Road Angel - A Centennial Classic Film Story of China [Text and Images]

Author: Chen Xiaohong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The story takes place in Shanghai in the autumn of 1935. On this day, the sky was overcast, gloomy and oppressive. Skyscrapers stood tall along the Huangpu River. Dressed impeccably, the upper-class society strolled past, entering neon-lit hotels or wandering through lush green villas, creating a lively and prosperous scene. Below the towering buildings, however, was a starkly different reality. In the dark, narrow alleys stood low-rise cottages, where impoverished lower-class citizens struggled to survive with empty stomachs. Suddenly, a rhythmic beat of a Western drum broke the silence. It was the procession welcoming a bride marching down the street. At the front was an ancient Chinese ceremonial guard: drummers, flag bearers, horse riders, lantern carriers, carriers of "Joy" banners, and umbrella bearers. Behind them came Chinese and Western orchestras. The bride's party rode on horseback, with a magnificent, ancient sedan chair trailing behind. The Western orchestra stood out prominently in the procession, with musicians wearing uniform attire and the conductor walking at the forefront. Xiao Chen, the Western band's trumpeter, walked among the crowd, his trumpet tucked under his left arm, his cap tilted backward on his head. He was about twenty-something, slim, and handsome, with a neat face and a strand of long hair falling over his forehead. He wore Western-style band attire. In the crowd, he looked around with his head held high, as if searching for someone. When the person behind him bumped into him with an instrument, he quickly picked up his trumpet and played along with the band, his notes sharp and high-pitched. He played for just a moment, realized something was wrong, adjusted the trumpet, and finally played in tune. The ceremonial guard, the Chinese and Western orchestras, and the sedan chair continued their procession down the street. This half-Chinese, half-Western mixed bridal procession, with its hybrid music, gave off an awkward and incongruous feeling. The sidewalks were packed with onlookers, people squeezing through doors, windows, staircases, upper-story glass windows, and balconies to watch the spectacle. Posters like "Mass Discount" and "Great Sacrifice" swayed in the air. Old Wang, the news vendor, held a stack of newspapers and called out to sell them. He was in his early thirties, with a sturdy and honest appearance. He spotted Xiao Chen in the Western orchestra and waved his newspaper to greet him: "Hey! Hey!" As he called out, Old Wang hurried over in three quick steps. When an individual wanted to buy a newspaper, he fumbled to take the money but forgot to hand over the paper. The buyer shouted, and only then did he remember, turning around to give the newspaper. Old Wang finally squeezed up to Xiao Chen and walked along with the band. Xiao Chen continued to play, seemingly focused, when suddenly Old Wang stepped on his foot, causing his shoe to fall off. In pain, Xiao Chen groaned and leaned against the roadside, rubbing his foot with his mouth twisted. Old Wang whispered something to Xiao Chen, but just as they were talking, eight burly men lifted the sedan chair and approached them. Taking the opportunity, they lifted the curtain to peek inside. The bride sat there like a clay figurine, her bulging eyes fixed on the ground. As they watched, Xiao Chen seemed to be possessed. His black eyes narrowed, and his face took on the exact same vacant, wooden expression as the bride. The bride's "beauty" truly left him speechless. Old Wang quickly blew on Xiao Chen, patted his face, and shook him, but...