〈A Love Letter from Lhasa〉13

by Chen Ching-Yang

25 – Hall’s Test for the Two

01
At Disney’s executive meeting, CEO Hall and department heads discussed launching the Greater China Series 3 after Mulan and Kung Fu Panda.

Animation director John Smith called in Suli-Min, head of the Character Placement team and chief examiner of the animator training program.

Hall said, “Su, the creative team has proposed several character concepts. Pick two that you intuitively think will succeed at the box office in Greater China and boost merchandise sales.”

On screen were options:

1. Wise Rulers: Han Wu, Tang Taizong, Ming Chengzu, Sun Yat-sen
2. Heroes: Meng Tian, Huo Qubing, Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang, Sun Li-jen
3. Religious Leaders: Huineng, Tsangyang Gyatso, Hong Xiuquan
4. Writers: Du Fu, Li Houzhu, Lu You, Xu Zhimo

Suli-Min circled Sun Li-jen and Tsangyang Gyatso.

Hall asked her reasoning. She explained Sun Li-jen’s historical significance, dramatic life story, and cultural acceptance. Tsangyang Gyatso’s romantic and rebellious life also had dramatic tension.

Hall asked which should be prioritized; Suli-Min suggested presenting both for evaluation. Hall was impressed, applauded, and entrusted Suli-Min with the preliminary work.

When asked what support she needed, she replied, “Tang Huai-Min. I want him as my partner.”

Smith questioned, “He’s new, still in training. Can he handle it?”
Hall smiled mysteriously: “Tang is a rare genius, familiar with these subjects, and grew up in Tibet.”

She requested one year to complete the projects; Hall granted 13 months, with the remainder as vacation.

02
After the meeting, Suli-Min hadn’t returned to the animation department, but Emily relayed the news to Huai-Min:
“Bingo! Tang, you hit the jackpot!”

Huai-Min, puzzled: “Emily, I never buy lottery tickets. Are you joking?”
Emily explained Hall appointed Suli-Min and specifically requested him as her partner.

Huai-Min froze, then asked, “What should I prepare?”
“Camera, DSLR, high-end video camera, and personal items.”
“What about schoolwork and family?”
“Arrange leave from school and reassure your wife and child.”

Huai-Min felt electrified by the news.

03
When Suli-Min entered the animation department, colleagues applauded and congratulated her. Huai-Min remained at his desk, focused on drawing.

Suli-Min made a call. “Huai-Min, it’s me.”
“Hmm! Senshi.”
“You’re upset?”
“No, just… surprised.”
“I’ll treat you to coffee during afternoon tea.”
“All right.” Huai-Min reluctantly agreed.

She added playfully, “Don’t be stubborn. I’m not a wicked witch, okay?”
Huai-Min thought back to that night in Seattle, wondering whether to tell Annie about the incident or pretend it never happened.

04
During afternoon tea, Suli-Min and Huai-Min sat in a café corner. People glanced at them occasionally.

“I got the Greater China Project A3, Min-Di.”
“Senshi, can I think for a few days?”
“Consider what?”
“I don’t know, I can’t answer immediately.”

Suli-Min pressed, asking if he was troubled by the events in Seattle. He nodded, saying they shouldn’t be alone again.
“You worry about losing control? Worry it might come out?”
“All of it,” he smiled bitterly.

Suli-Min said firmly, “Don’t cut me now, or you’ll be out at the company later.”
“I need time,” he whispered.
“Three days,” she agreed, and left after paying.

Huai-Min stared out at the skyline, mind blank.

05
At home, Huai-Min and Annie ate dinner.

“You said you’d be back for dinner, so I cooked.” Annie served lamb ribs.
“Annie, Director Su got Project A3.”
“That’s great! Show them what you can do.”
“I have some concerns about traveling…”
“I understand. If worried about me alone, invite your sister. Or… other concerns?” Annie guessed.
Huai-Min nodded.

Annie laughed: “Boys! You’re worried about being alone with her?”
“I’m not frivolous!” he protested.
“I know, so even if you slip, I understand. We have a lifetime together.”
“That adds pressure!” he said.

“Relax and focus on your career. I’ll be your strongest support,” Annie said.
“Weekend, accompany me to the hospital for an ultrasound.”
“No problem!”

06
At the OB-GYN clinic, Huai-Min observed couples and expectant mothers. He felt the pull of family as he prepared to travel.

Annie came out. “Baby’s fine?”
“Yes, doctor said diet control is important; it’s a boy.”
“Boy or girl, as long as mother and child are safe.”
“Let’s go pick fruit while you’re here; I can’t climb well.”
“No problem; that’s my job.”

07
In the office, Huai-Min focused on storyboards. Suli-Min approached: “Your decision?”
“My wife wants me to go with you.”
“She understands priorities!”
“I’m still in training; colleagues might gossip.”
“I’ll oversee your training work the whole way.”
“Really?”
“Of course! I’m your examiner. I’ll report your progress to the company.”
“Then when do we leave?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“Already?”
“Tickets booked three days ago. Expenses prepaid. Be on time today; I’ll call at noon tomorrow.”

Huai-Min thought, Senshi is so confident I’ll agree.

Suli-Min received an email from Tang Mengying, debated whether to inform her about the night in Seattle, deciding to delay disclosure to avoid affecting Huai-Min’s work.

Chapter 26: Huai-min and Li-min’s Business Trip to Tibet

01
Tang Aiyu received Annie’s email and was as happy as a prisoner granted a pardon. She immediately showed her phone to her parents.
Losang said seriously, “You’re just going to accompany your elder sister-in-law, but don’t wander around once you get there.”
Meilan added, “Yes! You have to follow her instructions and not throw a tantrum.”
Aiyu cupped her hands respectfully: “Yes! Your humble servant obeys.”
Losang instructed, “Go pack your luggage and book your flight. I’ll drive you to the airport.”
Aiyu raised her hand dramatically: “Father, please provide travel funds and provisions!”
Losang laughed and scolded: “I’m sending you to California on vacation; you still want travel funds and provisions? Just the round-trip ticket.”
Meilan smiled: “Let her be! She might stay until Annie finishes her confinement period.”
Losang said, “Alright, for the sake of our golden grandson, I won’t quibble with you.”

02
Su Limin and Tang Huaimin arrived at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. They found a nearby hotel to stay overnight before connecting to a flight to Chengdu the next day. Su Limin had cut her hair into a stylish short boyish style, wore a man’s shirt and jeans, and had no makeup on. She still looked like a girl, just younger.

In the hotel room, Huaimin spread a map across the desk and pointed at it: “Tomorrow in Chengdu, we’ll first visit my father-in-law, Zaxi. He should have received my email.”
“And then?”
“My father-in-law will prepare a list and send the information back to my wife in California.”
“Okay, and after that?”
“Zaxi will accompany us as we drive into Tibet.”
“By train?”
“No, we’ll take a local guide’s passenger-and-cargo vehicle.”
Limin asked curiously, “Why not by train? It’s icy and snowy there this season, and the mountain roads must be treacherous.”
“Don’t worry. The guide knows the roads well. With his truck, we can stop at many scenic spots and do field research along the way.”
“Alright, that makes sense.”
“Do you get altitude sickness, Sister Min?”
“I think I’ll be fine. I’ve been in a hot-air balloon before.”
Huaimin laughed: “That’s not the same thing!”
Limin replied casually, “Anyway, my body will adapt on its own.”
Huaimin said, “I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight.”
Limin giggled: “What? Afraid you’ll get overpowered again?”
Huaimin smiled wryly: “Better to be cautious than regret it.”

03
Outside Chengdu Airport’s departure hall, Zaxi and Zhang Yang craned their necks to watch the arriving passengers.
Zhang Yang pointed: “Professor, Gesang and the woman have come out.”
They went forward, and Zhang Yang took over the luggage trolley.
“Father, this is my company supervisor, Su Limin. She’s from Taiwan, same as me.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Su. I’m Zangyang Zaxi, a professor at Chengdu University of the Arts.” Zaxi extended his hand to Limin.
Limin clasped her hands in a respectful gesture: “I’ve long admired you, Professor! The presence of the descendant of the monk Zangyang is extraordinary.”
“Miss Su is exceptional and generous in assisting my son-in-law. I should help as much as I can, but I have several academic conferences coming up and can’t leave. I’ll prepare the materials in a list and have them ready for you before departure. Zhang Yang will accompany you on the Tibet trip. After spring, I’ll fly to Lhasa to meet you.”
Limin said: “Professor, we truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to help us.”

The four reached the entrance. Zhang Yang and Huaimin loaded the luggage onto a van and left the airport.

04
Zaxi led Su Limin and Tang Huaimin (Gesang) into Chengdu University of the Arts. The campus was spacious, with tidy modern buildings. Among the modern teaching blocks, old stone arch bridges and waterside landscaping remained, giving a cultural touch.
Su Limin admired: “This university is impressive. Each college has its own architectural style. I expected it to resemble Berkeley or Long Beach, with classical charm, but these are stunning modern buildings.”
Zaxi smiled: “Over the past twenty years, China has completely transformed, presenting the new image of a modern country.”

The three arrived at the School of Arts and entered Zaxi’s office. He immediately brewed tea, while Limin was captivated by the books and art albums on three walls, only returning to reality when Huaimin lightly tapped her shoulder. She sat at the tea table.
“Miss Su, I’ve preliminarily filtered a batch of materials about our ancestor Zangyang Jia-cuo. If more is needed, please let me know.” Zaxi handed her a list.
After reviewing it, Limin said: “This will do for now. Thank you, Professor.”
“Please enjoy the tea, Miss Su.”
Limin lifted the cup: “This brown tea must be Yunnan Pu’er?”
“Yes. The milk tea Tibetans drink is also mixed with Pu’er,” Zaxi said. “The weather along the way will be freezing, so I instructed Zhang Yang to carry stoves to prepare milk tea and hot food for warmth.”
Limin cupped her hands in gratitude: “Professor, you’ve considered everything. Thank you sincerely.”

05
Annie’s van returned home. Tang Aiyu stepped out, gazing at the two-story wooden house. The small front yard, enclosed by a short fence, had lush green grass, and a corner of the yard held a farm plot with strawberries heavy with red and green fruit.
Aiyu exclaimed: “Sister-in-law, your house is like a fairy tale!”
Annie opened the trunk: “Remember your luggage. I can’t help you right now.”
“Ha! I almost forgot the luggage with this view before me.” Aiyu retrieved her luggage and followed Annie through the front yard into the living room.
“Wow! Sister-in-law, a fireplace!”
“Yes, but we rarely use it unless it snows.”
“Americans really value comfortable, spacious homes—it feels like paradise.”
“Suburban houses are detached with yards in between. You get privacy and avoid disturbing neighbors,” Annie explained. “Your room is on the second floor. There are two—pick one.”
“Sister-in-law, you said there’s a row of apple and cherry trees in the backyard?”
“Take your luggage upstairs, open the back window, and you’ll see them.”
“Okay!” Aiyu smiled, satisfied: “Later I’ll come down and learn to make jam with you.”

Aiyu carried her luggage upstairs, picked a guest room, and pushed open the back window. Sure enough, a row of fruit trees heavy with produce immediately captivated her.

06
Under the apple trees, Tang Aiyu carried a long aluminum ladder and a plastic woven bag on her back. She set up the ladder, climbed to the top, and sat astride with one hand holding a harvesting pole.
“If it were my brother, he’d climb up barehanded.”
“Yes! Huai-min is agile as a monkey. He harvested last weekend already.”

Aiyu used the harvesting pole to pull branches and slipped apples into yellow paper bags, quickly filling one bag. She then suspended the bag with the pole for Annie to take.
“We can harvest in two more rounds before the Lunar New Year. In previous years, we did three. This year’s yield is good.”
Aiyu praised: “Sister-in-law, you’re clever using different colored bags—it saves a lot of work.”
“Yes! My brother thought of it, but he was busy when bagging.”

The two women worked most of the morning. Over ten bags of apples and cherries piled on the lawn.
Aiyu placed her hands on her hips: “This is satisfying, Sister-in-law. This pile must be over 400 kg—it’ll keep us busy for four or five days.”
“If I weren’t busy with my thesis, I could handle 150 kg alone in a day.”
“Then teach me first; I can help more.”
Annie smiled: “Let’s work together—it’ll be twice as fast.”
Aiyu curiously asked: “Four hundred kilos can make how many jars of jam? How much money?”
“Six hundred 600g jars, selling for $2,600 USD.”
“Wow! Almost 80,000 TWD! Minus costs?”
“About 50,000 TWD,” Annie calculated.
“Still a lot!” Aiyu said. “I work 14 hours a day in the mountains for 30,000 TWD a month.”

07
Zhang Yang’s van left Chengdu, heading south toward Ya’an. The scenery shifted from rain to snow, and as altitude increased, heavy snow fell.

In the back seat, Su Limin leaned against Tang Huaimin (Gesang), falling asleep from the cold and motion sickness. Zhang Yang noticed them through the rearview mirror, puzzled: “What’s the deal between Gesang and this woman?” He gradually relaxed and passed the time listening to music.

Arriving in Ya’an near dusk, Limin, freezing, was carried down by Gesang. The three entered a restaurant. Feeling the warmth, Limin revived.
Gesang called: “Boss, three bowls of butter tea first.”
A waiter shouted back: “Yes, front table, three bowls of butter tea.”
Gesang handed the menu to Limin: “Sister Min, the menu.”
“You order! I just need something warm,” she said weakly.

They ordered several dishes. After drinking a bowl of tea, Limin felt warm. Soon, the waiter brought sweet wine, meat soup, milk residue cakes, baked pastries, and roasted lamb.
Zhang Yang said: “We needn’t rush. Miss Su might not handle it well.”
Gesang said: “Tonight, we’ll stay in Ya’an, wait a day or two until the snow eases.” He poured Limin some sweet wine: “Drink some after eating; it’ll warm you up.”
“I didn’t expect it to be this cold,” Limin smiled wryly: “I thought I could endure it. Huaimin, thank you for letting me lean on you all the way.”
“Try some Tibetan food,” Gesang said. “When in Rome, right?”

They ate. Limin asked: “This pastry is tasty. What’s it called?”
“Milk residue cake,” Zhang Yang replied. “Girls usually love it.”

08
At night, the three huddled in a heated room, sipping barley wine.
Limin asked: “Is it always this cold in winter?”
Zhang Yang: “Not really; it’s warmer without snow.”
Limin: “The US Great Lakes region doesn’t feel this cold.”
Zhang Yang: “High altitude and wind make it feel colder.”

Curious, Limin asked: “Do the cattle and sheep have fresh grass in winter?”
Zhang Yang explained: “It depends on whether it’s fenced or free-range. Farmers with fenced livestock store dried hay for winter. Free-range herders move animals to lower valleys with some forage.”

Limin asked: “If we have time, can you take me to see herders move cattle and sheep down the mountains?”
“Sure! Once the snow stops, I’ll take you to nearby herders.”

Limin teased Huaimin: “Thinking of your wife? You’re quiet.”
Gesang smiled: “She must be busy harvesting fruit and making jam.”

Gesang asked Zhang Yang: “When will you and Meiduo marry?”
Zhang Yang: “She wants me to wait until she’s admitted to a PhD program.”
Limin sighed: “Good men are all taken early…”
Zhang Yang laughed: “Miss Su, there are plenty of good men; it depends if you want to settle down.”
Limin: “Settle down? You need someone equally matched, right?”
Zhang Yang wisely said: “Then… I won’t decide that for you, Miss Su.”

09
After the snow, the sun revealed a snow-covered grassland, with over a thousand cattle and sheep grazing, split into two herds. Several herding teams wandered among them.

Su Limin took photos with a digital camera, Tang Huaimin filmed with a digital video camera, and Zhang Yang followed, holding the microphone boom for sound recording.

After a break, Huaimin packed the camera and microphone into a suitcase.
Zhang Yang asked: “Gesang, you’re a videographer?”
“Not exactly, just a temporary role,” Huaimin replied, busy with the equipment.
“Which US film company do you work for?”
“Disney Animation.”
Zhang Yang exclaimed: “Disney? That’s huge! Amazing!”
“I’m a trainee animator, still in the probation stage.”
“Probation stage?”
“Still a trial period, not a full animator yet.”
“Miss Su, you’re his supervisor?”
“Yes, and we’re both from Taiwan.”
Zhang Yang laughed sheepishly: “Oh! At first I thought…”
“No problem, Zhang Yang,” Huaimin closed the suitcase.

Zhang Yang asked: “How’s Annie now?”
“We’re married. She’s writing her PhD and will become a mother next May.”
“Oh!” Zhang Yang smiled wryly: “You two really suit each other.”
“Zhang Yang, when you and Meiduo marry, let me know. If time permits, Annie and I will come to congratulate you.”
Zhang Yang patted Huaimin’s shoulder: “Thanks! With that, I’ll consider you, Gesang, a good friend.”
Huaimin: “Sister Min, you’ve taken enough footage. Let’s head back to the city.”