〈A Love Letter from Lhasa〉15

by Chen Ching-Yang

Chapter 29: Hall Entrusts a Great Responsibility to Tang Huaimin

01
At the Tang family home in the Dabang tribe of Alishan, the father, Rosang, received an email from his son Huaimin.

Rosang called out, “Honey, Huaimin has emailed us.”

Tang Meilan, hearing him, put down her work and entered the study.

“Huaimin says he and Annie are in Lhasa, staying there to finish the company-assigned movie script.”

Meilan, puzzled, asked, “How come Annie went to Lhasa instead of staying in California?”

“Read the email yourself,” Rosang said, making space for her to sit.

After reading, Meilan said, “Annie has already been there over a month and just now informs us. What’s Aiyu doing staying in California?”

Rosang guessed, “Probably Annie wants Aiyu to stay behind and help watch the house.”

Meilan complained, “That child should have told us in advance.”

Rosang smiled. “Aiyu probably feared being called back.”

Meilan sighed lightly, “Daughters, once released, are like birds flying away… sigh.”

She added, “As long as Huaimin is there to take care of her, I feel reassured that Annie can give birth and do her postpartum recovery there.”

02
A delivery man brought a box of books. Annie signed and paid, then opened it to find all original-language books.

Huaimin curiously asked, “What’s in this box?”

“Movie scripts and books on screenwriting, purchased online,” Annie explained.

“I see! You want to learn how to write movie scripts.”

Annie smiled. “Exactly! To do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools. We’ll study together and quickly understand scriptwriting techniques.”

The couple scheduled reading and study order, going through each book, taking notes, and consulting professional dictionaries for difficult terms.

Zhang Yang and Meiduo handled their meals. Every two days, Zhang Yang went to the market according to Meiduo’s shopping list, and she cooked. Late-stage pregnant Annie preferred light flavors.

“Meiduo, yak, lamb, lamb chops, and fresh fish are here,” Zhang Yang said, holding two large bags of ingredients.

“Meat goes in the fridge; vegetables I’ll handle,” Meiduo replied while washing herbs. “Dinner will be ginseng stew and steamed lamb for Annie. You and Gesang have braised beef and roasted lamb chops—don’t compete with the pregnant lady.”

“Got it!” Zhang Yang asked, “Are the couple still in the study?”

Meiduo reminded, “Yes! They’re reading. Don’t disturb them.”

03
After lunch, Huaimin accompanied Annie for a walk in the nearby park.

“Lately, every day feels very fulfilling.”

“Once the script is finished, we’ll return to California. You can continue your studies; with rich knowledge and professional skills, you’ll have a firm standing in your career.”

“Annie, I understand!” Huaimin smiled. “You want me to succeed in the future—you’re thinking for me.”

Annie touched her belly. “This little one is born in Lhasa—it seems fate.”

“We haven’t thought of a name yet!”

“Leave it to Dad,” Annie smiled. “He’s been looking forward to continuing the Tsangyang family line.”

Huaimin said, “Alright! He’s Tibetan; he should know his roots.”

04
Annie began writing the animation script, but Huaimin, the “strategist,” struggled to contribute to story development.

“Annie, I’m sorry. I’m not good at plotting the story,” Huaimin admitted.

Annie understood. “That’s okay! Everyone has their talent. You’ve never trained in writing; plus, screenwriting has its own professional threshold.”

“I’ve delayed your doctoral research for my work.”

“It’s fine! The topics are related. As I gradually grasp the key points of movie scriptwriting, it unexpectedly helps my doctoral work.”

Huaimin laughed. “Really? You’re not writing your dissertation as a script, are you?”

“Of course not, but scripts use camera perspectives for each scene. This view helps me rethink Tsangyang Gyatso’s love poems and life events, merging them when necessary.”

“Necessary merging? You mean…”

“I plan to adjust my dissertation framework to present Tsangyang’s life with screenplay techniques, inserting his love poems in story sections. This gives a vivid picture, not just rhetorical analysis,” Annie explained.

“Oh? That’s a bit like Broadway musicals.”

“Indeed, like a musical. Disney’s Mulan and Pocahontas have musical segments,” Annie said. “I plan to insert a few of his love poems to show his romantic life and inner world. Although he was a living Buddha, he had human desires. However, my dissertation title may need adjustment, which I’ll explain to my advisor…”

05
Annie’s scriptwriting improved steadily. Huaimin, though not much help, drew character designs and key story scenes like the Potala Palace and Namtso Lake, referencing the story outline.

Two months later, the script draft and character designs were nearly finished. Huaimin emailed them to Hall, with the script credited to “Tsangyang Annie.”

Annie delivered a full-term baby boy. Zaxi retired early from the university and returned to Lhasa. Holding his grandson, Zaxi felt complete and named him Tsangyang Gyatso Lhasa.

Meiduo carefully cared for Annie and the baby during her postpartum recovery.

Zaxi used his retirement fund to rebuild the Tsangyang family home. Annie contributed private funds. Huaimin assisted in building design and accompanied his father-in-law to purchase materials. Zhang Yang helped recruit workers.

After Annie’s recovery, construction began. Zaxi supervised personally. The first and second floors were planned as a café serving Alishan tea, attracting tourists and scholars. Zaxi and Zhang Yang managed operations.

06
Hall received Huaimin’s email and forwarded it to the script and animation departments for follow-up.

Su Limin returned to Disney with her collected General Sun Liren materials and handed them to the creative department. Hall then summoned her.

Calmly, Hall asked, “Do you know why I called you here, Director Su?”

Su Limin, thinking she’d be rewarded for completing Tsangyang’s outline and General Sun research, proudly said, “Sir, I finished the company-assigned tasks ahead of schedule—it’s what I should do.”

Sensing she still didn’t know the truth, Hall said, “Su, both you and Tang are talents I discovered. I have expectations for you both.”

Su Limin smiled. “Thank you, sir, for your trust and guidance.”

Suddenly serious, Hall asked, “But you did one thing wrong. Do you know what it is?”

Startled, Su Limin stammered, “Sir… what do you mean?”

Pointing at her, Hall scolded, “You took the hard work of Tang Huaimin and his wife as your own. This behavior is utterly unacceptable!”

Realizing she had been found out, Su Limin lowered her head and whispered, “Sir, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been greedy. I sincerely reflect and apologize.” Tears welled in her eyes.

“Good. Since you admit your mistake, I accept your apology. From today, you return to your original post and await company disposition. The Greater China A3 project will be entrusted to Tang Huaimin and his wife.”

07
Su Limin returned to the animation department, her face dark. Most colleagues, except Minister Smith, didn’t know the truth, yet many congratulated her, making her feel even more embarrassed. Su Limin, overwhelmed, said:

“Thank you all for your concern…”

Colleagues noticed her unusual reaction. Some cautiously asked questions; others gossiped privately.

Feeling dejected, Su Limin sat at her desk and cried quietly. She felt deeply hurt at losing Hall’s trust but blamed Tang Huaimin and Annie:

“You couple ruined my plan! Huaimin, since you’ve wronged me, I won’t spare you two. I’ll make you quarrel, and your reputation will be destroyed!”

Wiping her tears, she opened her laptop and emailed her sister Tang Mengying:

Dear Mengying,
Back in California. How’s life in Paris?
Huaimin has lost his usefulness. I’ll deal with him step by step to help you achieve revenge.
Good news will come soon!
Your sister, Su Limin

08
The couple returned home in California with the baby. Aiyu breathed a sigh of relief, holding and playing with the infant.

“Big brother, this little guy’s features look like movie star Tom Cruise.”

Huaimin laughed. “Haha! My classmates used to say the same; my nickname was ‘Ah Tom!’”

Annie joked, “Good thing you didn’t say he looked like Zhu Ge Liang.”

Aiyu laughed in surprise. “Sister-in-law, you know Zhu Ge Liang too?”

“Of course! Watched his variety shows in Taiwan—he’s hilarious.”

Aiyu boasted, “Sister-in-law, I planted some millet and barley on the farm.”

“I saw it when I entered,” Annie smiled. “How’s your language center course?”

Aiyu smiled, “Finished the first term. The second term starts next month.”

Huaimin asked, “Which department will you study next?”

Aiyu answered without hesitation, “Agriculture.”

Huaimin said, “I thought you disliked farming?”

“I don’t! I just don’t want to be treated like cheap labor,” she explained.

Huaimin smiled. “Good. If we travel again, having you as a capable helper makes us more at ease.”

Aiyu asked eagerly, “You two, traveling again?”

Annie smiled, “Your brother said ‘in the future,’ not immediately.”

09
When Tang Huaimin returned to the company, his colleagues whispered among themselves upon seeing him—everyone except Emily.

The moment Huaimin sat down, the internal phone rang. The secretary said that CEO Hall was calling him in.

Huaimin stood up, about to leave the office, but Emily reached out and blocked him: “Hi! Handsome Tang, how was Tibet?”

Huaimin smiled, raising Emily’s hands gently: “I’ll tell you later. The big boss wants to see me.”

Watching Huaimin walk away, Emily returned to her desk boredly.

Huaimin entered the CEO’s office. Hall stood up to greet him and reached out to hold Huaimin’s hands, leaving him pleasantly surprised.

“Tang, you’ve worked hard these past six months. You did very well,” Hall said warmly, smiling.

Huaimin bowed deeply: “Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to be tested and trained.”

“You really are talented! And your wife—both of you are outstanding,” Hall said, pulling an envelope from his suit pocket. “The company wants to leverage your talents and abilities to head the Shanghai branch. Inside this envelope is the official appointment from the board. You’ll go to Shanghai at the beginning of next month. I’ll assign Director Eisenhower from the Business Department to accompany you, help manage the branch, and assist you in executing the Greater China A3 project marketing in the Chinese market.”

Huaimin took the envelope, so astonished he could barely speak. After a long pause, he managed: “Sir, I will do my utmost and live up to your trust!”

Hall patted him on the shoulder: “Take a few days off to prepare. Bring your wife along. On the day you depart, the official order will be released.”

10
Walking down the corridor after leaving the office, Huaimin felt light as air.

He thought to himself, “I should keep this low-key, or my colleagues will make it the talk of the office again.”

Back at his desk, he began packing his stationery and supplies. Emily and a few junior animators from the C-level team curiously gathered around.

Emily noticed and asked with concern: “Hey, Tang, did you get fired?”

Huaimin shook his head: “No! The company is giving me special leave, so I’m just packing some stationery.”

Nearby, Suliman observed and thought to herself, “This guy definitely hit the jackpot! Old Hall is sending him to execute the Greater China A3 project—he’s probably going on a business trip to China.”

Suliman had only guessed the first half correctly, even though she was sharp.

“I’ll wait until he’s on the trip, then I’ll make my move!” Suliman had her plan ready, only waiting for the right moment.

Chapter 30: Shanghai Branch and Reunion with Mengying

01
Seeing Huaimin’s car at the door, Aiyu asked Anne suspiciously: “Big brother, sister-in-law, why are you back now?”

Anne, holding the baby, smiled: “It must be good news! Your brother might be getting promoted.”

“Oh? Really?” Aiyu said and went to the door.

Huaimin instructed: “There are two boxes of stationery in the trunk. Help me carry one.”

“Brother, you really got promoted?” Aiyu still doubted.

Huaimin beamed: “Did your sister-in-law tell you?”

Aiyu nodded: “Just now, when your car came back.”

Huaimin happily said: “Your sister-in-law is prophetic! Yes, I’ve been promoted. The company is sending me to Shanghai.”

The two siblings carried the stationery boxes into the living room. Anne had already learned from their conversation that Huaimin was being sent to Shanghai.

Anne asked: “When do you have to go?”

“Beginning of next month,” Huaimin replied. “And you’re coming with me.”

Anne was surprised: “I’m still working on my PhD thesis. How can I follow you to Shanghai?”

Huaimin beamed: “Hall specifically designated you as my special assistant. I’m the general manager of the Shanghai branch.”

Aiyu stuck out her tongue in surprise and stammered: “R-really? Is it true?”

“Of course it’s true!” Huaimin said. “Anne, these days, meet your advisor and finalize the thesis title change.”

Anne smiled: “Alright! I’ll organize my notes today and meet the professor and Uncle tomorrow.”

Aiyu complained: “Yesterday you said we wouldn’t go so soon. Today you say early next month to Shanghai.”

Huaimin patted Aiyu’s head: “It’s the bosses’ decision. I’ll need you to look after the house, Aiyu.”

02
Huaimin, Anne, their baby, and Director Eisenhower flew to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

After leaving the arrivals hall, they took a chauffeured car.

Eisenhower reported: “General Manager, Old Hall sent me here two months ago to select the site and prepare. He always emphasizes SOP.”

Huaimin was surprised: “Oh? So the boss… two months ago?”

“Yes, over two months ago. The temporary board approved establishing the Shanghai branch. Only first-level managers knew at the time. As for the person he preferred, my manager Thomas informed me recently.”

Anne smiled: “Hall really keeps secrets well.”

Eisenhower continued: “Before this, I only knew you and Director Suliman took over the Greater China A3 project. You left little impression on me.”

Huaimin suddenly remembered: “Why wasn’t Director Suliman sent to Shanghai?”

“I only know that the higher-ups told her to hand over the Greater China A3 project. She was also reassigned and no longer served as the animator assessor for the HR Training Department.”

Huaimin asked: “Oh? So she was demoted? For what reason?”

“Consider it a demotion,” Eisenhower said. “Even my little boss Thomas doesn’t know the reason.”

Huaimin thought of the story outline and email he sent Old Hall, but he still couldn’t figure out exactly what happened.

He looked at Anne, who cradled the baby with a mysterious smile: “I think I know the reason. I’ll tell you later.”

“From today on, you’re my little boss,” Eisenhower said. “Hall instructed me to discuss all matters with both of you. If the three of us disagree, Special Assistant Anne makes the final call.”

Huaimin bitterly smiled: “So in the boss’s mind, my wife is the ultimate decision-maker.”

03
Before Huaimin’s appointment was officially announced, Suliman learned from the chatty Emily that Huaimin would become GM of the Shanghai branch. Suliman immediately emailed Mengying, who was in Paris.

Mengying decided to give up her upcoming PhD offer from Paris Art University and returned to Taiwan.

In the Tang family mansion at Sun Moon Lake, Mengying tried to persuade her parents to let her go to Shanghai to apply to Disney as an animator.

Tang Yunfei tried to reason: “Mengying, your father understands your heart. Why are you making things so difficult for yourself?”

Mengying complained: “Dad, I originally wanted to go to Tibet with Huaimin, but I had to consider your career…”

Tang Yunfei, upset: “Huaimin, is he the only person you care about? Even if I misjudged him, daughter, don’t sacrifice a whole forest for a single tree! You have plenty of talented young men to choose from…”

Mengying interrupted: “Dad! Besides Huaimin, no other boy has accompanied me my whole life. My feelings for him cannot be replaced.”

Tang Yayun comforted: “Mengying, your father and I never opposed you being with Huaimin. No one wronged you. Just because he went to Tibet, doesn’t mean he’d forget his old love and move on.”

Tang Yunfei said irritably: “You gave up graduate school for him. Meanwhile, he married another woman, had a child, and climbed the corporate ladder to Shanghai. And you still want to follow him? Are you out of your mind?”

Mengying, eyes red, said firmly: “I refuse to accept this. I never wronged Huaimin. He shouldn’t treat me this way. I won’t accept it!”

Tang parents exchanged glances.

Tang Yayun sighed: “I don’t know what our Tang family owed the Tang family’s next generation to repay this way. Mengying, I’ll let you go to Shanghai, but you must promise to take care of yourself.”

Tang Yunfei asked: “Wife, are you really letting her go to Shanghai?”

Tang Yayun said: “Old man, you don’t understand her heart. Even if she can’t win back Huaimin, she insists on going. Can we really bind her to us?”

04
In Anne’s assistant office, there was a crib next to her desk. She watched the baby at all times.

The branch’s structure mirrored the head office but was much smaller. Department heads, all appointed by Hall, arrived three days later. This was a small, vibrant new company.

Emily was the animation department head and clicked well with Huaimin. She organized the animator candidates’ portfolios from the initial selection and presented them to Huaimin for screening and interviews.

Among the portfolios, Huaimin unexpectedly saw a familiar face: Tang Mengying, causing him great distress. He showed the file to Anne, frowning.

Anne teased with a smile: “Mengying still doesn’t want to give up on you. You must be charming!”

“Don’t tease me, Anne,” Huaimin said, scratching his head. “What should I do?”

Anne analyzed: “If you don’t want to get involved, you can eliminate her in the interview. But I hope you face her, be upright, and make her back off.”

Huaimin muttered: “I need to calm down and think clearly… think clearly.”

05
At the interview, Huaimin was uneasy, sipping water and dabbing his forehead.

Emily noticed and whispered: “GM, are you okay? Any discomfort?”

Huaimin straightened: “Didn’t sleep well last night. It’s nothing.”

When Tang Mengying’s turn came, she had her hair up, light makeup, and wore a pale yellow long skirt suit—elegant and dignified. Huaimin recognized it from a shopping trip the year before for her birthday.

Mengying sat for the interview, answering in English.

Eisenhower, reviewing her file, asked: “Miss Tang, your credentials show you were admitted to Paris Art University for a PhD. Why give up that chance to apply for this animator role?”

Mengying, looking sorrowful: “This question struck me like lightning, hitting an old wound.”

Her answer piqued Eisenhower and Emily’s curiosity. Huaimin frowned, expression icy.

Mengying recounted her heartbreak with her ex: “My fiancé grew up with me. To accompany him, I gave up music for art. He was a romantic-minded artist. We planned to study in Paris together… but he went to Tibet, then moved on with someone else.”

She paused, staring at Huaimin with sorrowful eyes.

Eisenhower and Emily, hearing “Tibet,” immediately connected the dots—Tang’s story seemed to reference GM Tang. Both glanced at Huaimin, who remained expressionless, frozen.

Mengying continued: “My ex married quickly and returned to California. I was in Paris, kept in the dark. Later, he joined your company and was quickly promoted…”

She dabbed her tears with a handkerchief, moving both Eisenhower and Emily.

Emily said: “Miss Tang, maybe you need a moment to compose yourself. We’ll continue shortly.”

Two assistants escorted Mengying to the lounge.

Eisenhower and Emily were certain: this was Huaimin’s ex-girlfriend. They whispered in a corner:

“Emmy, what should we do with her?”

Emily smiled: “It depends on the GM’s decision. We’re not going to oppose him deliberately, right?”

Eisenhower fretted: “But he’s been like a statue this whole time. I can’t read his mind!”

Emily said: “The evaluation form says: GM decides.”

Eisenhower shrugged: “Fine, I don’t want to step on a landmine.”

Huaimin sat like a statue until the two interviewers returned. Then he asked: “Do you think Miss Tang is capable for this position?”

They exchanged glances. Emily cautiously said: “Please decide, GM.”

Huaimin stamped “PASS” on her evaluation form, muttering awkwardly: “She passes; we can skip the second half.”

They nodded, understanding he wanted to keep the peace.

Huaimin stood, saying: “Ten-minute break.” He went to the balcony, lit a cigarette, ran his hand through his hair, exhaling smoke.

Emily, passing by to the restroom, noticed him smoking and thought: “GM smokes? I’ve never seen that before…”