Uncle Ji Kaifeng is 75 years old this year, and he is the "star" of the Guomao Ice Rink.
Some people call him "Lawrence International Trade," but he said: "I don't know Lawrence, and I don't like those foreign things."
For the past 21 years, regardless of wind or rain, at noon every day, Uncle Ji appeared on the ice rink on time.
In the past, he lived in Daxing, nearly 20 kilometers away, and took 3 hours to drive back and forth. Even so, Uncle Ji never stopped.
A few months ago, he suddenly became an internet celebrity on the ice rink due to media reports.
Every three to five, there will be "reporters" to "besieged and intercepted" him.
Uncle Ji Kaifeng danced on the ice.
Photo by Li Peiyun, China News Service
Although he didn't like to be disturbed, Uncle Ji showed up on time untouched.
He always wore a white shirt, gray pants, and a blue travel bag with heavy skates inside, which pressed his back a little.
Walking into the ice rink, Uncle Ji arrived at his own site, and no one of the staff here did not know him.
In the past 21 years, the employees of the ice rink have changed crop after crop. Only Uncle Ji, like an evergreen tree, stands on the ice.
The preparation work usually takes ten minutes.
He would change into skates that he had worn for more than ten years, then take out an old headset from his bag, hold a fan in his hand, and start practicing his new row of song "Walk in a Cool".
To be honest, Uncle Ji's sliding skills are not outstanding.
Stepping on the ice, stepping, turning upright... Some simple movements seem a bit "awkward" under the uncle's interpretation.
Although Uncle Ji started to practice speed skating at the age of 8, speed skating and figure skating are two different things.
Especially after getting old, Uncle Ji didn't have enough physical strength to pursue speed, so he changed to figure skating.
In this way, he can indulge in his dance.
The feeling of self-appreciation made Uncle Ji very satisfied. He didn't care that he couldn't do those difficult movements. He always said that he didn't like those skills.
For him, skating is just a way to exercise.
Xiao Wu and Uncle Ji took a group photo.
Photo by Xing Rui
After seeing Uncle Ji's story, many people came to the ice rink admiringly, hoping to see the true face of "Grandpa Lawrence".
On the day the reporter arrived at the ice rink, Xiao Wu from afar was practicing skating with Uncle Ji.
Xiao Wu said that he was touched by the old man's persistence in skating for decades, so he came to visit him from Wuhan.
Knowing that he is his own fan, Uncle Ji is very enthusiastic, and he can't wait to teach Xiao Wu what he has learned all his life.
When parting, give her the fan she practiced.
There are many ice fans like Xiao Wu.
According to the description of the ice rink staff, many people came from other places.
There is also a pair of mother and daughter. After seeing the report of Uncle Ji, the mother sent her daughter directly to learn to skate.
Uncle Ji who is intoxicated in skating.
Photo by Li Peiyun, China News Service
Speaking of his popularity, Uncle Ji couldn't understand.
He repeatedly asked people around him: "Is it too evil for me? It's too earth-shaking and unnecessary." But knowing that many people appreciate his perseverance, Uncle Ji deeply agrees: "How heavy is the rain? I’m here to skate. You say I’m not easy."
Uncle Ji is definitely a person with outstanding perseverance.
In his life, in addition to skating, there are many hobbies that have persisted for a long time.
Moral, intellectual, physical and artistic labor, the uncle has developed very comprehensively.
Uncle Ji has been skating all his life and playing the flute all his life. He can also swim, play table tennis, speak Russian... Now he is still learning to paint.
Usually, the uncle's life is regular and fulfilling: he paints at home in the morning, skates at noon, cleans up housework in the afternoon, and watches TV at home in the evening.
During the epidemic, the ice rink was closed for a while, and the suffocated uncle could only change to skipping rope.
Uncle Ji and his skates.
Photo by Li Peiyun, China News Service
On the day of the meeting, Uncle Ji, who had finished skating, was about to rush to an art class.
He changed his shoes neatly, carrying a big bag, and walking to the underground parking lot without looking back, looking for his transportation tool-a big red smart.
This car was bought by my wife before his death.
In order to follow his wife's wishes, Uncle Ji deliberately picked red: "If you want me to buy it, I will definitely buy black. But she is 5 years younger than me, should I follow her."
Last year, the wife who had accompanied Uncle Ji for 44 years left him, and only this car was left to accompany him to and from the familiar streets and lanes.
Both his wife and mother are supporters of Uncle Ji's skating, but they are no longer there.
My favorite son also passed away 30 years ago due to congenital heart disease.
Uncle Ji's photographic works.
Photo by Xing Rui
On the ice rink, there is a collection of photographs left by the uncle, and a bunch of medals won in previous competitions.
When he was young, Uncle Ji worked as a photographer for a period of time, and countless moments from 1972 to 2019 were treasured by him in the album.
But in this, there is no family photo.
The ice rink staff who knew him well said that every time a loved one left at home, the uncle would destroy his belongings: “Uncle will be sad to see it.”
However, people never seemed to read sadness on his face.
Sometimes, the uncle would also talk to the people around him about his deceased wife, his tone was calm.
In life, no one can escape the natural laws of birth, old age, sickness and death.
Skating can make Uncle Ji forget the sad things in the past for a while.
The small piece of paper in the pocket of Uncle Ji's pants recorded the movements to be practiced.
Photo by Xing Rui
As long as he stood on the ice, there was only a smile on his face.
He would squint his eyes and circle around the center of the ice rink, as if he was the protagonist of the audience.
Sometimes, he would suddenly stop and take out the note from his trouser pocket.
When he was old, Uncle Ji often couldn't remember his actions, so he wrote them down and took them to the ice rink.
Time took away his memory and his physical strength.
When he first started to learn figure skating, he could stay on the ice for 3 hours, and now this number is getting shorter and shorter.
After sliding for a while that day, Uncle Ji left in a hurry.
Before leaving, he showed off a period of Russian, to the effect: "I speak Russian very well, and I performed very well today."
In recent years, Uncle Ji started to learn English by himself again, and he always said that he was "happy and lucky".
He felt that skating brought him spiritual enjoyment. To have this kind of happiness is happiness and luck.
If there is failure in life, there must be gain. After ups and downs, Grandpa Ji Kaifeng can still live freely for himself.
As sung in that song--
Time knows nothing
How much sadness
Why don't you take a chic walk? (Reporter Xing Rui)