By Zheng Manling

As the year-end approaches, a series of sad news has come one after another. Just recently, Steven Liu Chia-chang passed away, and the renowned novelist Chiung Yao has also peacefully departed. These two individuals had collaborated multiple times during their lives, creating many widely acclaimed film and television songs. Now, their successive passings evoke feelings of sorrow and lamentation.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Chiung Yao's romantic novels and Louis Cha Jing-yong's martial arts novels were all the rage in the Chinese cultural sphere. The former crafted a touching and delicate dreamland, while the latter built a world of chivalry and heroism, deeply influencing the worldview, values, and emotions of generations of Chinese readers.

"Without Chiung Yao, there would be no youth." Many people in their youth have had scenes of secretly hiding Chiung Yao's novels under textbooks or within blankets to read surreptitiously. Those memories of being moved by first love and the pounding heartbeats are the initial recognition of innocent emotions. Transcribing "I have a curtain of dreams, not knowing who to share it with" onto small scraps of paper to confide in each other, reflects the pure and beautiful yearning for love.

It can be said that in that era of slightly rough living, closed-off thoughts, and shyness about love and relationships, the romantic and beautiful stories in Chiung Yao's novels became an enlightening course for young people to express their emotions and showcase their personalities. The energy accumulated in youth memories through words, music, and film and television works has nourished readers and fans for generations, guiding their life choices to varying degrees.

Now, the sparks that once burned brightly have turned into shining stars in the sky. As we recall her distant figure, we also reminisce about our bygone days. An era is destined to end, but light, shadows, and melodies will continue to flow. Believing that as long as literary talent remains immortal, the flame can be passed on for generations.

Chiung Yao, may you have a peaceful journey ahead.

(Source: Ta Kung Pao)

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