[Concurrent] Song Yilang, executor of Zhang Ailing's estate
When Zhang Ailing passed away, her inheritance was handed over to my parents.
My father died first.
In 2003, my mother suffered a stroke in Hong Kong, so I rushed back from the United States to take care of her.
My mother was the one who dealt with Zhang Ailing’s inheritance at the time. Since she was ill, I took over.
[Commentary] A pair of thin-rimmed glasses and a striped shirt. As the son of Zhang Ailing’s best friend Song Qi and his wife, Song Yilang, the executor of Zhang Ailing’s estate, was interviewed by a reporter from China News Agency in Hong Kong a few days ago, telling about his indissoluble bond with Zhang Ailing.
In 1952, Zhang Ailing came to Hong Kong from Shanghai and met the famous scholar and red scholar Song Qi and his wife Kuang Wenmei.
During her stay in Hong Kong, Zhang Ailing and the Song family forged a deep friendship.
[Explanation] In 1955, Zhang Ailing left Hong Kong for the United States, and thus began a 40-year correspondence with Song Qi and his wife.
In these 700 letters, Zhang Ailing discussed literary creation and publishing business, and also recorded the trivial matters of life in the United States. In the words between the lines, the creations behind such masterpieces as "Lust Caution", "Little Reunion", and "Young Marshal" were presented. History and unique insight into the world.
[Concurrent] Song Yilang, executor of Zhang Ailing's estate
What helps me a lot is actually that there are a lot of letters at home. The Collection of Letters by Zhang Ailing has almost 1,000 pages and 600,000 words.
(Zhang Ailing in the letter) What I said to my dad is work, that is, what essays or novels should be gathered in this book, or how much copyright should be charged for filming, is a business issue.
What I said to my mother is personal, friends, and health, which is another matter.
[Explanation] In September 1995, Zhang Ailing passed away in the United States, leaving all her estate to Song Qi and his wife in her will.
After the death of Song Qi and his wife, Song Yilang inherited all of Zhang Ailing's literary heritage.
In 2010, Song Yilang selected part of the content from more than 700 letters and compiled it into "The Private Quotations of Zhang Ailing".
In September 2020, Song Yilang compiled more than 700 letters into a collection of letters, which were divided into two volumes, "Short Love and Long Paper" and "Books Are Not Full of Words" and published.
As the son of a close friend, Song Yilang is often asked about his impression of Zhang Ailing, but in his memory, he has only met Zhang Ailing twice.
[Concurrent] Song Yilang, executor of Zhang Ailing's estate
The first time (meeting her) was in the 1950s. From 1952 to 1955, she met me. She had some words. She once talked about me, how can a child lie to him when taking medicine? It's sugar.
I have no memory, because I was five years old at that time. The second time I saw her was in 1962 (year). She came to Hong Kong to write a script and lived near our home, so sometimes she would come to eat.
[Explanation] Because of her young age at that time, Song Yilang's memory of Zhang Ailing is more derived from the few words of her family.
[Concurrent] Song Yilang, executor of Zhang Ailing's estate
My sister's impression of her (Zhang Ailing) is that this woman is very nearsighted, but she doesn't like wearing glasses, so she (always) squinted her eyes.
The workers in our family said, besides eating with our family, did Miss Zhang buy and eat by herself?
It is said that Miss Zhang may have a stomach problem. The bread is not eaten right away when it is bought, but it will be eaten overnight until it is harder.
[Explanation] In recent years, Song Yilang has often appeared in the public eye as the heir of Zhang Ailing's literary heritage.
Under his promotion, Zhang Ailing's works such as "Little Reunion" and "Young Marshal" came out and met with readers.
At the end of the interview, Song Yilang bluntly stated that there should be no new works by Zhang Ailing in the future.
Regarding his publishing work for more than ten years, Song Yilang said frankly that although he has little regrets, he is already satisfied.
[Concurrent] Song Yilang, executor of Zhang Ailing's estate
In fact, there will be almost no new works.
Don't think about it, there are still some legendary so-called "Zhang Ailing's last posthumous works", and there won't be any.
I may not feel that I did a bad job, but for a period of time, I will feel it in hindsight. After the matter is over, I will say, if I was like this at the time, it would be fine. There are some things I think you told me to do it again. , I will use a different approach.
Reporter Fan Siyi reports from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Tian Bochuan]