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The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

author:Don't be afraid to read alone

"If you marry this Chinese man, you will definitely regret it! If you have a child with him, the child will also commit suicide! ”

It is unbelievable that such vicious words, almost cursed, came from the mouth of a mother.

What's even more paradoxical is that this mother actually said nothing! These indignant "prophecies" of hers will come true one by one after 50 years!

So, what exactly happened?

It all starts with Chinese - translation giant Yang Xianyi.

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Yang Xianyi

01

In 1915, Yang Xianyi was born in Tianjin to a family of eunuchs, and as the only son of a particularly wealthy banker, he grew up and never suffered from money.

Even if his father Yang Jichuan died tragically at the age of 5, he still lived an idle noble son's life.

Because his father left him a rich family property, including huge deposits in the bank, and several properties in Tianjin.

It was because the family was too rich, and her mother Xu Yanruo was worried that her son would be kidnapped, so she did not allow Yang Xianyi to go to school, but spent a lot of money to invite a famous teacher to her home.

Under the training of teachers from various countries and Yang Xianyi's innate language talent, he began to read a lot of original English books when he was a teenager, and read one or two books every day with great hunger, and the reading speed was fast!

When Yang Xianyi was 16 years old, Xu Yanruo hired another female teacher, Mrs. Chi, to teach her son French.

Mrs. Chi was in her early 30s, and because she was dissatisfied with her husband, she decided to go out of the house and fend for herself.

Unexpectedly, in the process of teaching, Mrs. Chi was unilaterally infatuated with the teenage Yang Xianyi!

Xu Yanruo noticed the signs and worried that there would be a family scandal, so she immediately sent her son out to study.

In 1934, 19-year-old Yang Xianyi went to England and began a six-year study abroad career.

During this period, Mrs. Chi kept writing to him, pouring out to him the misfortunes of her life:

"You're the only one left in the world now..."

Yang Xianyi did not reply at all.

In the end, Mrs. Chi was so disheartened that she swallowed medicine and committed suicide!

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Yang Xianyi with his mother and two younger sisters

02

After arriving in London, Yang spent 5 months studying Greek and Latin.

In 1935, Yang Xianyi easily passed the written examination of Oxford University.

Unexpectedly, during the interview, the examiner asked:

"How long have you been learning Greek and Latin?"

Yang Xianyi answered truthfully:

"5 months."

The examiner was stunned:

"It takes us Englishmen at least seven or eight years to learn Greek and Latin. You actually only used five months? ...... Ahem, your grades are a fluke. We advise you to delay your university for a year, and you'd better learn a little more Greek and Latin for admission. ”

Yang Xianyi was speechless, he never expected that he would be delayed for one year because he was too talented!

Of course, he did not obediently plunge into the pile of books, but used this year to play Europe all over the place.

From the summer of 1935 to the spring of 1936, he went to Paris, France, where he toured the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles;

He went to Lausanne and other places in Switzerland, attended several lectures at the University of Lausanne, and lived for a few weeks in a Swiss family;

He travelled to the Mediterranean Sea on a tourist shuttle for a month, with excursions including:

Gibraltar, Algiers, Lisbon, Sicily, Malta, Greece, but also the Aegean, Istanbul and Egypt.

In Greece, he visited the homeland of the poet Arcaeos, enjoyed a good meal in a garden full of figs, olives and fine wine, and bought a large bottle of locally produced sweet wine and took it to the ship to get drunk;

In Egypt, he hired a guide and went on a desert night tour. As the moon shone silver and he passed pyramids in the desert, the Egyptian guide romantically prophesied:

"There's a beautiful English blonde girl who is haggard for you. However, you have not yet met, but you will soon, and many wonderful things and adventures await you. ”

It's another saying!

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Dai Nadie

03

In the spring of 1936, Yang Xianyi finished his trip and officially entered Oxford University.

Here, he really met a beautiful British blonde girl - Taylor.

Later, Taylor took the Chinese name "Dynadie".

The books Yang Xianyi read and the road he has traveled have made him well-informed and interesting to talk about, which made Dai Naidie's heart moved.

After the two read together, rowed, and dated together, they confided their feelings for each other and confirmed their relationship.

However, there is another important reason why Dai Naidie admires Yang Xianyi:

Yang Xianyi is Chinese.

Although Dai Naidi is British, he was born in Beijing -

Her father, Dai Leren, was a missionary who went to China early and worked as a professor at Yenching University.

As a result, Dai Naidie has always retained in her mind the fond impression of her childhood in China.

It is precisely because of this Chinese complex that Dai Naidie unswervingly chose the Chinese boy Yang Xianyi.

After the two fell in love, Dai Naidie simply switched to Chinese literature, and Yang Xianyi also changed to English literature, which laid a solid foundation for them to show their skills in the translation industry in the future.

Unexpectedly, Dai Naidie's mother learned that her daughter was in love with a Chinese youth, and she strongly objected!

Why?

She lived with her husband in China for decades, and knew the differences between Chinese and Western cultures, as well as the reality that Chinese women had a low social status and that mixed-race children were disliked.

Therefore, Dai's mother constantly persuaded her daughter to give up this relationship.

However, Dai Naidie insisted on getting engaged to Yang Xianyi and returning to China together.

Under Dai Mu's anger, she uttered shocking words:

"If you marry this Chinese man, you will definitely regret it! If you have a child with him, the child will also commit suicide! ”

Dai Naidie took her mother's words as a deaf ear, and she thought that they were nothing more than the anger of a mother who loved her daughter.

I never expected that this angry words at this moment actually foresaw the tribulations she and Yang Xianyi would encounter later!

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Dai Naidie, Yang Xianyi

04

In the summer of 1940, Yang received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford.

Soon, he received an offer from Harvard University.

Yang Xianyi declined:

"I've lived abroad long enough that I feel like I have to go back to China to work."

Yang Xianyi chose to return to the war-torn motherland without hesitation:

"I knew that when I returned to China, I would not have the opportunity to live a peaceful life of study. But I'm Chinese and I have to go back and play for China. ”

It can be seen that the intellectuals of that era had valuable qualities and lofty spirits!

In the autumn of that year, Dai Naidi followed Yang Xianyi on his way back to China.

At the time, officials asked 21-year-old Dai Naidie:

"Why go to China at this time?"

Dai Nadie replied:

"I'm going with my Chinese fiancé."

The official looked at her worriedly:

"If you go to China, you may find that he has a wife at home. In that case, we'll have to send you back. ”

Dai Naidie smiled:

"My father is in China now, and he teaches at a university."

After listening to Dai Naidie's words, the official was relieved.

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Dai Naidie, Yang Xianyi

05

On February 16, 1941, Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie officially held their wedding.

This year, the groom is 26 years old and the bride is 22 years old.

At this point, both parents compromised.

Xu Yanruo personally made a cheongsam embroidered with dragon and phoenix patterns for her daughter-in-law as a wedding dress;

Dai Naidie's mother also came from England to attend her daughter's wedding with her husband Dai Leren.

Since then, Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie have spent nearly 60 years of marriage together.

After marriage, the two first taught at a university and then worked as translators at the Chongqing National Compilation Museum.

At that time, colleagues were impressed by the exotic couple:

"On the stretch of road close to Beibei, we often meet an exotic couple walking around, talking and always smiling as they go. The men wore long robes, the women were foreigners, but they wore cloth cheongsam, which was very simple. Because she is a foreigner, it is particularly eye-catching. ”
The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Yang Xianyi is known as a translator, and his greatest achievement in life is also translation.

Over the years, they have teamed up to translate Chinese literature into English and introduce our culture to Western countries, from pre-Qin prose to classical Chinese literature, including "Divorce" and "Dream of the Red Mansion".

1. Translate Chinese classical literary masterpieces, from the Book of Poetry to late Qing Dynasty literature, a total of 150 kinds of selection;

2. Translate Chinese modern and contemporary literature, from Lu Xun to that time, a total of 100 kinds.

Yang Xianyi's younger sister, Yang Wei, later vividly recalled the scene when her brother and sister-in-law worked together:

"They were one person typing in front of the book, one person kept reading, sometimes the two of them sat at their desks and buried their heads in writing, sometimes they held the books and discussed seriously, as early as the forties, I saw my brother holding a roll of ancient books in his left hand, his right hand sliding down the line with his fingers, and his mouth was quickly dictating in English, and my sister-in-law kept typing, as if they were competing for speed, sometimes pausing, but quickly burying their heads in 'racing'. This completes their first draft. I have also seen Yang Xianyi sitting alone at his desk, his eyes looking at a Chinese book next to his left hand, and one finger of his right hand typing to type the first draft of the translation. After the first draft came out, the two repeatedly scrutinized, revised, and debated, often repeating many times, and finally Nai Di typed the final draft. ”

It is Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie who have an orderly division of labor and tacit understanding that makes our classic masterpieces and excellent literary works go abroad.

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie's 3 children

06

At the same time as the translation, there was a successful pregnancy, as well as the crystallization of their love, and the two had a total of 1 son and 2 daughters.

The family originally lived a happy and warm life, but they did not escape the hurricane of the times after all.

Yang Xianyi was schizophrenic in this catastrophe, with auditory hallucinations and delusions; Later, he and his wife Dai Naidie both squatted in prison.

The couple were detained separately for four years.

On the day he was arrested, Yang Xianyi was eating with his wife and drinking a little alcohol.

When he was caught drunk and taken to prison, the "fellow inmates" greedily sniffed the smell of alcohol in the air.

"What a fragrance! What kind of wine are you drinking? ”

Yang Xianyi replied with a smile:

"It's probably Luzhou Daqu."

When everyone heard this, they asked in a variety of tongues:

"I haven't drunk this kind of good wine in years. How much is one or two? ”

"Have you finished that bottle?"

Yang Xianyi thought back and said:

"I was caught here before I could finish my drink. There is half or a third left in the bottle. ”

Everyone was sorry and sighed:

"What a pity that there is so much left!"

In this way, Yang Xianyi and the "cellmates" quickly mingled, and soon fell asleep with peace of mind, sleeping until dawn!

This story appeared in Yang Xianyi's memoir in his later years, "Remembering the Year of Leaky Ship and Wine".

For the four years in prison, he looked back with a "fun" mentality.

During those four years, he was in prison, teaching everyone to learn foreign languages, memorize Tang poems, and sing; When he was hungry, he would tell everyone how to make rock sugar elbows, and write a large dish menu to solve the hunger.

Therefore, everyone not only did not bully him, but also respected him.

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Yang Xianyi

07

In 1972, because of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Britain, Yang Xianyi was stained with his wife's light, and the two were released one after another.

Yang Xianyi returned home first, cleaned up the home that had long been turned into a rat's den, and then went to eat at the restaurant next to his home.

He remembers a nearby restaurant serving cheap, semi-Western meals, and he spent a penny and a half to order a small piece of beef, a fried potato strip, and a bottle of beer.

Over the years, he has been craving juicy meat dishes.

But now that his wish has come true, he can't eat it.

"I suddenly felt like I had lost my appetite and was no longer gluttonous."

The next day, Mr. Yang returned to his office and his colleagues greeted him warmly.

"It's like nothing has happened in years."

A few days later, Dai Naidi also returned home, and the family was finally reunited, and everything seemed to be bitter.

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

Yang Ye

Unexpectedly, his son Yang Ye had an abnormal spirit.

Yang Ye is a very sensitive child, and he has felt particularly inferior since he was a child because of his mixed-race appearance.

When he grew up, he was unable to enter his favorite university because of his origin.

Coupled with the fact that both his parents were in prison, his mental system completely collapsed!

At this time, Dai Naidier's sister wrote from England, saying that it might be better to let her nephew change the environment.

So, Yang Xianyi and his wife sent their son to England.

Unfortunately, the symptoms are not cured, and Yang Ye finally poured gasoline on his aunt's house and burned himself to death!

I never expected that the "curse" of Dai Naidie's mother many years ago turned into a prophecy!

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

08

Their son died in the fire, and when the news came, Yang Xianyi and his wife were greatly hit.

Yang Xianyi choked up at his wife more than once:

"I really miss our son..."

Dai Naidie, on the other hand, blamed Yang Xianyi for a little, believing that her son's tragedy was caused by Yang Xianyi's enthusiasm for politics and neglect of concern for her growing son.

After losing his son, Dai Naidi suffered from the pain of the cone, and his body gradually collapsed.

"First of all, my eyes were broken, and I couldn't read books or newspapers. Then there is osteoporosis, then senile blues, and finally dementia. ”
The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

In his later years, Dai Naidi no longer recognized her husband, daughter, son-in-law and grandson.

However, even if she doesn't remember anything, she always smiles and never loses her temper.

Yang Xianyi stopped all the work at hand and devoted himself to taking care of his wife.

During the 10 years that his wife was ill, he took care of her like a child.

In 1993, the University of Hong Kong conferred an honorary doctorate of literature on Yang Xianyi.

Yang Xianyi went alone, worried at the ceremony, constantly worried about his wife who remained in Beijing.

At that time, the school gave him a doctoral gown he wore as a souvenir, and Yang Xianyi wrote a poem:

"Thank you Dr. Colorful, it's like a cold gray."

The heart is like a cold ash, how sad these four words are!

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

In 1999, Dai Naidie passed away before Yang Xianyi at the age of 80.

The painter Yu Feng once painted a painting for Dai Naidie, and she praised Dai Naidie:

"The golden hair turns silver, but the heart of gold will not change."

That's right, Dai Naidi has a heart of gold -

She married Yang Xianyi desperately, experienced war, turmoil, and fear, lived in people's eyes of discrimination and suspicion for many years, and was even thrown into prison, and even lost her only son.

However, she has always stood side by side with her husband, and once said such heart-shaking and moving words:

"I feel like I have two homelands. I never regret spending my life in China! ”
The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

09

After his wife's death, Yang Xianyi was overwhelmed with grief and wrote a poem of mourning for his wife:

In the early days, he went to the netherworld, but he lost his strength halfway.

The knot is bad, poor and destitute, trapped in prison, and dead and light.

Youth is a companion of many ghosts, and the white head belongs to me.

If there is love in the sky, the sky is also old, and there is never a double star between the silver and the Han.

He hung the portrait of his wife and this eulogy on the bedside, day and night.

Once, the TV station came to interview Yang Xianyi and asked him:

"Elder Yang, what do you think is the biggest regret in this life?"

Yang Xianyi said without thinking:

"My wife and I were supposed to die together, but she died first."

At the age of 90, Yang Xianyi was interviewed again, and the reporter asked him:

"After Madame died, how was your life different from before?"

Yang Xianyi said:

"My feeling is that life has come to an end, life should be over."

The reporter then asked:

"Do you think so because Madame is not around?"

Yang Xianyi replied without thinking:

"Yes."

The reporter asked him again:

"Would you still have that thought if she were still with you?"

He simply shook his head and said:

"Nope. Maybe I'll live another hundred years..."

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

It is worth mentioning that Yang Xianyi did not build a grave for his wife, and the ashes were scattered.

Someone asked:

"You didn't want to keep it?"

Yang Xianyi flicked cigarette ash in the ashtray and said:

"The ashes are kept just like my cigarette ashes, what are you keeping this big pile for?"

The man asked again:

"If it's Mr. Dai's anniversary..."

Yang Xianyi interrupted:

"I can commemorate her any day, I don't have to choose which day to do that."

At first glance, it sounds a little willful, but after thinking about it, he feels Yang Xianyi's infinite affection for Dai Naidie, which is all contained in this sentence.

The British beauty bravely married a Chinese guy, and the mother-in-law was so angry that she set up a vicious curse, but she didn't expect it to come true one by one

10

In 2009, Yang Xianyi passed away at the age of 94, and a generation of translators ended his long, legendary and bittersweet life.

"The young man holds hands and meets the whitehead, and the Chinese and British fly together."

At this point, the story of this "Condor Heroes" in the translation industry has become the swan song of the world.

And Yang Xianyi's life, the first half of his life, full of spirit, talented in learning, life in the mountains, drinking and fun, is a good temperament, a righteous playboy.

Unfortunately, the second half of his period was bumpy, turbulent and adrift, four years in prison, and his son set himself on fire. However, he is still frank and indifferent in the face of ups and downs, and always adheres to the diligent pursuit of the translation career.

Yang Xianyi's life, as he once wrote a self-exhortation poem:

Every time you see right or wrong, you don't care about gains and losses.

A hundred years of grievances must be exhausted, and be a decent person.

Reference books:

01 "Remembering the Year of Leaking Ship and Carrying Wine" (Yang Xianyi's autobiography) - Yang Xianyi

02 "Five Flavors of Life: The Biography of Yang Xianyi" - Li Lingling Wang Yixin

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