Chapter 37: The Unexpected Visitor

"Professor Lin, I believe this song requires a female voice with a slender, delicate quality to truly capture the feeling you desire. Whether it is the passage 'Snow stains the myriad splendors, the temple niche sculpted by the tolling of bells,' or 'In an instant, vivid shadows and flickering light reflect upon the palace, mistakenly asking what year this is tonight,' none of these lines are suited for a male voice. If Mr. Mei..."

Meng Xiaodong realized she had slipped. By "Mr. Mei," she meant Mei Lanfang, the foremost of the Four Great Dan actors and her former husband.

"How about this, Mr. Lin? If you could wait a moment, I will find Gu Zhengqiu to sing it for you. She happens to be in Hong Kong right now. Gu is a female Dan actress; she would be perfect for this. I only wonder if you might mind—she used to perform on the island and has lived there for quite some time. Though, she only performed there and has no other affiliations."

Lin Ran had actually realized this issue as well. Upon hearing Meng sing, he noted that although her technique was top-tier, there was a disconnect with the song's intended expression. The explanation clarified why.

Peking Opera performers are categorized by roles. Meng Xiaodong was a *Kun Sheng*—a female performer playing male roles—possessing a voice that was entirely masculine. Conversely, *Dan* actors, especially male *Dan*, were the opposite: men with feminine voices. There were female *Dan* but no male *Kun*; since men playing male roles belonged to the *Sheng* category, the distinction was clear.

Meng Xiaodong mentioned Gu Zhengqiu's background out of caution, fearing that involving her might lead to misunderstandings. It was obvious that Professor Lin intended to remain a "bystander," and she worried that bringing in a performer from the island might cause him trouble or conflict with his own considerations.

Initially, Meng had only a vague impression of this young, talented Chinese-American professor. After hearing "The Bystander," her perception shifted. To call him immensely talented was an understatement; from her perspective, the song practically pioneered a new genre. It was hard to imagine such a piece written by someone raised overseas. Lin Ran’s background, as reported in Hong Kong media, cited official American sources—educated in Europe, famous in North America. Thus, her concern was not sycophancy, but a respect for his talent; she felt such a song deserved the proper treatment. Therefore, Gu Zhengqiu, the most brilliant *Dan* actress currently in Hong Kong, was the first person who came to mind.

Lin Ran considered this and found no issue with it. If he could accept a visiting professorship at the "exiled" Tsinghua University, having Gu Zhengqiu sing a song was hardly a problem. "Very well."

"Should we schedule this for another day, Professor Lin, or will you wait a while while I go invite her?" Meng asked.

"There is no time like the present," Lin replied.

"Understood. Please, make yourself comfortable."

Shortly after Meng left, a servant approached Lin Ran. "Professor Lin, Mr. Zhang has been waiting outside for some time and would like to see you."

"Mr. Zhang?"

"Zhang Shizhao."

Lin realized who it was. He had seen the name in files regarding Meng Xiaodong; Zhang had come from across the river to persuade her to return. For those unfamiliar, Zhang Shizhao was the grandfather of Hung Huang, whose former husband was the famous director behind *Farewell My Concubine*. Lin guessed immediately that the servant had likely informed Zhang of his arrival, which explained his presence. Since reaching Hong Kong, Lin had attended a banquet at the University of Hong Kong but otherwise spent his days teaching and his nights sequestered on campus.

"Show him in," Lin said, deciding it would be a good opportunity for the man to hear his carefully prepared *The Bystander*.

"Professor Lin, I have long admired your reputation. I am Zhang Shizhao..." The man was dressed in a traditional long gown, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.

Zhang was perplexed. After the initial pleasantries, no matter how he hinted at the purpose of his visit, Lin remained unresponsive, offering only a polite smile and stating he would wait for Meng Xiaodong to return. Zhang knew that if Meng returned and found him there, she would instantly know the servant had acted behind her back, further souring his already difficult task. Yet, leaving now would expose the servant, and he was unwilling to give up; his orders were to do everything possible to convince Lin to return to the mainland. In the eyes of the Chinese authorities, if Meng Xiaodong’s value was one, Lin Ran’s potential impact was off the charts. Zhang had already offered the limit of his authority: the position of Dean of the Mathematics Department at Peking University, with an invitation to visit and decide later. But the man was impenetrable, neither accepting nor refusing.

Zhang sat on the sofa, restless, unable to fathom Lin’s game. Lin, meanwhile, was equally constrained. While he had the advantage of information, he was not omniscient. He didn't know the true nature of his visitors, their affiliations, or the loyalties of the servants. He didn't dare speak loosely; Hong Kong was simply too sensitive.

When Meng returned with Gu Zhengqiu, the four in the living room were all occupied with their own thoughts. Gu, however, seemed the most detached; like Meng, she was immediately struck by the sheet music and couldn't help but hum along.

Upon hearing the title, *The Bystander*, Zhang’s heart skipped a beat. "The Bystander? Is he using this song to declare his stance? I’ve never seen such a method of expression."

Was "The rich, heavy ink of the entire Tang" an allusion to the glorious history of Chinese civilization? Was "In an instant, vivid shadows and flickering light reflect upon the palace" a comment on their ideals being as illusory as bubbles? What did "The light dance of the Hu Xuan, where do the lamps lie in eternal sleep?" mean? And "Snow stains the myriad splendors, the temple niche sculpted by the tolling of bells; departing into the dust to drink at the feast"—what was he saying? Did "The red cheeks have changed, why is the brilliance of the cave paintings of old no longer seen?" imply that compared to history, the golden age of the Tang was gone?

Yet, the final line, "Waking up to play the bystander," Zhang understood clearly. The man’s stance was firm; he would not accept the invitation.

The melancholic melody of the song, rendered exquisitely by Gu Zhengqiu’s voice, left a deep impression. Zhang could not even remember how he left Meng’s home; his mind was filled with the lyrics, fruitlessly attempting to decipher their full meaning.

Before leaving, Lin Ran entrusted Meng and Gu: "I have an interview with Radio Hong Kong this Friday. I implore you both to have the recording finished by then. Whether or not to add classical Chinese instruments to enhance the cultural essence is entirely up to you two experts."

Lin then took an envelope from his suit pocket and handed it to Meng. "This is for the band or the musicians. If it is not enough, you may find me at the University of Hong Kong's Mathematics Department at any time. As for your own compensation, I have planned for 200 dollars. How does that sound?"