A Love Letter from Lhasa 29

Chapter 28: Annie Comes to Help from Afar

01
Upon receiving Huaimin’s email, Annie replied immediately, saying she would set aside the Tsangyang materials she had collected and then depart for Lhasa.

When Tang Aiyu returned from class, Annie told her about Huaimin’s instructions.

“Should we let Mom and Dad know?”
“Better not. I’ll only be in Tibet for a month or so and will return once the work is done.”
“That’s good; otherwise, they’d drag me back to Alishan to work as a laborer again,” Aiyu said, sticking out her tongue, relieved.
“I’ll organize the materials to take with me. I’ll rely on you to keep the house in the meantime.”
Aiyu smiled: “No problem! I’ll take care of the chores.”
Annie instructed: “I’m leaving some cash and a bank card for you. Spend what needs to be spent, save where you can. The proceeds from the jam will be deposited into the card, enough for a whole year.”
“I’ll be frugal, sister-in-law,” Aiyu replied.

02
Annie, six months pregnant, flew to Shanghai, transferred to Chengdu, then flew on to Lhasa—a long and exhausting journey. Tang Huaimin and Zaxi met her at the airport.

Seeing his heavily pregnant daughter, Zaxi opened his arms to embrace her: “Annie, you’re going to be a mom.” Tears glimmered in his eyes.

Huaimin stepped forward to hug her: “Annie, thank you for your hard work!”
“No hard work. You’re my husband; of course, I’ll be your support,” Annie said.

Huaimin opened the car door for her. The car left the airport and arrived at Zhang Yang’s home in the city, where Zhang Yang and Meiduo came out to greet them.

“Annie, congratulations on becoming a mother,” Meiduo said, hugging her closely.
“Gesang has been well taken care of by you all. I sincerely thank you,” Annie said.
Zhang Yang praised: “With a wife like you, it’s no wonder Gesang has done well!”
Meiduo said: “Come in, dinner will be ready soon.”

03
That evening, in the bedroom, the couple discussed how to write the story outline for the animation about Tsangyang Gyatso.

“Annie, thanks to you, I have no idea how I would have handled Hall’s last-minute assignment,” Huaimin said.

Annie speculated: “Husband, I think Hall assigned this task as a test after your training. You need to do your best and achieve results; perhaps he plans to rely on you more in the future.”

Huaimin smiled: “I thought the same, Annie.”

“On the plane here, I already thought about how to tackle this project.”
Huaimin cupped his hands: “Please, Annie Rinpoche, guide me!”

Annie laughed, twisting his arm: “Since when did you learn to talk slick?”
“No, you really are much smarter than me.”

Getting serious, Annie said: “Back to the task. I’ll divide it into steps: first, we study the collected written materials together and organize Tsangyang Gyatso’s life; after setting the main characters, we’ll brainstorm plot and scenes to create a touching story.”

Huaimin nodded with a smile: “Annie, you explain it so logically. Let’s follow your steps.”

“Actually, I’ve only written poetry and prose before. I haven’t tried novels, so there’s some pressure. But I’ve read many classics and watched moving films; this is a good chance to start.”

Huaimin encouraged her: “Wife, you’ll be fine! I have full confidence in you.”

04
“With united hearts, couples can achieve anything,” the two brainstormed and proceeded step by step, making steady progress.

Regarding Tsangyang Gyatso’s life, especially his romantic history, Professor Zaxi, after long-term fieldwork and interviews with Tibetan elders, had collected many rarely known oral accounts. When Annie began drafting the biography, Zaxi became her most trusted consultant.

Zaxi recounted: “Our ancestor Tsangyang Gyatso, originally named Lozang Srijin Tsangyang Gyatso, was gifted since childhood. At sixteen, before becoming Dalai Lama, he had a beautiful and intelligent companion in his hometown. They spent their days farming and herding together, growing up side by side, deeply in love. After entering the Potala Palace, he grew weary of the monotonous life of a Yellow Sect leader, longing for the vibrant customs of the people and his beloved. He often went out at night in disguise to meet his lover, seeking romantic life.”

Huaimin asked: “And then, Father?”
“One snowy morning, the law-enforcing monks discovered footprints leading from outside to Tsangyang Gyatso’s quarters. They punished his personal monks and executed his lover, taking strict measures and confining him. Grief-stricken, Tsangyang Gyatso buried Buddhism deeply in his heart and began composing poetry.”

Moved, Huaimin sighed: “Religious rules are really unforgiving.”

During this period, Zaxi, Zhang Yang, and Meiduo became the couple’s consultants on Tibetan customs, festivals, and even historical clothing and food. They shared all they knew to assist Huaimin and Annie.

Zhang Yang and Meiduo managed the couple’s meals daily, like a happy family.

Annie drafted the story, making revisions after discussions. One and a half months later, the first draft was completed. As Huaimin was about to send it to Su Limin, Annie reminded him: “Husband, this outline is our joint effort. I don’t want your boss to claim it as her own and steal your credit.”

Huaimin asked: “Then what should I do?”
“Send it to Director Su, but also to Hall with a note explaining it’s a collaborative work and mention my descendant status from the love-lama. Hall will believe it.”

Huaimin said: “Wife, your concern is thorough. I’ll follow your advice.”

05
Annie’s caution was justified. Su Limin sent Annie’s story outline to the company’s creative department, claiming authorship while stating that Huaimin assisted in research.

Astute Hall, after receiving Huaimin’s email, disapproved of Su Limin’s opportunistic approach. He called in Thomson from the creative department and Smith from the animation department, showing them Huaimin’s email. The two directors, standing before the CEO, immediately sensed that Su Limin had crossed a line.

Thomson said: “Sir, Director Su’s shortcut approach is unacceptable!”
Smith, ashamed: “Sir, I failed to supervise properly and allowed this scandal. I feel guilty!”

Hall stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, calm but stern: “How many people know about this?”
Thomson: “Two team leaders from the creative and story teams, plus me. Three in total.”

Hall decided: “First, Tom, instruct the two team leaders to stay silent until Director Su returns. I’ll interview her and then decide on any disciplinary action. Second, I’ve read the story outline—it’s very moving. I want the couple to continue the script. Third, I plan to open a Shanghai branch to expand the Greater China market and assign Tang Huaimin to lead it. The official appointment will be released after they submit the script and Huaimin returns.”

Smith asked: “Sir, what about the other project, General Sun Li-jen…”
“Collect the materials first; treat it as backup. Huaimin’s story is very touching—prepare for that first.”

“Understood, sir.” Standing behind Hall, Smith sensed the CEO’s high regard for Huaimin.

06
While in Lhasa, Tang Huaimin received a satellite phone call from Old Hall, asking the couple to continue completing the script for The Romantic Monk: Tsangyang Gyatso.

“Annie, Old Hall wants us to continue writing the story script,” Huaimin said, his surprise evident.

Annie smiled. “Although your former boss’s response caught me a little off guard, thinking carefully, the fact that Hall entrusted this topic to us shows he’s not only wise but also far-sighted.”

Curious, Huaimin asked, “Wife, you say that—does it mean you’ve noticed something you’re willing to share with me?”

Annie analyzed, “First, the threshold for writing this topic is very high; one must be familiar with Tibetan culture, customs, and local features—screenwriters in your company couldn’t handle it. Second, I’m a descendant of Tsangyang Gyatso. Hall cares about this and instinctively trusts that we’ll devote ourselves fully and produce a quality script.”

Huaimin praised, “Annie, you’re truly wise! Hearing you say that, we must seize this opportunity well.”

Annie made a decision. “We’ll stay in Lhasa and complete the script!”

Huaimin smiled. “Alright! I’ll write an email to let our parents and Aiyu know about our situation and decision.”