When Zhang Ruifang is mentioned, people will associate her with the movie "Li Shuangshuang". The success of this film made her famous, winning the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress, and became one of the "Four Famous Dans" at that time.
Stills from "Li Shuangshuang"
In the movie, her comedic image of a hot and straight-talking personality is deeply rooted in people's hearts, but in the real world, she is emotionally twisted and turned.
The world knows that she has gone through three marriages, but she has not been able to grow old, and she has never been able to forget her first love, which has made her firmly in her heart for seventy years.
About Zhang Ruifang's first love, Zheng Zenghu, she rarely mentions it to outsiders, perhaps the white moonlight of the past has gradually become a cinnabar mole in her heart. It was not until the time of her death that she made this young love public.
In 1935, at the age of 17, Zhang Ruifang was admitted to the Beiping National Art College to major in Western painting, hoping to continue her father's unfinished career, use her paintings to awaken the consciousness of the Chinese people, and do her part for the independence of the nation.
Her father, Zhang Ji, was an artillery instructor at the Army University and served as the commander-in-chief of artillery in the Northern Expedition. When Zhang Ruifang was ten years old, Zhang Gene was heroic and righteous in order to command the defeat in battle.
Her father's death, like a flame, was buried deep in her heart.
Zhang Ruifang and her parents
In 1935, the North China Incident, when she saw the bloody photos in the newspapers, her compatriots lying in a pool of blood one by one, her tears swirling in her eyes, she clenched her teeth fiercely, as if she wanted to crush them. Rushing into the studio to paint all the enemy's deeds, and also melting her hatred into the painting, just as her thoughts were gushing, there was a clanging sound from downstairs, disturbing her from concentrating on her creation.
She rushed downstairs to the classroom, and just as she was about to hold the man accountable, she found a boy in a white shirt sweating profusely banging on a piece of wood, and for a moment she could see God.
This boy is Zheng Zenghu.
Zhang Ruifang
Zheng Zenghu noticed the woman standing outside the door and stepped forward: "I'm really sorry that I didn't argue with you." ”
In the face of the other party's question, Zhang Ruifang actually blushed a little, and she hurriedly said: "No, no, I just overheard the voice and came to see." ”
The boy smiled slightly.
"Hello, my name is Zheng Zenghu, from the Sculpture Department."
"Hello, my name is Zhang Ruifang, I am from the Department of Western Painting, and my studio is upstairs from you."
Since then, the two have gradually become acquainted, and when it comes to eating, Zhang Ruifang will use her high heels to stomp on the ground a few times. Zheng Zenghu, who received the hint, would put down the matter at hand and go to the restaurant with Zhang Ruifang, who was waiting for him in the corridor.
They share their creative inspiration with each other, talk about their dreams, and the two hearts that love art are slowly approaching.
Soon, the Peking National Art College set off a wave of students, and in order to overthrow the old principal, the students elected Zhang Ruifang and Zheng Zenghu as representatives to negotiate with the school.
Zheng Zenghu's speech made Zhang Ruifang more certain that he was a like-minded partner with him.
After school, Zheng Zenghu would send him home first and then turn around. The two also often go out on outings together.
Zhang Ruifang's mother also jokingly said: "Just wait until you graduate and get married." ”
Zhang Ruifang will always remember that relaxed and happy day.
Later, Zhang Ruifang joined the "Aimei Theater Troupe" through the recommendation of a friend and began to appear in patriotic dramas.
In the July 7 Incident in 1937, in the face of the ruthless pro-dination and killing of the Japanese, she joined the "National Vanguard" full of patriotic enthusiasm and was transferred to Chongqing according to the arrangements of her superiors.
Before leaving, she met with Zheng Zenghu: "I am about to go to Chongqing, to devote myself to the anti-Japanese movement to save the dead, to complete our common ideals, do you want to go with me?" ”
Zheng Zenghu nodded affirmatively.
They met at the dock three days later and took a boat to Chongqing together at the right time.
When it was time to meet, Zhang Ruifang at the dock could not wait for him, so he had to rush to Chongqing alone.
Later, Zheng Zenghu wrote: "Dear Ruifang, I had already decided to go to Chongqing with you to fulfill our ideals together, but I did not want to go to the day I was found by my parents and forcibly locked in my home. In the end, I can't be with you. ”
Zhang Ruifang, 19, separated from Zheng Zenghu, one in Chongqing devoted himself to anti-Japanese patriotic propaganda and the other in Beiping.
Zhang Ruifang stills
At first, the two had been exchanging letters, but over time, Zheng Zenghu went to the United States to study under the arrangement of his parents, and the two have since broken off contact.
In 1939, at the age of 21, Zhang Ruifang went with the China Drama Art Society to a private girls' middle school in Beiping to rehearse the play "Heart Sick", and met her first husband, director Yu Keji.
As early as 1937, Yu Keji founded the Roar Drama Society in Chongqing and directed the patriotic drama "Defending the Lugou Bridge", and the slogan of "Down with Japanese imperialism" awakened the Chinese people who were still indulging in a comfortable life.
During the rehearsal of the play, Yu Keji often talked to Zhang Ruifang alone. She was attracted by his creative talent, and with the success of the drama "Heart Sick", the relationship between the two gradually warmed up and walked together.
When Zheng Zenghu returned to China to see her first love, she was already married. Two years later, under the pressure of his parents, he also married someone else.
"Years and Years of Affection : Zhang Ruifang's Memoirs" mentioned: "I have never met his wife, but I heard from my friends that she looked a bit like me. ”
Golden Mountain
After marriage, Zhang Ruifang and Yu Keji threw themselves into the promotion of patriotic dramas together, they are like-minded partners, but they are not lovers who can accompany each other after all.
In his later years, Zhang Ruifang recalled his marriage with Yu Keji and said: "He put all his enthusiasm and effort into drama creation, when I discussed drama with him, he was like a fire, incomparably hot, but we hardly had any communication except for drama, and he was like a piece of ice in life, how to cover it was not hot." ”
Zhang Ruifang, who ran into a wall in marriage, ushered in a new development in her career.
She was invited by Guo Moruo to play the role of Chan Juan in the historical drama "Qu Yuan". Got to know the romantic "drama emperor" Jinshan.
At this time, Jin Shan had just broken up with Wang Ying and was in a period of lost love. Emotionally rich and delicate, Jin shan soon fell into the role of Qu Yuan, and fell hopelessly in love with Zhang Ruifang, who unabashedly expressed his heart to Zhang Ruifang.
As a married woman, Zhang Ruifang is deliberately estranged from Jinshan and wants to get rid of this emotion that should not exist.
It happened that Zhang Ruifang's sister was pregnant and living in her home, and she was busy performing and had no time to accompany her sister, and when she was close to giving birth, he asked her husband: "We must take good care of my sister." ”
Zhang Ruifang and her family
One day, she came home from rehearsal and found that her sister was missing, so she asked her husband why. Yu Keji told her: "My sister is a little uncomfortable, and she called a car to go to the hospital."
She scolded loudly: "How can you let your sister go to the hospital alone?" She could have been going to give birth at any moment."
She hurried to the hospital, and sure enough, her sister had difficulty giving birth, but fortunately the driver delivered it in time to save the child.
Because of her sister's affairs, she has always complained about her husband in her heart, but because of her identity, the two have maintained a marriage relationship.
Until one time she saw a letter from her mother, which read: "My young brother died of malaria. When she heard the news, she cried bitterly, and her husband on the side only replied with an "Oh" after asking.
A cold word shattered the last glimmer of hope in her heart. Maybe she never really got into his heart.
In 1945, Zhang Ruifang and Yu Keji divorced.
Maybe fate loves to fool people. She was single again, but he was a husband and a father.
After Jinshan learned the news of Zhang Ruifang's divorce, his pursuit of Zhang Ruifang was more enthusiastic.
She liked to watch movies, so he invited her to join her, took her to the dance hall, and introduced his friends to her. But these were all rejected by Zhang Ruifang. She thought about leaving, wanting to get out of her current situation and mentality and start a new life in another place.
As much as she could feel, the man was struggling to fit into her life.
Zhang Ruifang and Jinshan
Unexpectedly, Jinshan found Zheng Zenghu as a lobbyist: "Jinshan is a person with warm emotions, and he has also been emotionally hurt like you." His nature is once trapped in love, he will devote himself wholeheartedly to it, and if you also have feelings for him, it is better to complete each other. ”
At this time, Zhang Ruifang's eyes were full of tears. He's already put it down, and I can't put it down.
Under the persuasion of Zheng Zenghu, she no longer hid from Jinshan everywhere.
At the end of the day's rehearsal, Jinshan stopped her from turning around and leaving: "Let's find a quiet place to talk." ”
The two men came to the stairwell at the end of the corridor.
"I saw you that night and I liked you, not only because I was obsessed with the feeling of being with you, but because we shared our beliefs."
Zhang Ruifang was shocked to hear this, as early as 1938 she had joined the Communist Party of China, and as a disciple of Du Yuesheng, he was naturally her own comrade.
The two married under the witness of Du Yuesheng. Zheng Zenghu saw that Zhang Ruifang had a person who loved her and protected her, so he went to Taiwan to work with confidence.
After marriage, Jinshan gave Zhang Ruifang meticulous care.
When shopping, when you see beautiful jewelry, you will carefully help her try them on, and you will praise her loudly. Bring her gifts on every business trip.
Under the care and companionship of Jinshan, the wounds in her heart gradually healed.
It is said that the seven-year itch, with the passage of time, the feelings of the two gradually returned to flat, but Jinshan is a person who needs emotional watering, he is born for romance.
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, she entered the China Youth Art Theater in Beijing with Jinshan. He also participated in the performance of the play "Paul Kochakin", directed by Sun Weishi, a female student who had just returned from the Soviet Union.
Sun Weishi
With the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, a series of anti-war dramas promoting patriotism began to be prepared.
In 1951, the director of "Southern Expedition and Northern War" approached Zhang Ruifang and hoped that she would play the role of female guerrilla leader Zhao Yumin. After getting the script, she was pleasantly surprised to find out that this was not exactly what I wanted to be? He quickly agreed to the invitation.
In order to be able to portray this role, she packed her bags and went to the countryside to live for eight months. Every day, I learned to weave straw shoes and the soles of the peasant women in the village, and even the director said, "Isn't this our female guerrilla leader?" ”
These eight months have made her career successful, and also given people with hearts an opportunity to take advantage of it.
After she returned from the crew, she found that her husband and Sun Weishi were intimate and had an abnormal relationship. In the face of Jinshan's derailment, Zhang Ruifang chose to quit, and the two went through divorce procedures.
In 1956, Zhang Ruifang starred in Ba Jin's drama "Home", playing Jue Xin's wife Rui Jue, when she faced Jue Xin and Mei and said the line "I am willing to fulfill you", she suddenly seemed to understand the feelings of Jin Shan and Sun Weishi.
Stills from "Home"
Zhang Ruifang, who has experienced two failed marriages, left Beijing for Shanghai and met his third husband, Yan Li.
Zhang Ruifang, who had just arrived at the Shanghai Film Studio, was uncomfortable with many things, and she didn't know how to take care of herself when she was busy with work.
There happened to be a couple living not far from the factory, because they had to take care of the children, they specially invited an aunt to cook, and many "single sticks" in the factory were there to pack rice. Gradually, Zhang Ruifang and Yan Li became long-term friends.
After digging deeper, she found that although Yan Li was not good-looking, he was also extremely talented.
He used to be a screenwriter, has his own opinions on acting, likes to draw, and writes well, he is also very affinity, and more importantly, he and Zheng Zenghu look a little similar.
Zhang Ruifang and Yan Li
Her friend Qin Yi once advised her: "It is not okay to always be such a person, and you will not take care of yourself, or find someone who knows you." ”
Friends have suggested that you can consider strict encouragement.
At this time, Zhang Ruifang does not want to pursue any hot love, but only wants to live a stable and steady life and play every role well.
Yan Li is the director of the Shanghai Film Studio, an honest and thick middle-aged man. He is not as cold as Yu Keji, nor is he as affectionate as Jinshan, and he is a man suitable for life.
Brokered by friends, the two decided to marry on October Revolution Day.
Photo of Zhang Ruifang and his friends at the film studio
The wedding day coincided with Zhang Ruifang's invitation to receive a Sino-Soviet friendship party. After deliberating, the two decided to go to the party first, and then get married after returning.
Here, the Sino-Soviet friendship party was solemnly held, people sang and danced, and on the other side, they strictly arranged the affairs of the wedding.
In the middle of the party, Zhang Ruifang proposed to leave early, and her friends stopped her: "You can't leave, there are still many foreign guests waiting in line to dance with you?" ”
"Can't help but go, I'm married today."
"Ah! You're married, so let's go."
The couple's wedding ended in a frolicking scene.
In 1987, Zheng Zenghu returned to the mainland from Taiwan to visit relatives, and after returning to China, he first found Jinshan to inquire about Zhang Ruifang's news, but heard the news that Jinshan was empathetic and divorced. He rebuked Jinshan.
After many inquiries, I found Zhang Ruifang in Shanghai.
He looked at the woman in front of him, and his heart was angry and painful.
One day, Zheng Zenghu came to Zhang Ruifang's house as a guest, and as soon as he entered the door, he excitedly shook Yan Li's hand: "Thank you for taking care of her and giving her happiness." ”
Yan Li smiled and said, "Ruifang is my wife, and I naturally have to take care of it." ”
Zheng Zenghu realized his gaffe and quickly withdrew his hand.
Two seventy-year-old men, who were already old, talked happily at first sight.
For Zheng Zenghu, Zhang Ruifang changed from white moonlight to his cinnabar mole, and now he only hopes that she can live happily and healthily.
None of them expected that this meeting would be the last.
In his later years, Zhang Ruifang
Every Spring Festival since then, Zheng Zenghu will call her for the first time to inquire about her life and physical condition.
Every once in a while, several new Taiwanese clothes were sent to her and Yan Li, and surprisingly, the clothes sent were surprisingly fit.
Suddenly, one year during the Spring Festival, Zhang Ruifang received a call from Zheng Zenghu as usual, but there was only a cry from the other end of the phone, and her heart clucked.
After inquiring, I learned that Zheng Zenghu could no longer speak because of a stroke, and he would never hear his words again: "Are you okay in Shanghai?" ”
Zhang Ruifang's tears fell like rain.
In 1999, her husband Yan Li died of illness. Faced with the successive departures of her husband and best friend, Zhang Ruifang was devastated.
After retiring, she used all her savings to build a home for the elderly called "Ai Wanting", and she often took out a photo of herself and Zheng Zenghu for an afternoon.
The photo was taken at a class reunion at the Peking Pingping National Art College, and it was the only photo of the two of them.
When Zhang Ruifang died in Shanghai in 2012, only his adopted son Yan Jia was with him.
As she lay dying, she clutched her adopted son's hand tightly and murmured in her mouth, "Zeng Hu, Zeng Hu." ”
Perhaps the most poignant love in the world is not life and death, but whether you belong to me or not, you are there, as long as you can see your happiness from a distance, it is enough.