《拉薩情書》

第三十二章、唐夢影的諒解
01
蘇莉敏射出去的第二支箭，十天後竟然又是「紋風不動、波瀾不興」，面對出奇安靜的湯懷民夫妻和老霍爾，蘇莉敏不只疑惑，而且開始沉不住氣，她決定直接找上安妮，在電話裡威脅她，逼她就範。可惜，蘇莉敏渾然不知，安妮不僅知道她的身份，也摸清楚她手裡其實已經沒有籌碼了。
特助辦公室裡的安妮，正在給小嘉措哺育母乳，手機響起，她把嬰兒抱坐在大腿上。
「安妮小姐嗎？十天過去了，妳還沒答覆我喔！」
安妮聽出對方使用變聲器，故意裝傻問：「妳是誰？我該答覆妳什麼？」
「離開湯懷民，不然我就毀了他！」
安妮語氣冷靜說：「如果他真的辜負妳，把妳始亂終棄，那麼就請妳毀了他，我不會有任何怨言的。」
「好樣的！我會要他身敗名裂，在公司混不下去。妳可別後悔喔！」
安妮氣定神閒說：「我後悔什麼？他造的業，他得自己去面對和承擔啊！」
「算妳狠！安妮，這幾天妳留意上海和加州這兩地的報紙和新聞。」
「我當然會留意，有個女駭客，竟然要脅我不成，就揚言把我和我老公親蜜的蜜月照，賣給報社和電視台。」
「什麼？」對方突然停住不說話，安妮有些得意地想像著，這時蘇莉敏表情愣住的窘態。
「妳和妳老公親蜜的蜜月照？妳還真敢對號入座啊！死不要臉的女人！」
「不是我喜歡入座，而是妳藏頭縮尾，不敢以真面目示人，妳才是死不要臉的女人！敢誘拐我老公玩一夜情，妳就露面來啊！」兩個女人隔空對嗆，卻不是火花四射，反而像是一場鬧劇。
「咱們走著瞧！」對方撂下狠話後，就掛斷了。
小嘉措半閉著眼睛，繼續享用著母親安妮溫潤的乳汁。

02
蘇莉敏感到相當沮喪，她逐漸領悟，當對方仍然不動如山時，自己似乎已黔驢技窮無計可施，再也玩不下去了。
蘇莉敏寫電子信給夢影，把自己的感受說出來。
妹妹：
姐姐這回真的踢到鐵板了！我感覺湯懷民夫妻和老霍爾，似乎已聯合起來，一起對付我。我使不上力了！手裡沒別的籌碼，往後只能讓妳自己去對付安妮。在安妮眼皮底下，妳要謹言慎行，她是個高深莫測的女魔頭！如果妳沒把握，扳得倒安妮，不如趁早離開上海。 充滿無力感的姐姐 莉敏
收到蘇莉敏的電子信，夢影不免情緒低落：「姐姐都對付不來安妮，我還能怎樣呢？」書桌前的唐夢影，望著窗外那輪明月，心裡感到空前的無助和悲涼，喃喃自語說：「懷民，為什麼青梅竹馬的我們，今天竟然會走到這樣的情境？如果真有前世，前世我到底虧欠你什麼？這一世要如此折磨我唐夢影，來償還你的債…」兩行淚水滑過臉頰，夢影沒擦拭它們，任由它們掛著。

03
動畫部研習室裡，招考進來的這批動畫師，正在接受一系列培訓課程。
「今天的這四堂課，是角色人物造型設定，相當基礎的課程…。」講台上授課的艾蜜莉，是他們的考核官，也是動畫部門主管。台下的唐夢影專注聽講勤做筆記，桌上擺著一部袖珍型錄音機。艾蜜莉不時把眼睛短暫停留在唐夢影身上。
「角色人物表裡的說明，只能提供動畫裡主角和配角，人物造型設定時的大致方向，要精準掌握主配角的人物造型，從外型到人物性格，必須熟讀腳本，甚至是爾後完整的劇本，就我所知我們湯總經理和安妮特助，正是這方面的高手…」
安妮站在後門外，隔著玻璃窗望著受訓學員們的背影。

04
艾蜜莉拿著一疊檔案夾，沿著動畫師辦公室走道，發放給受訓的學員。
最後一個檔案夾，艾蜜莉遞給唐夢影。
艾蜜莉微笑著誇獎說：「妳的作業，畫得很好，人物表情生動自然，造型有個人風格，到目前為止，受訓學員中妳的表現最優異。總經理果然很有眼光，妳加油！唐。」
唐夢影起身鞠躬說：「謝謝部長鼓勵。」
「唐，待會兒請妳喝下午茶喔！我在小咖啡廳等妳。」艾蜜莉對著夢影眨了一下右眼，轉身離開。
「總經理果然很有眼光…」夢影反覆思索著艾蜜莉部長這句話，回想起面試當天，湯懷民竟然面無表情、跟個木頭人似的，夢影喃喃自語：「懷民，我知道你不是個無情的人。」

05
小咖啡廳裡，艾蜜莉和唐夢影面對面，在高腳椅上坐著喝咖啡、吃小點心和蛋糕。
艾蜜莉探問著：「夢影，妳願意告訴我，妳跟老總是什麼關係嗎？」
唐夢影手指捏著小湯匙，攪拌高腳杯裡的冰咖啡，微笑卻不回答。
「對不起，我不是故意要打探妳的隱私。」
夢影平靜地說：「部長，就算曾經有關係，那些都已經是過去式了。」
艾蜜莉好奇追問：「喔？是他辜負妳了？」
夢影點頭，臉上閃過一絲苦笑。
「妳不甘心，所以從巴黎追到上海來，還考進公司？」
「起初的確是這樣的情緒，可後來我逐漸想通了一些事。」
「喔？比方說呢？」
「現在，每天只要能看見他，知道他很上進很努力，就覺得心情安定且平靜。」
艾蜜莉感嘆說：「唉！妳們中國有詩句說：請問這個世間感情是什麼玩意兒，總是要相戀相愛的情人們，要生不生要死不死的…」
夢影聽艾蜜莉描述完，才弄懂她說的是「問世間情為何物，直叫人生死相許」，夢影會心地笑著說：「我懂妳的意思，部長。」
「其實，偷偷告訴妳喔！總經理剛進來我們公司時，我就被他深深吸引住。」艾蜜莉臉上有著輕熟女的溫柔和嬌羞：「從來沒有哪個男人，能夠在剛認識時就令我傾心著迷，湯是頭一個。」
「喔？」夢影感興趣地問：「湯有什麼地方吸引妳？令妳傾心著迷？」
艾蜜莉回想著說：「他呀！身上散發著一股藝術家特有的浪漫氣息，善良、單純和書生的書卷氣質。」
夢影附和說：「湯的確是妳形容的這樣，沒錯啊！」
「可我腦筋很清醒，他是有家室的男人，雖然我欣賞他，或者說我暗戀、愛慕他，但我知道他很膽小，所以我跟他成為談得上話的朋友，而且從沒給他帶來任何困擾。」艾蜜莉接著說：「如果湯是希臘人，或許我會有種念頭，努力誘惑他，讓自己成為他的情婦。」
「嗯嗯！部長，其實我也有過跟妳類似的念頭，但不是情婦，而是當他的小老婆，可我同樣清楚，湯沒有這種膽識，就算安妮有這份雅量。」
艾蜜莉開心地說：「哈哈！唐，沒想到我們倆的情境如此相似，如果我沒猜錯，湯是妳的前男友吧？」
夢影幽幽說：「不是前男友，是我的未婚夫。」
艾蜜莉驚訝問：「未婚夫？妳跟湯訂有婚約？」
「嗯！我跟湯從小一起長大，小時候一起洗過澡，蓋過同一條眠被。」
「原來如此！難怪那天面試時，我發現湯面對妳時，似乎很心虛。妳跟湯有上過床嗎？」
「上床？」夢影訝然失笑說：「還來不及做那件事啦！我和湯都來自天主教家庭。」
艾蜜莉說：「喔！唐，做不成情人，還是可以成為好朋友的。」
夢影微笑說：「我知道，我正在努力調整心情中。」
「讓我們成為湯的好朋友吧？唐，夢影，我的中文發音還正確嗎？」
「可以啊！」夢影說：「艾蜜莉。」
兩女四目相視，會心微笑。
艾蜜莉問：「妳搬來跟我住，好嗎？」
「好啊！」夢影欣然答應。
「告訴妳另外一個小密秘喔！」艾蜜莉說：「我家浴室，正對著湯的書房。」
夢影不解地問：「喔？那是…」
艾蜜莉附耳低聲說：「每當湯一個人在書房裡看書打電腦，我就故意拉開窗簾，洗澡給湯看。」
「哈哈哈！」夢影開心笑了：「妳這是甜蜜的復仇，還是整人的誘惑啊？」
笑聲引起一些人注意的眼光，兩個輕熟女趕緊低下頭去，繼續偷笑。

06
湯懷民主持一級主管會議，他和安妮提出一個「大中華A四計畫」。他找來業務部主管艾森豪和動畫部主管艾蜜莉。
「艾森、艾咪，兩位都是我最信賴的好夥伴，找你們兩位過來，想跟你們討論，主題是如何讓分公司在這片土地上生根，逐漸在地化。」
艾森豪問：「總座，這構想老霍爾知情嗎？」
「我還沒跟他提過，等我們內部凝聚出共識，我跟安妮會擬份企劃案，專程回去加州總公司，尋求霍爾的支執。老霍爾成立上海分公司，目的是以中國作為根據地，拓展遠東地區的大華人動畫電影市場。」懷民接著說：「大華人市場幅員夠大，如果我們有心且有計劃地把分公司，打造成具有東方特色的一條巨龍，這市場足夠這條巨龍奔騰飛躍。」
「這構想不是不可行，但必須逐一克服許多問題和難關。」艾森豪接著分析說：「比方資金的取得，必須能結合本地業者資金，逐步邁向自給自足；人材的陪訓計畫要能兼顧台、港、星和東南亞華人圈；題材選擇必須具備市場的高接受度，逐步開發出穩定票房；當然還有其它方面。」
「艾森，你的分析相當精闢。」懷民接著問：「艾咪，說說看妳的想法吧？」
艾蜜莉說：「東方人，或者說主要的華人，文化內函和風俗民情，與西方社會有著相當差異性，既然我們的目標是要在這片土地上生根，然後在地化，就必須以東方社會的主流價值作為思考主軸。」
懷民問：「艾咪，妳能不能再說得具體些？」
「比方龍的意象，不只是圖騰，同時是華人族群的共同精神象徵。再比方長城，是漢民族抵禦來自北方牧民，拱衛精華的中原地區的歷史遺產。鬼狐傳說是華人想像和創意活力的領域。如果我們能大範圍思考這些題材，以東方的觀點充份表現這類題材，那麼我們就能順利建立起橋頭堡，立於不敗之地。」
懷民稱許說：「艾咪，妳很有見地，而且出乎我意料地，妳對東方文化和社會的理解，相當廣博。」
安妮說：「剛才艾咪的話給了我靈感，有一本書叫《聊齋誌異》，兩位不知是否聽過？」
艾蜜莉開心地說：「《聊齋誌異》這本書，是我最感興趣的中文書之一，雖然我的中文根基還很薄弱，但是大學時我就曾自修讀過這本書，裡面有許多人鬼狐仙之間互動的故事，相當有趣且溫馨感人。」
安妮微笑說：「沒錯！我想提的意見就是，《聊齋誌異》可以成為我們的創業代表作，如果我們能聯繫上本地的企業界金主和影視業者，就可以和對方談合作拍攝。」
「這主意很好，我樂觀相信它具有相當的市場接受度！」艾蜜莉立馬表態支持。
「那麼，就請艾森規畫資金籌募和市場拓展，艾咪積極培訓華人動畫師，我和安妮負責去接洽企業主和各地影視單位。」懷民又說：「當然，我們還必須召開主管會議，大夥兒一起腦力激蕩，針對資金、人材、市場行銷這三方面，提出一套具體可行的方案。」

07
風和日暖的假日，書房裡書桌前，湯懷民使用筆電撰寫「大中華A四計畫」企劃案草稿。對面是鄰居的浴室，懷民無意間抬起頭，發現有個女孩正在望著他，那女孩竟然是唐夢影。夢影跟他揮揮手，懷民平靜的心情起了些許波瀾。
「夢影幾時搬來跟艾蜜莉同住？」懷民也揮手致意，然後繼續埋頭忙著。
艾蜜莉走進來，站在夢影身後說：「總經理是個工作狂，假日裡他經常都是坐在書桌前忙公事，除了用餐時間。」
「以前，湯不是工作狂。」夢影回憶說：「他喜歡到處遊山玩水，攝影寫生。」
「人總是會隨著環境改變的。」艾蜜莉說：「我覺得樂在工作中的男人，渾身充滿魅力。」
夢影好奇問：「艾蜜莉，妳洗澡時，真的故意拉開窗簾啊？」
艾蜜莉微笑說：「那只是玩笑話啦！有一回我忘記拉窗簾，洗了好一會兒，才發現湯進來坐在書桌前，不過當時他在埋頭工作，並不是在偷看我。」
夢影釋懷說：「我還以為湯…」
「湯是個紳士，不是好色之徒。」艾蜜莉接著說：「湯要真是好色之徒，我早就想辦法誘惑他了。」
Chapter 32: Tang Mengying’s Understanding
01
The second arrow fired by Su Limin, ten days later, also met with “calm waters, no ripples.” Faced with the unusually quiet behavior of the couple, Tang Huaimin and Annie, and the ever-watchful Mr. Hall, Su Limin was not only puzzled but increasingly impatient. She decided to confront Annie directly, threatening her over the phone to force compliance. Unfortunately, Su Limin had no idea that Annie not only knew her identity but had also discovered that she no longer had any leverage.
In her assistant’s office, Annie was breastfeeding little Jiacuo when her phone rang. She placed the baby on her lap.
“Miss Annie? Ten days have passed, and you still haven’t answered me!”
Annie, recognizing the voice changer, played dumb: “Who is this? What am I supposed to answer you?”
“Leave Tang Huaimin, or I will destroy him!”
Annie’s tone remained calm: “If he truly betrayed you and abandoned you after using you, then by all means, destroy him—I will have no complaints.”
“Good for you! I’ll ruin his reputation so he won’t survive in the company. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
Annie remained composed: “What would I regret? The consequences of his actions are his alone to face.”
“You’re ruthless! Annie, pay attention to the newspapers and news in Shanghai and California these past few days.”
“Of course I have. Some female hacker tried to blackmail me and, failing that, threatened to sell my husband and me honeymoon photos to the press and TV stations.”
“What?” The other party suddenly went silent. Annie quietly imagined Su Limin’s flustered expression at that moment.
“Your honeymoon photos with your husband? You really dare to identify yourself, you shameless woman!”
“It’s not me who dares—it's you who hides your face, unwilling to show yourself. You’re the shameless one! If you dared to seduce my husband into a one-night affair, show your face!” The two women traded barbs across the line, but it was more farcical than fiery.
“We’ll see about that!” the other party said fiercely, then hung up.
Little Jiacuo, eyes half-closed, continued nursing peacefully.
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02
Su Limin felt thoroughly frustrated. She gradually realized that as long as her targets remained unmoved, she was powerless—her game had run its course.
She wrote an email to Mengying to express her feelings:
Sister,
This time I’ve really hit a wall! It feels like Tang Huaimin and his wife, along with Mr. Hall, have united against me. I have no leverage left! From now on, you’ll have to deal with Annie yourself. Be cautious under her watchful eyes—she’s a cunning sorceress! If you’re not confident you can defeat Annie, it’s better to leave Shanghai now.
Feeling powerless,Limin Receiving the email, Mengying felt disheartened: “If even my sister can’t handle Annie, what can I do?” Sitting at her desk, she stared at the bright moon outside, feeling an unprecedented helplessness and sorrow. She whispered to herself:
“Huaimin, why did childhood friends like us end up in this situation? If past lives exist, what did I owe you in that life that requires me, Tang Mengying, to suffer like this in this life to repay your debt…”
Two tears slid down her cheeks. She did not wipe them away, letting them hang freely.
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03
In the animation department training room, a group of newly recruited animators was undergoing a series of training courses.
“Today’s four lessons cover character modeling and design—these are foundational courses…” On the podium, Emily, their examiner and head of the animation department, lectured. Tang Mengying sat in the audience, attentive and taking notes, with a small recorder on the desk. Emily occasionally let her eyes linger briefly on Mengying.
“The character sheets provide guidelines for modeling the main and supporting characters. To accurately capture the look and personality, one must thoroughly study the script and the final screenplay. As far as I know, General Manager Tang and Assistant Annie are true masters in this area…”
Annie stood outside the back door, observing the trainees through the glass.
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04
Emily walked down the animation office corridor, handing out folders to the trainees. The last folder was given to Tang Mengying.
Emily smiled and praised her: “Your work is excellent—expressions are lively and natural, the style is personal. Among the trainees, your performance is the best. The General Manager certainly has an eye for talent. Keep it up, Tang.”
Mengying stood and bowed: “Thank you for your encouragement, Director.”
“Tang, I’ll treat you to afternoon tea later! I’ll wait at the little café,” Emily winked and turned away.
“Manager really does have an eye for talent…” Mengying thought repeatedly about Emily’s words, recalling that on the interview day, Tang Huaimin had been expressionless, almost robotic. She whispered to herself: “Huaimin, I know you’re not heartless.”
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05
At the small café, Emily and Tang Mengying sat across from each other on high stools, drinking coffee and eating pastries.
Emily asked: “Mengying, will you tell me what your relationship with the General Manager is?”
Mengying stirred her iced coffee with a small spoon, smiling but silent.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry into your privacy.”
Mengying calmly replied: “Director, even if there was a relationship, it’s in the past now.”
Emily asked curiously: “Oh? Did he betray you?”
Mengying nodded, a faint bitter smile on her face.
“You weren’t satisfied, so you followed him from Paris to Shanghai and even got into the company?”
“At first, yes, but later I gradually understood some things.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Now, every day I see him striving and working hard, I feel calm and at peace.”
Emily sighed: “Ah! In China there’s a poem: what is this thing called love, that lovers must suffer between life and death…”
Mengying listened and understood: it was the line: ‘Ask the world what love is, it makes people pledge life and death.’ She smiled knowingly: “I understand you, Director.”
“Actually, I’ll tell you a little secret! When the General Manager first joined, I was immediately captivated by him,” Emily said, with a gentle, mature warmth. “No man had ever attracted me so quickly—Tang was the first.”
“Oh?” Mengying asked with interest. “What about Tang attracted you?”
“He exudes a unique artistic romantic aura—kind, pure, scholarly,” Emily recalled.
Mengying agreed: “Yes, that’s exactly how Tang is.”
“But I was clear-minded; he had a family. I admired him, even secretly loved him, but I knew he was timid, so we remained friends, never troubling him,” Emily added.
“If Tang were Greek, I might have tried to seduce him to become his mistress,” Emily joked.
Mengying chuckled: “I had a similar thought, but not as a mistress—more like a second wife. But I knew he lacked such courage, even if Annie is generous.”
Emily laughed: “Tang, our situations are surprisingly similar. Let me guess, Tang was your ex-boyfriend?”
Mengying softly: “Not ex-boyfriend—he was my fiancé.”
Emily was shocked: “Fiancé? You were engaged to Tang?”
“Yes! We grew up together, bathed together as children, shared the same blanket.”
“Ah, that explains why during the interview, he seemed guilty facing you. Did you sleep with Tang?”
Mengying laughed lightly: “Sleep? That never happened! We were from Catholic families.”
Emily: “Oh! If you can’t be lovers, you can still be good friends.”
Mengying smiled: “I know, I’m working on adjusting my feelings.”
“Let’s be Tang’s good friends, shall we? Tang, Mengying, is my Chinese pronunciation correct?”
“Yes!” Mengying replied.
The two women shared a knowing smile.
Emily asked: “Do you want to move in and live with me?”
“Sure!” Mengying agreed happily.
“I’ll tell you another little secret!” Emily said. “My bathroom faces Tang’s study.”
Mengying puzzled: “Oh? That is…”
Emily leaned in: “Whenever Tang is alone in the study, reading or on his computer, I purposely open the curtain and take a shower for him to see.”
Mengying laughed: “Is this sweet revenge, or playful seduction?”
Their laughter drew some glances; the two women quickly looked down, giggling quietly.
________________________________________
06
Tang Huaimin chaired a meeting with senior supervisors, presenting the “Greater China A4 Project.” He invited Sales Director Eisenhower and Animation Director Emily.
“Eisen, Emi, you are my most trusted partners. I want to discuss how we can root the branch office locally and gradually localize.”
Eisenhower asked: “Chairman, is Mr. Hall aware of this plan?”
“Not yet. Once we reach internal consensus, Annie and I will draft a proposal to take back to California HQ for Hall’s support. The Shanghai branch exists to serve as a base in China to expand the Greater Chinese animation market,” Huaimin explained.
“The market is vast. If we deliberately and strategically build the branch with Eastern characteristics, it’s enough for our ‘dragon’ to soar,” he added.
Eisenhower: “The idea is feasible, but we must overcome challenges: funding, local partnerships, staff training across Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Southeast Asia, selecting commercially viable topics…”
Huaimin: “Excellent analysis, Eisen. Emi, what’s your take?”
Emily: “Eastern cultures, especially Chinese, differ greatly from Western norms. If we aim to root ourselves here, we must center on Eastern social values.”
Huaimin: “Be more specific.”
Emily: “The dragon symbolizes Chinese collective spirit. The Great Wall represents defense against northern invaders. Ghost and fox legends reflect imagination and creativity. Approaching topics from an Eastern perspective establishes a strong foothold.”
Huaimin praised: “Your insight is impressive. Your understanding of Eastern culture exceeds my expectations.”
Annie added: “Emily’s words inspired me. There’s a book called Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio—have you heard of it?”
Emily: “Yes! I read it in college. Stories between humans, ghosts, and fox spirits—very interesting and touching.”
Annie: “Exactly! This could be our signature project. We can collaborate with local investors and media companies.”
Emily immediately supported the idea: “Great! I believe it has strong market appeal.”
Huaimin: “Eisen, plan funding and market expansion; Emi, train Chinese animators; Annie and I handle business and media partnerships. We’ll also convene a management meeting to brainstorm concrete plans for funding, talent, and marketing.”
________________________________________
07
On a sunny holiday, Huaimin worked at his desk on the “Greater China A4 Project” draft. Across from him, the neighbor’s bathroom came into view. He noticed a girl looking at him—it was Tang Mengying. She waved, causing a ripple in his calm.
“When did Mengying move in with Emily?” he wondered, waving back before resuming work.
Emily came in and stood behind Mengying: “The GM is a workaholic. On holidays, he spends most of his time at the desk.”
Mengying recalled: “He wasn’t always a workaholic. He loved travel, photography, and sketching.”
Emily: “People change with their environment. A man passionate about work is very attractive.”
Mengying: “Emily, did you really open the curtain when showering?”
Emily smiled: “Just joking! Once I forgot, and Tang happened to be at his desk. He was working, not peeping.”
Mengying relaxed: “I thought Tang might…”
Emily: “He’s a gentleman, not lecherous. If he were, I would’ve seduced him already.”