Before reading this article, please click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also can bring you a different sense of participation, thank you for your support
Warm memories of the past
Wang Ziwei sat alone in the living room, staring gloomily at the old photo frame in her hand. In the frame is the kind face of her late husband Lee Kwang Hee, as if it were right in front of her.
Looking at this forever frozen photo, Wang Ziwei's tears flowed down again, she gently stroked the photo frame, and silently poured out her inner sorrow.
"Oh, my dear Ray. Wang Ziwei muttered to herself, her voice choked. It's been more than a year since Li Guangxi's death, but she still can't fully accept this cruel truth.
After decades of ups and downs, they have accompanied each other and embraced each other, from love at first sight when they were young, to hardships and finally became married, and now she is the only one left to grow old.
Every time I think back to the years I have walked with Li Guangxi, those unforgettable moments seem to have happened yesterday. The room was littered with traces of the two of them together—old records on the walls, neatly organized newspaper clippings in the cabinets, and the old radio on the coffee table. Each item can evoke Wang Ziwei's warm memories of the past.
There is also a small photo frame next to the radio, which is a group photo of them when they were young. In the photo, Li Guangxi's face is simple and simple, and Wang Ziwei is delicate and lovely, the two look at each other and smile, their eyes flashing with happiness.
Wang Ziwei looked at this photo and couldn't help tears slipping down again.
She carefully looked at the face of her lover in the photo, and began to recall the bits and pieces of their acquaintance and love.
Love at first sight
It was a National Day Celebration performance in 1953, and more than 100 artists on the stage were dressed in colorful costumes and shone under the illumination of the lights. Standing in the back row of the line, 24-year-old Li Guangxi, dressed in a modest choral uniform, nervously and excitedly awaited his opening.
As a young "grassroots artist" in Tianjin, being able to join this grand lineup of performances is like a dream. He has been fond of music since he was a child, and he is extremely proud that his talent has finally been recognized.
However, at this important moment in his life, a quiet and beautiful figure inexplicably caught his attention.
It was a female high school student in the choir, with an outstanding temperament, gentle and generous. When she turned around, her gaze suddenly met with Li Guangxi, which suddenly made the young and innocent him feel uneasy and fascinated.
She showed a faint smile at Li Guangxi, warm as spring, and the whole person was heroic and chic.
Li Guangxi felt suffocated, and the blood all over his body seemed to be ignited and boiled at that moment.
Li Guangxi made up his mind that he must pursue Wang Ziwei and win her heart thousands of miles away. From that moment on, the flame of love burned in the hearts of young people.
Love across classes
Li Guangxi, who was born in poverty, fell in love with Wang Ziwei at first sight and was determined to go all out to pursue this cross-class marriage. But he is also soberly aware that the gap between the backgrounds of the two will bring countless obstacles to this love.
Sure enough, when Wang Ziwei sincerely confided in her parents, it caused an uproar at home.
As the only daughter of a wealthy family, how could the royal father and queen mother, who boasted of half a century of wholehearted cultivation, let their daughter fall into the arms of a poor boy like Li Guangxi, who "had nothing"? They sternly rebuked this romantic love, believing that Li Guangxi could not give her a stable and happy life.
In the face of strong opposition from her parents, Wang Ziwei has been docile for a long time, and this time she unexpectedly behaved extremely resolute and stubborn. She said bluntly: "If it's not Li Guangxi, I won't marry!" Seeing that his daughter was so stubborn, the royal father and queen mother had nothing to do, and finally made a decision: neither would they be supported by any dowry, but they would also cut off contact after marriage.
When Li Guangxi was told the important news, he was also confused in his heart at that time. As a small clerk with a meager family background, he was worried that rashly combining with Wang Ziwei would only bring her a poor life and could not afford the responsibilities of a husband.
But looking at his lover's sincere and persistent eyes, Li Guangxi regained his courage and confidence. They are a couple of lovers who truly love each other and are not bound by monetary interests.
With each other's company and encouragement, any hardship will cease to exist.
So, in January 1958, two ignorant and persistent young people resolutely entered the palace of marriage. Due to the opposition of both families, the wedding was too simple, and even the most basic household items had to be borrowed from friends.
But under the candlelight, the bride and groom hugged each other tightly, their eyes full of longing and expectations for a better life in the future.
Li Guangxi stared deeply at his wife's happy and shining face, as if she was true in the world. Despite his humble background, he vowed to use his hands and feet to create a stable and prosperous living environment for his lover.
And Wang Ziwei also looked back at her husband with a smile, and she had no doubts about this marriage in the eyes of the world.
Parting and reunion
As soon as the simple and touching wedding ended, Li Guangxi was recruited to participate in the country's rural support movement, and began a life with his beloved wife Wang Ziwei.
The childhood sweetheart's husband and wife are deeply affectionate, but they can only pour out their thoughts through frequent letters.
Whenever Wang Ziwei has a holiday, the two will quickly meet, and take advantage of this short time to get together and express their hearts to each other. Walking on the street, Li Guangxi always held his wife's hand tightly in his palm, for fear that she would slip through his fingers like this.
Wang Ziwei would turn her head sideways from time to time, staring at her husband's side face with affectionate eyes, and her heart was very moved.
Time flies, and Wang Ziwei has transformed from a rich lady into a virtuous wife. She became increasingly frugal in her family, spending every penny on necessary expenses, while also fully supporting Lee Kwang Hee in pursuing her music dreams.
Finally, Li Guangxi, because of his extraordinary musical talent and reputation, was recalled to the capital, Beijing, by the Ministry of Culture.
When the two reunited, Wang Ziwei was so happy that she burst into tears, and even her cherished high heels involuntarily stood on tiptoe, as if she wanted to hug Li Guangxi's whole person into her arms.
Li Guangxi lowered his head and kissed his wife deeply. This kiss has entrusted all the lovesickness and attachment for several years.
Just when the two were back on the track of a happy life, fate once again surged with twists and turns. In 1972, Lee was suddenly diagnosed with "laryngeal dystrophy", which meant that he could lose the ability to speak forever.
When the doctor announced the bad news, Li Guangxi's whole person was like being hit by a thunderbolt on a sunny day, and he instantly fell into the deepest trough of his life.
Once upon a time, music was his greatest dream and spiritual pillar. Now that this pillar has collapsed, Li Guangxi is helpless and hesitant. And his wife Wang Ziwei saw that her beloved was so decadent, and her heart was also full of burden and sadness.
But she didn't give up, but secretly gritted her teeth and was determined to use her actions to support her husband and the whole family.
For the next 6 years, Wang Ziwei shouldered the burden of the family alone, juggling her career and taking care of her three young daughters. The hard work day and night is not as strong as hers, and she is always enlightening and encouraging her husband, giving endless love and warmth.
And Li Guangxi, under the careful care of his wife, finally came out of the twilight and regained his confidence in treatment and recovery.
Career take-off
After treatment and rehabilitation, Lee finally regained his precious voice. The Spring Festival Gala in 1979 was an excellent time for him to return to the stage and regain his career.
There were thousands of lights on the stage, and when Li Guangxi stepped on the red carpet, the familiar tension arose again. The audience's warm applause rushed like a wave, and Wang Ziwei sat in the best position, looking at her husband with a smile.
Taking a deep breath, Li Guangxi snapped his fingers, and with the cheerful melody of the music, he sang the popular "Toast Song" loudly. The high-pitched and loud singing voice resounded in the sky again, as if releasing all the repression and trauma over the years.
Wang Ziwei in the audience couldn't help but burst into tears, how many days and nights she waited for her lover to regain her former glory.
Sure enough, this wonderful performance stirred up a thousand waves with one stone. The next day, Li Guangxi's name spread all over the country, and he became famous and a household name.
Soon, Wang Ziwei saw her husband's career thriving: "Toasting Song" spread all over the world, and fans praised it; Major music circles have also recruited this unprecedented singer.
And what makes Li Guangxi feel most proud is the appearance of his three daughters. The eldest daughter, Li Tang, has been teaching at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and performs on the same stage with her father from time to time; The second daughter, Li Hehe, specializes in music theory research and teaches piano; The third daughter, Li Naxin, crossed the ocean with her family and settled in Japan.
Whenever the three daughters go back to their parents' house for a small gathering, there will always be a time of laughter and laughter. At that time, Li Guangxi would take out the old musical instruments and show off his singing voice for his family.
Wang Ziwei sat peacefully on the side, watching the bright smiles bloom on the faces of her children and husband, and felt extremely happy in her heart.
The two of them who entered their later years gradually embarked on the track of a comfortable and prosperous life. After retirement, Li Guangxi often laughed at himself, "Retirement is just the next part of his life's journey".
This music master has let go of the last obsession in his heart, and slowly savored the beautiful time of life under the sunset in the fragrant flower path.