Interview and Reading: The Missionary

Those who have visited my home generally know that there are no formalities here. I don't like wearing masks, and there's no need to read from a script, so we can all drive like a trolley without any rules—speaking freely!

Then I asked Dong, "What brings you back this time?"

Dong replied, "I'll take my mother's [item] back to my hometown, so that I may return to my roots!"

These words carry a touch of sadness.

Hearing this, I didn't hold back at all and blurted out, "What rubbish! Looks like you met me a few days too late! Because you haven't seen my article, 'My Cousin Yin Baoxiong,' where he said before he died, 'That's it! Let me remain here forever beside my children—in this global village!'"

Then his children and grandchildren did as he said—they were buried in the same grave.

It seems Mr. Dong hasn't considered whether we humans have an afterlife! My cousin, on the other hand, believes in it (he is a very, very highly educated person), so he's making arrangements for his own funeral!

Mr. Dong was taken aback by what I said, and he seemed a little confused. His reason was: because everything his father owned was here.

What I really wanted to ask him was: "Where on Earth will your future descendants be? Didn't you realize that as parents, you still want to be with your children and grandchildren? The guardianship of the soul!"

Having said that, let me try a montage approach to my writing, much like filmmaking:

There's another little-known story about Mr. Dong! (I only learned about it later).

Since he left his homeland to pursue his career in a foreign country, he has been working hard and studying diligently.

As Mr. Zhang wrote in his poem: "The grand hall resounds with Carnegie Hall music, the audience gasps in amazement, utterly captivated!"

Yes, he had already begun to show his talent not long ago, but his brilliance was not here, but there!

Mr. Dong Rongcan won first prize in the Mark Brunswick Young Composers Competition in New York in 1989 and 1990, and could have received a substantial prize. However, unexpectedly, he told the organizing committee, "I don't want the prize money; I just want to bring my parents, whom I haven't seen for many years, to see me." This request was deeply moving, and the organizing committee granted his request.

After being separated from him for many years, his parents came to the United States and, seeing his impoverished living conditions, decided to stay and take care of their son. They found a job babysitting many children for female workers in garment factories run by new immigrants from Wenzhou and Fuzhou, in order to supplement their income and support his music creation.

Unfortunately, a year later, a disaster struck. On October 7, 1991, the World Journal in New York published a headline in bold on its local front page: "Two elderly people, one dead and one seriously injured, after crossing the road on a slippery rainy day." It turned out that Dong Rongcan's mother had been in a serious car accident.

He rushed to the hospital, collapsing in tears onto his severely injured and unconscious mother: "Mom, I'm so sorry! Once you're better, we won't stay in America anymore; I'll take you back to China."

His mother was in a coma for three whole days, and he stayed by her side for three days and three nights, witnessing countless scenes of life and death in the hospital. After much agonizing reflection, he developed an unprecedentedly strong desire to hold a solo concert of his works in American society, and then change careers.

What's touching is that despite experiencing such hardships in life and the misfortunes of his loved ones, Dong Rongcan did not succumb to despair. Instead, he remained steadfast in his personal beliefs and continued to pursue his career!

At this point, I need to take a breath and speak for myself: the filial piety of Eastern cultures can still move Westerners! However, our nation remains backward and impoverished! Is there right or wrong, good or bad here? Only heaven can answer that! A follower of mine said, "He's just naturally gifted, blessed by God, amazing!"

Of course, for Mr. Dong, such a price was a bit too high! The problem here is a social issue, and the question to ask is: "Why did you resolutely turn your back and leave this place? Have you thought about it?" Of course, through this life script, an artist was later added to the story, expressing his love for his parents. This is a virtue of being a good person, and even God was moved!

I also recalled another scene: after a dinner party, Kong Xiangdong playfully asked his host, Chen Xiaoyuan, for a bag of Huangshan mini pancakes, saying, "I want to take them home for my mother!"

On that day, I think Kong Xiangdong's action was more beautiful than any piece of music he played that day! Because it was not pretentious.

Similarly, Mr. Dong later composed a song called "A Song Dedicated to Mothers All Over the World," which is so beautiful!

Your mother might be thinking the same thing over there! Yes! I wonder if she'll need an embassy visa to visit you in the future; otherwise, wouldn't everything be unnecessary?

My thoughts have returned, and I asked Dong, "What did you compose?"

No, in fact I'd really like to see if artists still retain a childlike heart, a quirky personality, or the habitual characteristics of their profession.

As it turned out, I actually managed to lure him out. That day at my house, he sang an old song from 1954 with me. In the midst of our excitement, I even saw him tapping his foot to the beat! That's what a musician with a knack for rhythm looks like. And that's how I got to know him better.

The song I chose that day was because I remembered a quote from Mr. Wu Yili: "Music is not only for showing off talent, but also for changing lives."

Here we should pay tribute to true artists! (Part 2)

(End of article)