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Regarding the second half of the 20th century, the 1960s were often summarised and discussed with 'social change' as the core theme. 

However, it is still difficult to find a clear phrase to define this decade. The brilliance and splendour of these ten years can be described as 'a magnificent spectacle,' while this decade's radical advancements and persecutions could justifiably be summarised as 'unprecedented in a century.' 

The magnificent spectacle and unprecedented 1960s, in some unseen way, also entangled the lives of two individuals.

In 1961, the third year of the Great Famine, the nationwide food and supply shortage crisis remained unresolved, and the country's economy was facing its most devastating crisis since its founding. Compared to the North, which suffered from consecutive years of drought and widespread hunger, the situation in East China was relatively better. 

Lian Bing, then editor-in-chief of JD Literary Publishing, discussed with his wife Bai Ting about her returning to the Lian family in Jiangnan while he stayed in Jingdu. This wasn't the first time they discussed it, as Bai Ting had not agreed for the past two years. Bai Ting fully understood why Lian Bing wanted her to return—it was out of concern for her well-being. Lian Bing came from a literary family in Jiangnan, a family that had declined over the past decade. Yet, his pride and integrity had not diminished. 

Whether in Jiangnan or Jingdu, he stood tall as a literary thinker in this era.

Bai Ting furrowed her brows, gazing at Lian Bing for a long time. 

This year marked the tenth anniversary of their acquaintance and the third year of their marriage. They had met in their youthful prime—she was 16, and he was 18. Now, although he hadn't reached the age of thirty, a few strands of silver had already appeared in his hair. 

With moisture welling up in her eyes and countless thoughts swirling, Bai Ting finally nodded in agreement.

In the following years, Lian Bing would visit Jiangnan every three months, but his trips were always rushed. Before they could warm up to their conversations, he would be back at work. 

In early spring 1966, Bai Ting received a letter from her family in Beiping and, along with her family members, returned to her maternal home. She carried another letter to be opened by her father. 

Bai Ting's maternal family, the Bai family of Guangzhou, was a well-known family in Cantonese opera, famous throughout Guangdong for producing countless renowned opera singers. 

Ten years ago, during the Anti-Rightist Movement, the Bai family's opera troupe was the first to be affected, becoming a "model" for Cantonese opera troupes. The artistic nature of Cantonese opera was replaced by the promotion of the new era's ideology. Subsequently, the Bai family's opera troupe disintegrated, marking the end of its golden era. 

Today, fewer than fifty members remain in the Bai family troupe.

Upon arriving in Guangzhou, signs of impending turmoil were evident within the city. The letter from Lian Bing to his father-in-law was displayed on Bai Wu's desk, with the room's light remaining on throughout the night. 

Two days later, Bai Wu gathered the remaining disciples and servants of the Bai Family Opera Troupe to announce a piece of news. All disciples of the Bai Family Opera Troupe, whose families had children or elderly relatives, were given the option to freely leave the troupe to seek alternative paths, but they were prohibited from pursuing a career in the arts. Those without living parents and unwilling to rely on relatives could choose to join the Bai Family in moving to Hong Kong or depart on their own to seek new opportunities, with the condition that they also refrain from engaging in artistic endeavours. The disciples were perplexed, and Bai Wu remained silent, leaving only the words, "Art cannot stay, it is the sorrow of the times." 

Amidst great panic and speechless regret.

three days later, the Bai Family Opera Troupe disbanded, with Bai Wu leading eighteen individuals aboard the Xing Family Ferry No. 1 to Hong Kong.

Two months later, the mainland fell into darkness. At that time, no one could have imagined that the following year would mark the beginning of a massive exodus of Guangzhou youth fleeing to Hong Kong, lasting for a decade. Furthermore, no one could have predicted that this catastrophe would endure for ten years and extend its reach to Hong Kong Island. 

During his six months in Hong Kong, Bai Wei witnessed the glorious resurgence of Cantonese opera in cinemas through the thriving Hong Kong film industry. By the end of the year, the Bai Family moved out of a vacant house provided by a friend and settled in the Chung Ying Street area. 

Early the following month, on the seventh day after the outbreak of Motim 1-2-3, the Xing Family welcomed a newborn son named Lude.

In the summer of 1967, leftist riots broke out in Hong Kong, leading to unprecedented chaos in society, economic downturn, and widespread fear among the population. Some of the gun battles during the riots took place in the area of Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok, resulting in a total of 26 casualties, including a disciple from the Bai family.

Subsequently, the Hong Kong government decided to completely close the border. By the end of that summer, Bai Wu received news from the mainland that Cantonese opera scripts, costumes, props, and literature were almost destroyed. Many of Bai Wu's acquaintances and friends were subjected to inspection, house raids, criticism, and re-education.

Afterwards, Bai Wu often stayed in a room filled with opera scripts and Western suits, spending entire days in a daze. 

In the winter of the same year, Bai Wu fell seriously ill and confined to bed.

At that time, only eight descendants from the Bai family's opera troupe remained.

In the early summer of 1968, Lian Bing once again evaded capture and criticism, and after nearly a month of wandering, reunited with Bai Ting. 

By that time, they had not seen each other for 647 days. 

In the late autumn of the same year, Bai Wu passed away at No. 34 Chung Ying Street. 

Half a month after Bai Wu's passing, Bai Ting became pregnant. 

On the day of the first frost, Lian Bing received a letter from Jingdu. Without disclosing the contents of the letter, Bai Ting understood from his expression that it was time to bid farewell. 

Although it seemed that her husband Lian Bing was "fleeing Hong Kong," he had actually come to bid them farewell. The descendants of the Lian family, conducting themselves in the world, had no regrets in their hearts. Born during the war and coming of age during the early years of the country's establishment, their strong sense of responsibility towards the nation and their bright prospects were vividly portrayed in their hearts. This conviction, understood deeply by us all, showed the literary integrity of these individuals on this vast land, standing tall like the Great Wall, indestructible. No one knew how many intellectuals would turn into bones in this calamity, but whether they were erudite scholars, social elites, or young and green intellectuals, even if only one person remained, their resounding voices would echo throughout this land. 

Therefore, Bai Ting said little, only placing Lian Bing's calloused hand on her abdomen. "If you are fortunate enough to return, remember to come back; if you cannot, I support any decision you make, and both I and our child will stay here for the rest of our lives. I will gaze and wait day and night, waiting for the end of darkness and the arrival of dawn."

On June 27th of the following year, Bai Ting gave birth prematurely to a son named Lian Pu. On the same day, the "Stonewall Riots" erupted in the United States, marking the beginning of the history of LGBTQ rights advocacy, spreading from the U.S. globally. In the same year, the Hong Kong government expressed intentions to introduce legislation decriminalizing same-sex activities from the UK, but faced strong opposition from Hong Kong Chinese groups and subsequently withdrew the proposal.

In 1976, when Lian Pu was 8 years old, the end of a decade of turmoil arrived. 

Six years earlier, Bai Ting received the devastating news of Lianbing's persecution and passing. The words spoken when they parted ways that year became the final communication between her and him.