Source: CNKI original draft
Michael Joseph Jackson is the best interpreter of "music without borders", he conveys his love to the world through music, and he is remembered for his love for the world.
So for people who really like Michael, not only because of his high attainments in art, but also because of his unique personality charm, even if he understands the king.
However, such an international superstar has a special fate with the red land, and Michael once spent seven hours in rural China as a tourist, what did he do?
Low-key foreign tourists
Back in the summer of 1987, China's economy was not as developed as it is today, so few foreign celebrities came to the mainland, and most of them went to Hong Kong and Taiwan.
That year, Michael was traveling in Hong Kong, and he suddenly had the idea of going to the mainland to see it, although he had held concerts in Taiwan before, but had not yet set foot in the mainland, so he suspended his vacation trip and chose neighboring Guangdong.
However, surprisingly, Michael did not choose a busy metropolis, but chose Yongmo Village and Cuiheng Village in Zhongshan, Guangdong, as a pure tourist.
In order to solve the problem of language communication, Michael specially hired a local young tour guide to be the translator, this person is named Liu Guangzhi, who speaks English very fluently, and there was a small episode between him and Michael.
Because Michael is a very low-key and easily shy person, when he wears a big sunglasses that can cover his eyes, Liu Guangzhi didn't recognize Michael at first, but just regarded him as an ordinary foreign tourist.
However, when Liu Guangzhi was talking and noticed that the voice of the man in front of him was familiar, he slowly reacted, isn't this the famous Michael? He couldn't believe that this was the reality that was happening in front of him.
Michael, who has a super high reputation in the world, is not surrounded by bodyguards when he travels, let alone any superstar shelf, he is very kind, he speaks very kindly, and his eyes are always smiling.
In the face of such a low-key superstar, Liu Guangzhi finally found it difficult to suppress the excitement in his heart, and mustered up the courage to invite Michael to take a group photo, but Michael smiled and nodded in agreement, and did not hold a shelf at all when taking pictures.
At the end of the group photo, Michael thanked the person who took the photo very politely.
After the episode, Liu Guangzhi led Michael to board the bus and drove all the way to Yongmo Village, and the idyllic scenery outside the window made Michael have a strong interest.
Therefore, as soon as the car stopped, Michael couldn't suppress the joy in his heart, and after getting Liu Guangzhi's nod, he trotted all the way, took the camera and began to take pictures of various things of interest.
Whether it is a farmer working in the fields, or a child playing by the stream, the dilapidated bluestone pavement, the old houses, the sound of frogs from the grass by the river, or the buffalo grazing, all find Michael very new.
As innocent as a child who has just seen the world, Michael uses his camera to record everything he is interested in, but when he meets the buffalo who is grazing, a very funny thing happens, Michael is targeted by the buffalo!
Why doesn't the buffalo stare at others, but at Michael?
Approachable superstar
Coincidentally, Michael, who is very interested in grazing buffaloes, can't help but come to its vicinity and prepare to find out.
As a result, when the buffalo saw Michael, it stared at him directly, and then rushed towards him, startling Michael and dodging in a panic.
However, when Michael looked down at the coat he was wearing, he laughed directly, because he was wearing a red coat, and the buffalo was excited when he saw the red, and it was strange not to hit him.
According to common sense, in this case, you should hide a little farther, but Michael is unusual, playful, he smiled and pointed to the buffalo, turned his head and asked Liu Guangzhi: "Can I take a picture of it?"
Liu Guangzhi nodded helplessly and told Michael to be careful, so Michael, who was as excited as a child, took out his camera and took pictures of the buffalo for several minutes.
In the process of taking pictures, the buffalo seems to feel some kind of provocation and wants to kick Michael again, but Michael has the previous experience, dodging the attack in a very graceful posture, and then unscrupulous laughter spreads throughout the field.
Liu Guangzhi on the side felt a little trance and incredible, it turned out that this international superstar actually had such an innocent side.
After filming the buffalo, Michael waved goodbye to the buffalo, and the latter came out with a "moo" cry......
Later, Michael followed Liu Guangzhi towards the village, and in this quiet village, he felt more relaxed than ever, because everyone didn't know the superstar, and even made a small oolong because of it.
Because Michael's curly hair was tied up, he did not suffer from albinism at that time, and he was very energetic, but his slightly thin figure was regarded as an "African girl" by the villagers, and a bunch of curious children stopped and watched behind him.
Wherever Michael went, the children followed, and they were very curious about Michael, so they followed him all the way, and Michael didn't show any disgust.
Because Michael is a very fond of children, he will always insist on visiting children in orphanages in every place he has visited, and at the same time adopt many children to bring them a better education as much as possible, Michael always believes that children's hearts are the purest in the world.
Therefore, for the children who followed him, Michael also greeted them warmly, and Liu Guangzhi followed along to translate.
Soon, Michael got along with the children, and the children liked the friendly foreign tourist, so they left a group photo, Michael hugged the child and smiled very happily, and these photos were later treasured by Michael.
Of course, what is even more touching is that even after Michael left, he still mailed a photo of him and the children to the village, which is also an experience worth remembering for a lifetime for the children who participated in the group photo.
The most sincere emotions for the children, without any fame and fortune, all come from Michael's heart.
The news of a foreign tourist in the village soon spread, and more and more curious people went out of the house to find out, and Michael was recognized by some young people.
Michael responded to the fans' requests for photos and autographs, he stopped, smiled and took pictures with fans, without the slightest feeling of being on top, and these photos were later sent back to every fan by Michael.
This idyllic scenery that belongs to the land of China left a very deep impression on Michael, and of course, Michael's kindness left in the village has also been remembered by the villagers to this day.
It was an act of kindness between Michael and an old lady in her seventies, which became a good story in the village.
The kindest artist
In 2005, Michael was named the Guinness Book of World Records for the most successful artist.
And his success is not only in the artistic level, but also in the most fundamental kindness in his heart, and it is not an exaggeration to call him "the kindest artist".
The baptism of the idyllic scenery along the way, Michael's mood was particularly relaxed, but it was the height of summer, and Michael, who was halfway there, suddenly became thirsty, and at this moment he happened to stop in front of an old house, Liu Guangzhi went up to ask the hostess if he could prepare a glass of water for Michael.
The hostess was over seventy years old, and her body looked very strong, and she was very enthusiastic, and when she heard that the foreign tourists in front of her were thirsty, the old lady turned back to the house and took a glass of water and handed it over.
After drinking the water, Michael thanked the old lady very politely, and Liu Guangzhi translated for the old lady on the side, seeing that the foreigner was so polite, the old lady proposed to let Michael come into the house and sit down.
When Michael heard this, he visited the old lady's home with great interest, and in his first impression, both the living room and the backyard were very simple, but the home was very neatly tied, and it could be seen that the old lady was also a diligent person.
Because of Liu Guangzhi's communication bridge, Michael chatted with the old lady, and when he heard that the old lady had no children and no daughters, and only one person lived, Michael was very distressed, and he decided to help the old lady with kindness.
It's just that the old lady politely refused Michael's kindness, she felt that she was living well, and asked Michael if he was hungry, and he was going to prepare lunch while talking.
Michael did not shirk, he offered to take a photo with the old lady, the two sat on the stool very naturally, Michael held the old lady's hand, and the old lady also put her other hand on Michael's arm, smiling very naturally.
Moreover, when taking a group photo, there is a small detail, Michael very politely let the old lady sit in front of him.
After taking the photo, Michael thanked the old lady again, and then took advantage of the old lady's inattention to quietly leave 2,000 Hong Kong dollars.
At that time, for the rural areas that were not wealthy, 2,000 Hong Kong dollars was a huge amount of money for the old lady, which could effectively improve her life.
After Michael finished this trip, he signed the photo of him and the old lady and sent it back.
The good fate formed by a glass of water later spread into a good story in the village.
Whether it is approachable or the most sincere kindness, Michael's various heart-warming actions have made the villagers remember.
In addition to the nostalgia for the idyllic scenery and simple folk customs, Michael also had a great interest in Chinese culture and a strong sense of admiration for a great man.
The most real Michael
During this short journey, Michael gained a new understanding of Chinese culture.
He would clumsily learn from farmers to wear hats on their heads to work in the fields, and he would also learn from small traders to set up stalls to sell fruits, which Michael thought was very simple and he longed for this unique folk culture.
In the afternoon, Michael and Liu Guangzhi left Yongmo Village and prepared to go to Cuiheng Village.
Michael also waved goodbye to the villagers for their enthusiasm.
After coming to Tsuiheng Village, Liu Guangzhi led Michael to visit the former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and told Michael about the life of Mr. Sun Yat-sen.
After learning about the deeds of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Michael suddenly had a sense of admiration for this great man, and couldn't help but have a strong interest in the tunics.
So, Liu Guangzhi told Michael about the origin of the tunic again, and Michael listened very attentively, he had a deeper understanding of that period of history, and therefore fell in love with the tunic.
Therefore, when Michael returned to China later, he had a special set of tunics ordered.
When eating in the restaurant in the afternoon, Michael showed a very polite side, whenever the waiter served the food, he would thank him warmly, and what felt commendable was that Michael insisted on using chopsticks and respecting Chinese customs.
After a meal, Michael was basically familiar with the use of chopsticks from a layman who was not used to chopsticks, and Michael also gave a high evaluation of the custom of Chinese eating with chopsticks.
After dinner, Michael offered to visit more Chinese culture, and when Liu Guangzhi heard about it, he took him to a shop.
The shop is not big, but it is full of all kinds of small crafts, and Michael is very curious, he has a very strong interest in these crafts, and he looks at all the products on display in the store over and over again.
At the checkout, Michael's handbag was stuffed with souvenirs, and there were more than a dozen small dolls alone, not to mention other small items of interest, and he couldn't put it down.
In addition to his passion for souvenirs, Michael is also interested in porcelain and ancient weapons, which he considers to be rare works of art.
And this is the most real Michael, although he has already had wealth that ordinary people dare not imagine, but he has always been able to maintain his original intention.
Although the trip was only 7 hours, this unique memory is still fresh in the memories of the villagers after more than 30 years.
Similarly, Michael was very emotional about this experience: "China is very mysterious, with kind and simple old people and lovely children"
epilogue
A short journey, but people remember a little-known side of him, because this is also the most real Michael.
As Michael's mother said, "Michael only did one thing, and that was love, and I think he will be remembered for his love for the world." ”
Although Michael has been gone for almost 15 years now, everything seems to be yesterday, and his presence is deeply etched in the memory of every fan.
This light that once illuminated the darkness has not been extinguished.
Resources:
CNKI "The Architect of the Ancient Village Who Michael Jackson Came to Repair the Old as Old in Zhongshan, Guangdong" - Tong Xin
https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=_6cC4UgRj8RLPpTZ-2FZqKQbgInQEnAbwGLZhhAVw6tmHXX66129gGJwgMzodT3Q0oBC7NlP3FKm_OJGijWD-0ZgdI2f0WDj9hjbDpK4jQopB6A41h2BwGxgZsdZ17-Y7EsIwLme72pMqGc-KMJbVA==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS