or make movies anymore. We should just hide away somewhere quiet, or go abroad, and live a quiet life. I didn't care about her past. I wanted to marry her officially, and we would have a decent life together...
It was a rainy late autumn night. She left me a letter, saying she would always be a plaything for others to amuse themselves, a shadow that should never be seen in the light. She was old and faded, no longer worthy of me. She didn't want to be my weakness, didn't want to be an obstacle to my progress. She didn't want me to be the target of perpetual attacks in the treacherous business world because of her. She knew I couldn't let her go, and if she didn't end her life, she would always be a stain and a burden on me. So she resolutely chose to throw herself into the surging Huangpu River...
I was too selfish, too greedy. If I had let her go, she wouldn't have died. I wanted her money, her body, and her heart. Little did I know she'd already been overwhelmed by the burden. She endured all the humiliation and self-deprecation alone, leaving me to live in this murky world. She was forty-six when she passed away. I went from a naive fifteen-year-old to a rising star in the film industry at thirty-three, a full eighteen years of bondage. She taught me how to navigate the treacherous world of business and allowed me to hold my own. After she left, I indulged myself for a while, devoting myself to sensual pleasures and dating various female celebrities. But I know I can never fall in love with anyone else; my heart is with her. One day, I will be with her in the Huangpu River... After two days, Lu Hankun succumbed to his illness and passed away.
The brilliant Lu Hankun was considered one of the leading Chinese filmmakers abroad. His funeral was held in Los Angeles, with most of Hollywood's stars in attendance. Xiao Xiangyue personally carried the urn off the plane. Luo Guyun supported him along the way, whispering, "What is love in this world? It's what makes people pledge their lives to each other? The three of you, master and disciple, are all passionate... Uncle and Senior Brother wasted their lives, and Yue'er will make them happy..."
Not long after Lu Hankun's funeral was over, a call arrived from France: Eck, then ninety-one, had passed away in Paris. Luo Guoyun and Xiao Xiangyue traveled to Paris to attend the grand funeral held for him by the European Music Association. Mrs. Daisy was bedridden. After Eck's funeral, the couple stayed in Stockholm, accompanying her during her final months. In the autumn of 1978, Mrs. Daisy also passed away at the age of eighty.
Having lost three close friends and family members in the space of just over a year, Xiao Xiangyue was inevitably depressed. The ashes of her elder brother, Sun Dafeng, and her eldest senior brother were stored in a church, awaiting their return. Luo Guoyun did everything he could to comfort him and intensified his ties with mainland China, planning a visit soon.
At the end of 1978, Li Erhu was rehabilitated and appointed Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China cordially invited Luo Guoyun to return. The Chinese music community also sent letters sincerely inviting Xiao Xiangyue to return for an academic visit, and her return trip was finally approaching.
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