A Love Letter from Lhasa 30

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.