《拉薩情書》

第三十三章、離開上海前的人事布局
01
近於完美的過程中，總難免會夾帶意想不到的缺陷，造成遺憾。
當湯懷民的事業正要起飛，懷民竟然被檢查出罹患肺線癌第二期初階。
湯懷民其實很少抽菸，只在他心情極端惡劣或者不知所措時，他才會想起襯衫口袋裡還帶著一包菸。那包菸帶久了，經常吸附著他身體的汗臭味。
自從他離開西藏拉薩前，就經常出現胸悶，還有入睡前總會連續咳嗽幾分鐘至十幾分鐘。他不想吵到安妮睡眠，每回都會儘可能拉棉被掩蓋住口鼻。
來到上海後，他咳嗽的情形加劇，安妮一再提醒他去醫院檢查，但是他心裡有著陰影，害怕知道真相。
安妮苦勸著：「你這樣不行！懷民，不要再拖延了，趕緊去醫院給醫生檢查。」
「我沒事的，只是小感冒，一直沒徹底根治。」懷民心裡抗拒著，心想：「要真是重大疾病，死生有命，也只能順其自然了…」。
直到最近一次主持主管會議時，他站起來說沒幾句話，就突然猛烈地咳嗽，安妮抽幾張面紙給他，艾蜜莉倒杯溫開水擱在他桌前，這回他還沒咳完，鮮血已經從口鼻噴濺出，沾灑在桌面上。艾森豪等幾個大男生立馬起身圍過來，攙扶住他的身體，安妮撥緊急電話聯絡救護車。

02
一夥主管和唐夢影開車跟到醫院急診處，經過醫生緊急處治，止血後送去電腦斷層掃瞄，初步研判是肺腺癌，隨即的組織切片檢查，證實病程已是第二期初階，這消息無異是晴天霹靂，同時令三個女人幾乎心碎。
醫生分析說：「若接受最新的鏢靶藥物治療，可以拖過一年，否則就只剩下六個月存活期。」
安妮不想對湯懷民隱瞞病情，她給懷民自己去選擇，因為一旦接受治療，懷民就得形同被關在醫院，安妮知道懷民的脾氣，即使面對即將到來的死亡，活著時也要有尊嚴。
醫院病房病床上，一陣咳嗽後，懷民有氣無力地說：「安妮，我想妳陪著我，一起回去拉薩。」
安妮不解地問：「你現在的病情必須留在這裡，這裡有最先進的醫療設備和儀器啊？」
懷民問：「安妮，妳還記得三年前在拉薩小昭寺，我帶妳去看松贊干布和文成公主壁畫像那回嗎？」
安妮點頭說：「記得啊！那時有個老喇嘛說你是藏王松贊干布轉世，我是文成公主轉世，這一世我們注定要當夫妻。」
「那位叫索南的老喇嘛，當時就曾預言我會有這個劫難，提醒我到時候務必回去找到他，他會幫我度過這次劫難。」
安妮憂心說：「即使那個老喇嘛有這個預言，可是他哪有能耐能治癒你的癌症呢？」「我會千里迢迢去到西藏拉薩，然後和妳成就這段姻緣，就是當年索南仁波切在日月潭邊跟我開示的，即使索南不能治癒我的疾病，我也必須回去拉薩見他。」
安妮被懷民說服了︰「好吧！等標靶治療告一段落，我陪你一起回去拉薩。」
「還有，阿里山老家我們收藏的那卷老祖宗倉央情詩羊皮卷，我想把它捐給小昭寺，我們畢竟都會老死，可這份手卷必須有個更好的歸宿。」
安妮有些為難說：「這份手卷是我們倉央家的傳家寶，最好還是事先徵得我父親札希同意吧？」
「我們先回去阿里山，帶著那卷羊皮卷去見札希岳父，如果他堅持不同意捐出去，就把手卷還給札希。」
安妮動容說：「懷民格桑，我知道你的顧慮，你憂心過不了這次劫難…。」

03
老霍爾接到艾森豪電話稟告，專程趕到上海，來到醫院病床邊。
艾蜜莉和唐夢影都感受到這位銀髮的慈祥長者，盯著懷民時，眼神裡自然流露出來的不捨和遺憾。
「長官，謝謝你特地來看我。」懷民身體虛弱，說話有氣無力。
「湯，我給你長假，你好好調養。」老霍爾伸出雙手握著懷民的左手掌，眼眶裡淚光閃閃。
「長官，我有三項請求，請你同意。」
「你說吧！」
「第一、讓蘇莉敏接掌分公司總經理，她是開拓大華人市場的不二人選；第二、大中華A四案《倩女幽魂》動畫電影，交給艾蜜莉和唐夢影去執行。第三、大中華A三案《情僧倉央‧嘉措》動畫電影，趁我還在世時盡快推出。」
霍爾說：「第一項我會認真考慮，第二項我同意，第三項我會盡力去做；湯，你安心靜養。」
懷民不放棄遊說：「蘇主任的能力，可以接下這個擔子，我跟蘇長時間共事，我很瞭解她。」
「唉…」老霍爾長嘆問：「先前蘇怎麼對你的？你真能原諒她？」
懷民懇切地求情說。「為了公司未來的發展，我應該放下個人恩怨。長官，請給蘇主任機會。」
「回到總公司後，我會找蘇來面談，再做考慮。」霍爾動容說：「難得你不念舊惡，願意替公司設想。」
一旁的唐夢影，聽著兩人對話，既感動又羞愧：「敏姐這樣對懷民，他都能不記前嫌，我為什麼不能諒解他呢？」

04
加州狄士尼總部，執行長辦公室裡，老霍爾面向落地窗，抽著雪茄。
蘇莉敏走進來：「長官，我是蘇。」
「我桌上有一只公文夾，給妳的，妳翻開來看。」
「是，長官！」蘇莉敏一臉狐疑，心想會不會霍爾查出那封黑函後，要把她降調到小部門或樂園區去。她翻開那只公文夾，公文主旨上白紙黑字：「蘇莉敏調往上海分公司，以副總經理派任。」，一時間感到迷惑。
霍爾轉身走回座位，以一雙冷峻的鷹眼盯著蘇莉敏，冷冷地問：「蘇主任，妳知道是誰給妳這次機會嗎？」
冰雪聰明的蘇莉敏，立馬聯想到湯懷民，莉敏一臉羞愧地點頭說：「我知道，是湯。」
「以前妳怎麼對待湯的，妳自己心裡有數，湯為了分公司日後的發展，不念舊惡極力推薦妳，接替他留下的位置。」
莉敏謹慎探問：「湯，又高升了？」
「湯進了醫院，肺癌第二期，恐怕不久於人世。」霍爾臉上肌肉微微抽動：「公司即將失去一名菁英幹部。」
莉敏聽了大驚，急問：「怎麼會這樣？湯怎麼了？」
「癌症，癌細胞已擴散了。」霍爾按熄雪茄，表情悲傷說：「妳欠他一個道歉！」
「長官，我…」蘇莉敏恍然大悟，為自己感到羞恥，眼眶裡泛出淚光。
「總經理的位置空出來，妳就在他座位旁辦公。」霍爾揮手說：「妳儘快去上海赴任，接手湯的工作。」
「是，長官…」蘇莉敏轉身離開辦公室，這時她已淚流滿面。

05
安妮母子陪著湯懷民，從虹橋機場搭機回到桃園，提前辦妥休學的湯愛玉開著懷民的房車，接她們上阿里山。
回到達邦部落，除了餵母奶時段是安妮自己來，其餘時間都是愛玉和美蘭母女倆輪流幫忙帶小嘉措。
湯家客廳裡，湯美蘭抱著小傢伙感傷地說：「可憐這小娃兒，現在都還不曉得喊聲”爸”呢！」
愛玉安慰說：「媽，這些都是天意吧？我們只能盡人事。」
美蘭有感而發，對著安妮說：「真難為妳，放下在上海的工作，回來陪伴懷民。」
安妮說：「媽，懷民要我帶著那份傳家手卷，陪他回去西藏拉薩。」
美蘭說：「這不好吧？懷民還得接受後續治療，拉薩那地方怎比得上加州或台北呢？」
安妮說：「這是懷民的決定，懷民想要去拉薩見一位老喇嘛。至於後續治療，拉薩市區已有完善的教學醫院，短期內應該不成問題。」
美蘭聽到是懷民做出的決定，就不便再說什麼了。
愛玉說：「大嫂，小嘉措留在這裡，媽和我一起幫妳帶，等妳們從西藏回來，大哥病情穩定些，妳們一家才回去上海。」
美蘭說：「是啊！妳隨行照顧懷民，不用操心這孩子。」
安妮眼中閃著淚光說：「媽，愛玉，謝謝妳們。」
Chapter 33: Personnel Arrangements Before Leaving Shanghai
01
In the pursuit of near perfection, unexpected flaws are almost inevitable, often bringing regret.
Just as Tang Huaimin’s career was about to take off, he was diagnosed with early-stage stage II lung adenocarcinoma.
Tang Huaimin hardly smoked. Only when his mood was extremely bad or he felt at a loss did he remember the pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket. Over time, the cigarettes had absorbed the sweat and body odor of his body.
Since leaving Lhasa in Tibet, he had often experienced chest tightness and a persistent cough that could last several to more than ten minutes before sleep. Not wanting to disturb Annie, he always tried to cover his mouth and nose with a quilt.
After arriving in Shanghai, his coughing worsened. Annie repeatedly urged him to go to the hospital, but he was haunted by fear, reluctant to know the truth.
Annie pleaded: "You can’t go on like this, Huaimin! Don’t delay any longer. Go to the hospital for a proper checkup."
"I’m fine. It’s just a lingering cold," Huaimin resisted in his heart, thinking, "If it really is a serious illness, life and death are fated. I can only accept whatever comes…"
Until the most recent management meeting, when he stood up and spoke just a few words before suddenly coughing violently. Annie handed him some tissues, Emily placed a cup of warm water on his desk, but before he could finish, fresh blood spurted from his mouth and nose, staining the tabletop. Eisenhower and several other men quickly stood and helped support him, while Annie called an ambulance.
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02
A group of managers and Tang Mengying drove to the hospital emergency room. After emergency treatment and stopping the bleeding, a CT scan was performed. The preliminary diagnosis was lung adenocarcinoma. Subsequent biopsy confirmed it was early-stage stage II. The news was a thunderbolt, nearly breaking the hearts of the three women.
The doctor analyzed: "With the latest targeted therapy, he could survive another year. Without it, he may only have six months."
Annie refused to hide the truth from Tang Huaimin. She let him make his own choice. Treatment would confine him to the hospital, and she knew Huaimin's temperament: even facing imminent death, he wanted to live with dignity.
In the hospital bed, after a bout of coughing, Huaimin weakly said: "Annie, I want you to come with me, back to Lhasa."
Annie asked in confusion: "Your condition requires staying here. This hospital has the most advanced medical equipment and facilities."
Huaimin asked: "Annie, do you remember three years ago at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, when I took you to see the murals of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng?"
Annie nodded: "Yes! An old lama said you were the reincarnation of King Songtsen Gampo, and I was Princess Wencheng reincarnated. In this life, we were destined to be husband and wife."
"The lama, Sonam, also predicted that I would face this calamity. He told me to find him when it happens; he will help me through it."
Annie worried: "Even if the lama predicted it, how can he cure your cancer?"
"I will travel all the way back to Lhasa, and with you fulfill our union. Even if Sonam cannot cure my illness, I must return to Lhasa to meet him, just as he guided me at Sun Moon Lake back then."
Convinced by Huaimin, Annie said: "Alright. Once the targeted therapy finishes a stage, I’ll accompany you back to Lhasa."
"And the old family parchment of my ancestor Tsangyang Gyatso we keep in Alishan—I want to donate it to Xiaozhao Temple. After all, we will grow old and die, but this scroll deserves a better home."
Annie hesitated: "That scroll is a Tsangyang family heirloom. We should get my father Zaxi’s permission first."
"We’ll go back to Alishan, bring the scroll to Zaxi. If he insists against donation, we return it to him."
Annie was moved: "Huaimin, I understand your concern… you fear you may not survive this calamity…"
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03
Old Hall received Eisenhower’s call and rushed to Shanghai to the hospital bedside.
Emily and Tang Mengying could feel the kind, silver-haired elder’s natural sorrow and regret as he looked at Huaimin.
"Sir, thank you for coming to see me," Huaimin said weakly.
"Tang, I’m giving you an extended leave. Take good care of yourself," Hall said, holding Huaimin’s left hand, tears glimmering in his eyes.
"Huaimin: I have three requests. Please agree."
"Go ahead."
"First, let Sulimin take over as general manager of the branch. She is the perfect candidate for expanding the Greater China market. Second, let Emily and Tang Mengying execute the Greater China Project A4 animation film A Chinese Ghost Story. Third, release Greater China Project A3 animation The Love Monk Tsangyang Gyatso as soon as possible while I’m still alive."
Hall said: "I will consider the first request seriously. 我已阅读并同意 second. I will do my best on the third. Tang, rest assured and recuperate."
Huaimin continued to persuade: "Director Su is capable. I have worked with her long enough to know she can handle this responsibility."
Hall sighed: "How did Su treat you before? Can you really forgive her?"
Huaimin earnestly said: "For the future growth of the company, I should put aside personal grievances. Sir, please give Director Su a chance."
"When back at headquarters, I’ll call Su for a meeting and reconsider. Rarely do I see you put the company before old grudges," Hall said movedly.
Tang Mengying, overhearing, felt both touched and ashamed: "If Sister Min could forgive Huaimin, why can’t I forgive him?"
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04
At Disney California Headquarters, in the CEO’s office, Hall stood by the floor-to-ceiling window smoking a cigar.
Sulimin entered: "Sir, I’m Su."
"There’s a folder on my desk for you. Open it."
"Yes, sir!" Sulimin, suspicious, worried Hall might demote her after discovering the negative letter. She opened the folder. The document read clearly: Sulimin assigned to Shanghai branch as Deputy General Manager. She was momentarily confused.
Hall turned back, fixing his piercing gaze on her: "Do you know who gave you this opportunity?"
Quick-witted Sulimin immediately thought of Tang Huaimin, and ashamedly nodded: "I know, it’s Tang."
"You know how you treated Tang. Yet for the branch’s future, he set aside old grudges to recommend you for his position."
Sulimin cautiously asked: "Tang… promoted?"
"Tang is in the hospital, stage II lung cancer, probably won’t live long," Hall said, muscles twitching slightly. "The company is about to lose a key talent."
Sulimin was shocked: "How? What happened to Tang?"
"Cancer. It has spread." Hall extinguished his cigar. "You owe him an apology."
"S-sir…," Sulimin realized her shame, tears forming.
"The GM position is now open. You will work next to his desk," Hall waved. "Go to Shanghai and take over Tang’s duties immediately."
"Yes, sir…" Sulimin left, tears streaming down her face.
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05
Annie and her son accompanied Tang Huaimin, flying from Hongqiao Airport to Taoyuan. Tang Aiyu, who had pre-arranged her leave from school, drove Huaimin’s car to Alishan to pick them up.
Back in the Dabong Tribe, aside from feeding sessions Annie handled herself, the rest of the time Aiyu and Meilan shared caring for little Jiazo.
In the Tang family living room, Tang Meilan held the baby: "Poor child. He doesn’t even know how to call ‘Dad’ yet."
Aiyu comforted her: "Mom, it’s fate. We can only do our best."
Meilan said to Annie: "It’s hard for you to give up your work in Shanghai to come back and care for Huaimin."
Annie: "Mom, Huaimin wants me to take the family heirloom scroll back to Lhasa with him."
Meilan: "That’s risky. He still needs treatment. Lhasa can’t compare with California or Taipei."
Annie: "It’s Huaimin’s choice. He wants to see an old lama in Lhasa. The local hospital can handle short-term follow-up."
Meilan had nothing more to say.
Aiyu: "Sister-in-law, we’ll take care of little Jiazo here. After you return from Tibet, when big brother’s condition is more stable, you’ll all go back to Shanghai."
Meilan: "Yes. You take care of Huaimin, no need to worry about the child."
Annie, with tears in her eyes: "Mom, Aiyu, thank you."