In 1995, at the age of 74, Zhang Ailing died in a rented house in the United States, and her body was not found until four days later. She had nothing on her body and was lying on the bed with her face facing the door. And the will she left behind wrote three special requirements.
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With her sharp brushstrokes, Zhang Ailing has left a strong mark in the history of modern Chinese literature.
Unexpectedly, she chose a quiet night in a foreign country and quietly left this world, leaving behind a story that makes people sigh.
Her influence and fame in the literary world make her a presence to be reckoned with.
Her works, such as "Red Roses and White Roses" and "Eighteen Springs", all depict the complexity of human nature and the variety of society with her unique perspective and delicate brushstrokes, which are deeply loved by readers.
Her personal life, like her novels, is full of mystery and drama.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1995, 74-year-old Zhang Ailing died in a rental house in Los Angeles, USA.
Her death was not sudden, but the cumulative result of a long period of loneliness and illness.
Four days later, the landlord broke into the door for fear that the rent had not been paid, and found Zhang Ailing's lonely body, lying in an empty room.
This room used to be the space where she lived and worked, but now it is lonely.
Her last wish was peculiar and bordered on paranoid: she demanded that her body be cremated directly after death, without any form of funeral or memorial service, and that her ashes be scattered in an unknown wilderness.
These desires show her determination to not disturb others in the final stages of her life and her indifference to worldly views.
She didn't want her death to be a topic of conversation, and she didn't want the affairs behind her to be the object of discussion.
Zhang Ailing was born in a prominent family of eunuchs and should have enjoyed the warmth and protection of her family.
However, fate gave her a childhood full of pain.
She was the eldest daughter in the family, but she didn't get the love she deserved.
Her father was an indulgent playboy who was indifferent to her and even locked her in a dark room for corporal punishment because he was dissatisfied with her studies.
The mother is a woman who pursues freedom and dreams, does not pay attention to her daughter's growth and education, and often leaves home to pursue her own life.
Zhang Ailing, who grew up in such a family environment, has never felt the true warmth of family affection.
Such a growth experience made Zhang Ailing learn to be independent and strong early, and also made her deeply disgusted with family affection.
She tries to escape the family and pursue the life she wants.
As an adult, she resolutely left her hometown and devoted herself to the literary world, expressing her emotions and opinions in words.
Despite her great literary success, she could not get rid of the pain of family affection in her heart, and until the last moment of her life, she longed to be able to completely free herself from this heavy shackle.
After growing up, Zhang Ailing's two marriages ended in tragedy.
Her relationship with her first husband, Hu Lancheng, has been criticized for his traitorous status.
This two-year marriage eventually broke up.
In 1956, she met and married the German writer Raija, who was 30 years her senior.
However, Raiya's health and financial situation made this marriage even more difficult.
Despite this, Zhang Ailing still takes care of Lai Ya unabandoningly.
In the ten years since Lai Ya's death, Zhang Ailing's almost all of her life focus has been on supporting Lai Ya.
With the death of Lai Ya, Zhang Ailing's world has become more lonely.
She built a barrier to her family, friends, and the world beyond the walls, closing herself off in an isolated space.
However, even in the face of such a miserable old age, she always maintained her dignity.
As she said many years ago, "Life is a beautiful robe crawling with lice", which vividly describes her rough life situation.
As an outstanding figure in the literary world, Zhang Ailing has made a name for herself in the literary world with her unique talent and keen insight.
Her writing is sharp and vivid, showing a deep understanding and critique of life and society.
Although her life is full of twists and turns, in the palace of literature, she has left her brilliant traces and is praised by future generations.
Information sources:
The Paper "Most Afraid: Death, Most Hate: A Talented Woman Gets Married Too Early | Zhang Ailing Love and Hate Table
Chinese Writers Network - Zhang Ailing's last years
