(The content of this article is based on authoritative sources, and there are literature citation sources at the end of the article)
In 1988, Yan Weiwen experienced a major test in his life. As an outstanding tenor singer, he showcased his talent at the 3rd National Young Singer TV Grand Prix.
On the eve of the finals, his wife Liu Weixing's cancer diagnosis disrupted everything while facing huge challenges for the family.
Yan Weiwen chose to continue the competition, but also accompanied his wife through the difficult road to fight cancer, and their daughter later met a man with a strong background.
Showing its edge
Yan Weiwen was born in 1957 in an ordinary family in Pingyao County, Shanxi Province. Since childhood, he has shown an extraordinary talent for music. When he was young, Yan Weiwen would often stand on the steps in front of his house and sing, attracting many onlookers from his neighbors.
In 1970, Yan Weiwen, who was only 13 years old, was admitted to the Shanxi Provincial Song and Dance Troupe with excellent results.
Although Yan Weiwen was in the period of voice change at that time and his voice was not stable enough, he was successfully selected for the dance major with his excellent dancing talent.
Yan Weiwen was not discouraged by this result, he knew that this was just a different path to his musical dream.
In 1972, the propaganda team of the Shanxi Provincial Military Region went to the song and dance troupe to perform supportively. With his outstanding performance and positive attitude, Yan Weiwen attracted the attention of the comrades of the propaganda team.
In the same year, the propaganda team of the Shanxi Provincial Military Region decided to recruit new members, which was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for Yan Weiwen. He carefully prepared a dance and singing program of "Laundry Song", and successfully passed the interview with his outstanding performance.
After joining the propaganda team, Yan Weiwen spent every day in rigorous training and busy performances. Despite the heavy workload, he has always maintained a positive and optimistic attitude, not only completing his own work, but also taking the initiative to help other team members.
It is this conscientious and responsible attitude that has enabled him to quickly gain recognition and appreciation from his leaders and teammates.
In 1979, the propaganda team received an important task: the General Political Song and Dance Troupe selected new members from all over the country. As an outstanding representative of the propaganda team of the provincial military district, Yan Weiwen was recommended to participate in this selection.
For this interview, Yan Weiwen made a long preparation, not only put a lot of effort into singing, but also kept improving in performance.
On the day of the interview, he conquered the interviewer with a song "Little Poplar" and was successfully selected into the General Political Song and Dance Troupe.
In the days of the General Political Song and Dance Troupe, Yan Weiwen continued to improve himself every day. He not only pays attention to vocal training, but also learns a variety of musical instruments and strives to improve his overall quality.
He actively participated in various performances, and gradually made a name for himself in the troupe, and soon he became the backbone of the General Political Song and Dance Troupe, and served as a soloist in important performances many times, winning unanimous praise from the audience and leaders.
In 1983, the success of the performance in Tibet brought Yan Weiwen's career to a new level. His name began to be known throughout the country, and he became one of the most influential tenors of his time.
Love sprouts
Soon after entering the General Political Song and Dance Troupe, Yan Weiwen's life underwent new changes.
In 1983, the equally talented Liu Weixing also entered the propaganda team of the Shanxi Provincial Military Region.
When I first met, Liu Weixing was still a girl who had just turned 18 years old, and she quickly rose to prominence in the propaganda team with her crisp and sweet voice and skillful dancing skills.
During the days of the propaganda team, Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing were very busy with their work, and they needed to participate in various performances, training, and rehearsals frequently.
Despite this, Yan Weiwen still maintains an optimistic and positive attitude, and always finds joy in his busy work.
And Liu Weixing's arrival added a touch of color to Yan Weiwen's boring training life. The two gradually became familiar with each other in daily contact, and their appreciation for each other also grew quietly unconsciously.
The rehearsals are deep, and the relationship between Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing is also heating up. After each rehearsal, Yan Weiwen would take the initiative to help Liu Weixing pack up the score and props, and Liu Weixing would also send a cup of warm tea to Yan Weiwen when he was tired.
On the day of the art show, the performances of Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing won warm applause and unanimous praise from the audience. Their tacit cooperation and outstanding performance not only won the recognition of the leaders, but also planted the seeds of love in their hearts.
Soon after, the publicity team organized an outdoor performance. In order to prepare for this event, all team members have to conduct closed training in the field.
During this period, Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing were placed in the same group, and they needed to complete various tasks together. Whether it is setting up a temporary stage or setting up a performance venue, the two always have a tacit understanding and cooperate seamlessly.
In 1979, the propaganda team received an order to disband, and the members were assigned to different units. The two had to face the test of long-distance lovesickness. Although they were separated, they did not give up on the relationship, but kept in touch through letters and phone calls.
In the Spring Festival of 1982, after two years of long-distance lovesickness, Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing finally ushered in their happy moment.
They held a simple and warm wedding in Beijing and officially became husband and wife. Soon after marriage, Liu Weixing became pregnant with their first child.
In 1983, Yan Weiwen received an order to go to Tibet for a condolence performance. Although his wife was about to give birth, he resolutely accepted the task.
In the next few years, Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing's relationship became even deeper. Although Yan Weiwen is very busy at work, he always tries to find time to spend with his wife and children.
The road to cancer
In 1988, Yan Weiwen successfully advanced to the finals of the 3rd National Young Singer TV Grand Prix, which was an extremely important opportunity for his music career.
At this critical moment, Liu Weixing suddenly felt unwell. In order not to affect her husband's competition, she did not go to the hospital for a check-up.
Eventually, at Yan Weiwen's insistence, Liu Weixing underwent an examination, but the result was like a bolt from the blue - she was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed immediate surgery.
After learning the news, Yan Weiwen decided to give up the game without hesitation and fully accompany his wife for treatment. However, Liu Weixing strongly objected, believing that Yan Weiwen could not give up this important opportunity because of her.
Faced with his wife's insistence, Yan Weiwen was in a dilemma, but he knew that his wife needed his companionship and support more at the moment.
In the end, under the "threat" of Liu Weixing, Yan Weiwen decided to participate in the competition and arrange his wife's treatment at the same time.
On the day of the competition, Liu Weixing dragged her weak body to the scene, and she trembled to hold Yan Weiwen's hand and encourage him to concentrate on the game.
Yan Weiwen pressed all his worries and tears in his heart, and shocked the audience with a song "Our Motherland Song Sweet Flowers", and finally won the gold medal.
After the match, he rushed out of the arena as soon as possible, hugged his wife tightly, and immediately took her to the hospital for surgery.
The surgery was very successful, but the treatment that followed was long and difficult. Yan Weiwen decided to put aside his work for the time being and take care of his wife wholeheartedly.
He accompanied Liu Weixing for many chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and after each treatment, he would walk with her and tell her jokes to relieve her pain.
Yan Weiwen also consulted many experts on how to help his wife recover through diet and psychological counseling.
During the treatment, Yan Weiwen did not completely leave the music. When his wife is in a better state, he will find time to record or participate in some important performances.
But no matter where he is, he will rush home as soon as possible to be by his wife's side. In order to facilitate the care of his wife, Yan Weiwen also specially arranged some performances to be held near his home, so that he could go home to see Liu Weixing between performances.
In 2003, after a long period of treatment and recuperation, doctors finally told Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing that she had passed the most dangerous period.
This news is like a rain after a long drought, which makes Yan Weiwen and his wife see hope in life. Although Liu Weixing's body still needs to continue to recuperate, her mental state has improved significantly.
Happiness continues
In 2006, Yan Weiwen and Liu Weixing's daughter Yan Jingjing returned to China after completing her studies in Vancouver, Canada.
Soon after returning home, she announced to her parents the delightful and surprising news that she already had a boyfriend abroad.
The boyfriend's name is Li Hehe, a graduate student at Harvard University's School of Business Administration, and more importantly, his father is former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
Li Hehe's identity surprised and worried Yan Weiwen and his wife. As the only son of a high-ranking official, they can't help but worry about whether Li Hehe will have a sense of superiority as a "second generation official", and whether it will be difficult to establish an equal relationship with Yan Jingjing because of his family background.
However, Yan Jingjing firmly told her parents that Li Hehe is modest, mild-mannered, very low-key and kind, and works and studies part-time during his study abroad, and is very self-reliant.
On New Year's Day 2007, Yan Weiwen happened to meet his friend Li Dongwen, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in United States, at the New Year's party.
Yan Weiwen asked Li Dongwen about Li Hehe's personality. Li Dongwen spoke highly of Li Hehe, saying that he was low-key and sensible, principled, did not accept any form of gifts, and lived by his own efforts during his study abroad.
Such an evaluation made Yan Weiwen and his wife feel a lot more relieved.
After fully understanding Li Hehe, Yan Weiwen and his wife's attitude towards this relationship became supportive and blessed. In 2009, Yan Jingjing and Li Hehe held a wedding in Beijing.
Resources:
The soldiers' singer dream: Yan Weiwen, Yu Junjian, Cai Guoqing. Phoenix.com [Citation date: 2015-02-20]
2006 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala--Yan Weiwen sang "Mother". Sina Entertainment [Quote date: 2024-01-25]