《拉薩情書》

第十九章、安妮的博士論文
01
安妮進到李建華的研究室，李建華拿起一份裝訂稿，起身走來：「安妮，妳的博論新題目和論文大綱，我詳細閱讀了，結構上找不到明顯瑕疵，不過，修辭學領域我不在行，這部份我沒有置喙餘地。妳可以考慮換指導教授，文學系的梁文青專治修辭學，是個不錯的人選。」
「Uncle，可我不認識梁老師。」
「那我幫妳打個電話，我和梁私交不錯，常一起旅行。」
「Uncle，我改成這題目，覺得有些撈過界…。」安妮說出心中的疑慮。
李建華分析說：「這題目的確比較像是文學所的研究領域，但是跨領域的研究，其實也很尋常，藝術和文學沒那麼壁壘分明。妳不必擔心往後系所裡，招聘教師時的論文審查，妳的博論做跨領域研究，反而是好事，讓審查委員知道，妳還有文學這方面的本事。」
「那我，是不是先去旁聽梁老師的課吧？雖然以往我曾自修過修辭學和語法學。」
李建華說：「這樣也好，一來修辭學是妳論文裡主要的方法論之一，把它讀得通透精熟，有助於妳論述文本；二來給梁教授一個好印象。梁出身北大中文所，這人治學嚴謹，對學生要求相對較高，不過，由他指導妳的博論，對妳往後在學術圈謀職，肯定有加分作用。等我跟他約好時間，妳就帶著論文大綱去找他。」
安妮鞠躬說：「Uncle，謝謝你悉心安排。」
建華微笑說：「跟我客氣啥嘞？對了！昨晚妳跟懷民鬧彆扭啊？」
安妮歉然說：「讓Uncle操心了，不好意思！」
「當時他像隻無頭蒼蠅，著急得很！我看得出來，他是很在乎妳的。」
「昨晚我跟懷民懇談過，他答應這月底要跟我回去台灣，一起面對那女孩。」
建華欣慰說：「那就好，有緣做夫妻，應該要彼此相扶持，共同面對問題。我立馬安排妳和梁教授見面，妳回家等我電話囉。」

02
傍晚，倉央家的客廳裡，小倆口一起吃著晚餐。
「安妮，我想收掉人像畫攤，週末在家裡加強語文。」
「嗯，我知道，你接了狄士尼的工作，的確忙不過來。」
「妳的博士論文大綱，李教授怎麼說？」
「Uncle說我的論文是做跨領域的研究，建議我找文學所的梁教授來指導論文。」
「妳改的那題目，的確偏重文本方面的研究。」
「還好，以往我就涉獵過修辭和語法學。在拉薩，你不是讀過我回給你的那首詩？」
懷民微笑說：「那首詩，寫得很好啊！可以感覺出當時妳心裡的疑慮。」
「其實，從中學時代，我就寫些華文和英文新詩、散文，投稿到這裡的報紙。」
懷民驚豔說：「喔？我的妻子原來是位作家。」
安妮微笑說：「稱不上作家啦！就隨性地寫，當成生活調劑。吃過飯後，我拿剪報冊給你看。」
懷民說：「對了，明天下班回程，我去買些草莓苗來栽種。」
「你順道載兩包米糠和一包乾雞糞肥料回來，草莓和後院裡那幾株櫻桃樹、蘋果樹都須要翻土施肥，它們即將進入開花期。」
「嗯！我還想買一批櫻桃和蘋果樹苗，帶回去阿里山試種看看。我老家海拔夠高氣候冷涼濕潤，應該種得起來。」
安妮說：「可以啊！你到底還是脫離不了農夫本色。來，喝一碗愛玉皮燉雞湯。」
安妮拿起一只空碗，勺了一碗雞湯遞給懷民。
客廳裡，懷民斜躺在太師椅上，翻閱著安妮的作品剪報冊。安妮在陽台晾掛衣服。
「懷民，這趟回去台灣，好言跟唐小姐說清楚，請她放你一馬；再怎麼說我都是介入者，雖然事前我並不知情。」
「好啦！我做好心理準備，打不還手罵不還口。」懷民接著說：「妳不是說要換指導教授？這本剪報冊可以一道帶去給那位教授看，讓他知道妳不是文學的門外漢，他會對妳另眼相看的…」
「不好吧？梁教授是修辭學專家，我端著這本剪報冊去見他，不就是關老爺面前耍大刀嗎？」
懷民起身，對安妮搖著手指說：「不必然！我覺得妳的文筆相當棒啊！」

03
穿過文學院長廊，安妮來到梁教授研究室門口。
「教授，我是安妮。」
桌前的梁教授起身說：「請進。」
安妮進到研究室，梁文青說：「坐著談！不用太拘束。」
安妮在沙發上坐下，梁文青問：「茶還是咖啡？」
安妮微笑說：「茶。」
梁文青沖了一壺茶，倒出兩杯：「請用茶。」
「謝謝老師。」安妮端起茶杯。
「建華學兄一直很照顧我，從我來柏克來那一年。這是頭一回，他交代我為他做些事，說妳是他恩師的孫女，好友的女兒，藝研所裡的高材生。」梁文青端起茶杯，喝了一口接著說：「其實，我對學生一視同仁，要求同樣的標準。」
「是！李教授有說過，老師治學素來嚴謹。」安妮把博論大綱和剪報冊影本取出，雙手恭敬地呈給梁文青：「老師，這是我的博論大綱和發表過的作品集剪報冊。」
「我看看。」梁文青摘下眼鏡，快速翻閱論文大綱說：「概念清晰，妳涉獵過修辭學和語法學。」
安妮說：「學生因為興趣，平時自修的。」
梁文青接著翻閱那冊剪報影本，一頁一頁徐徐翻閱，眼睛發亮，臉上泛出笑意：「原來，那位叫安妮雅的女作家，就是妳。妳發表的大部份作品，我都拜讀過，應報社主編約稿，我還曾寫過一篇妳的詩作品評論呢！」
安妮謙虛說：「老師，你過獎了！」
梁文青正色說：「就創作而言，妳相當有天份，我說的是真心話！文學所裡的學生，做研究沒啥問題，搞創作真有天份的，究竟還是少數。以妳作品的質量，在妳這年紀有如此的成績，我可以預言，將來文學史裡，妳肯定有一席之地。」
安妮臉紅低下頭來，喝著那杯茶：「老師，我可以去旁聽你的修辭學嗎？」
「歡迎啊！」梁文青開心說：「得英材而教之，一樂也！」
安妮取出手提袋裡的三盒土產，擱在桌面說：「老師，這是從家裡帶來的土產，一點敬意。」
梁文青笑盈盈說：「謝謝。論文大綱我拜讀後，給妳電話。」
「老師，最近會跟外子一起回去台灣，可能會待上半個月。」
梁文青說：「好的！那麼年底時，約個日子妳過來，我跟妳討論這份論文大綱。」

04
院子裡，小倆口分頭忙著，安妮拿著小鏟子，給草莓田施肥覆土；懷民拿大圓鍬和鋤頭，先將蘋果樹和櫻桃樹底下的土翻鬆，倒了米糠和肥料下去攪勻，再蓋上一層薄土。
安妮的手邊工作告一段落，起身走到門邊，提起那壺冰鎮過的愛玉檸檬，來到懷民面前：「休息一下吧！」
安妮倒出一杯愛玉檸檬遞給懷民，懷民三口喝完。
「這幾株老樹，歲數恐怕不只半百吧？」
「是啊！前任屋主種的，我祖母買下這房產時，就已經年年開花結果了。」
「美國人真懂得生活情趣，會把果樹種在院子裡。」
「其實都差不多吧？生活在郊區的居民，注重生活品質，才會預留庭院。城市裡寸土寸金，地皮都拿來蓋商辦大樓和公寓。」
懷民抱怨說：「我家的院子就很小，只能停個兩部車。每到咖啡和茶葉採收期，車子都得停到大門外，小小的院子要曝曬茶葉和咖啡豆，根本不敷使用。」
安妮提議說「那就另外買塊地皮，自己來設計和規劃空間囉！」
「也只有這個辦法，只不過要說服我父母親搬離開部落，恐怕得費一翻唇舌吧？」
安妮微笑說：「他們喜歡熱鬧，和親友擠著住在一起，也是人之常情啊！」

Chapter 19: Annie’s Doctoral Dissertation
01
Annie entered Professor Li Jianhua’s research office. Li picked up a bound draft and said:
“Annie, I’ve read your new dissertation topic and outline in detail. Structurally, there are no obvious flaws. However, I’m not an expert in rhetoric, so I can’t advise on that. You may consider switching supervisors; Professor Liang Wenqing in the literature department specializes in rhetoric and is a good choice.”
“But Uncle, I don’t know Professor Liang,” Annie replied.
“I can call him for you. I’m on good terms with Liang and often travel with him.”
“Uncle, I worry that changing the topic crosses boundaries…” Annie expressed her concern.
Li analyzed: “It’s true that this topic leans more toward literature. But interdisciplinary research is common; art and literature aren’t strictly separated. Don’t worry about thesis review for faculty recruitment. Your cross-disciplinary research may even impress the committee, showing your literary skills.”
“So should I audit Professor Liang’s classes first? I’ve self-studied rhetoric and grammar before.”
“That’s good. Rhetoric is one of your main methodologies; mastering it will strengthen your argument. It also leaves a good impression on Professor Liang. He studied Chinese at Peking University, is rigorous, and demands a lot. But having him supervise your dissertation will be a plus for your academic career. Once I schedule a meeting, you can take your outline to him.”
Annie bowed: “Thank you, Uncle, for arranging everything.”
Li smiled: “No need to be formal! By the way, did you and Huaimin have a spat last night?”
Annie apologized: “Sorry to worry you, Uncle.”
“At the time, he was like a headless fly, very anxious! I could tell he cares about you.”
“Last night I talked with Huaimin; he agreed to go back to Taiwan with me at the end of the month to face that girl together.”
Li was relieved: “Good. A married couple should support each other and face problems together. I’ll arrange a meeting with Professor Liang; wait for my call at home.”
________________________________________
02
In the evening at the Cangyang residence, the couple had dinner together.
“Annie, I want to close my portrait stall and focus on language studies at home on weekends.”
“I understand; with your Disney work, it’s hard to manage.”
“What did Professor Li say about your dissertation outline?”
“He said it’s cross-disciplinary and suggested Professor Liang from the literature department as my advisor.”
“The new topic leans more toward textual research.”
“That’s fine; I’ve studied rhetoric and grammar before. Remember the poem I sent you from Lhasa?”
Huaimin smiled: “That poem was very good; I could sense your concerns.”
“Actually, since middle school, I’ve been writing Chinese and English poems and essays, submitting them to newspapers.”
Huaimin was amazed: “Oh? My wife is a writer!”
“Not really, just casual writing as a pastime. After dinner, I’ll show you my clippings.”
“Tomorrow on the way back, I’ll buy some strawberry seedlings.”
“Bring two bags of rice bran and chicken fertilizer too; the strawberries and cherry and apple trees in the backyard need soil and fertilizer—they’re about to bloom.”
“I also want to buy more cherry and apple saplings to try in Alishan. The climate there is high, cool, and humid; they should grow.”
“Sure! You can’t escape your farmer nature. Here, have a bowl of aiyu jelly chicken soup.”
Annie scooped a bowl and handed it to Huaimin.
In the living room, Huaimin leaned back in his chair, flipping through Annie’s clippings while Annie hung clothes on the balcony.
“Huaimin, when we return to Taiwan, speak clearly with Miss Tang. Ask her to let you go. After all, I’m just an interloper, even if I didn’t know beforehand.”
“Alright, I’m prepared,” Huaimin said. “You mentioned changing supervisors. You can bring this clipping book to show Professor Liang so he knows you’re not a literature novice; he’ll respect you more.”
“Wouldn’t that be showing off in front of the master?”
Huaimin shook his finger: “Not necessarily! I think your writing is excellent.”
________________________________________
03
Walking through the literature department corridor, Annie arrived at Professor Liang’s office.
“Professor, I’m Annie.”
Liang stood: “Come in.”
Annie entered; Liang said: “Sit and relax.”
Annie sat on the sofa. Liang asked: “Tea or coffee?”
“Tea, thank you.”
Liang poured two cups: “Please have some.”
“Thanks, Professor.” Annie lifted the cup.
“Senior Jianhua has always helped me since I came to Berkeley. He asked me to assist him. He said you’re the granddaughter of his mentor and the daughter of a close friend, and an outstanding student at the Art Research Institute.” Liang sipped tea: “I treat all students the same, holding the same standards.”
“Yes! Professor Li has always been strict,” Annie said, presenting her dissertation outline and clipping portfolio.
“Let me see.” Liang removed his glasses and quickly scanned the outline: “Concepts are clear; you’ve studied rhetoric and grammar.”
“I self-studied for interest.”
Liang reviewed the clippings, page by page, eyes bright, smiling: “So the writer Annie Ya is you. I’ve read most of your published works. When I was a newspaper editor, I even reviewed one of your poems.”
Annie humbly: “Professor, you overpraise me!”
Liang, serious: “You have talent, genuinely. Few literature students can research and create at such a level. With your work quality, you’ll have a place in literary history.”
Blushing, Annie sipped her tea: “Professor, may I audit your rhetoric class?”
“Of course! Teaching talented students is a joy!”
Annie placed three boxes of local gifts on the desk: “From home, as a token of respect.”
Liang smiled: “Thank you. I’ll read your outline and call you.”
“I’ll return to Taiwan with my husband soon, possibly for half a month.”
“Alright! Then we’ll schedule a meeting at year-end to discuss your dissertation outline.”
04
In the yard, the couple busied themselves separately. Annie took a small shovel to fertilize and cover the soil of the strawberry field, while Huaimin took a large spade and hoe to loosen the soil under the apple and cherry trees, poured in rice bran and fertilizer, mixed it well, and then covered it with a thin layer of soil.
When Annie finished her task, she stood up, went to the door, and carried a pot of chilled lemon aiyu (jelly fig) drink to Huaimin. “Take a break!” she said, pouring a cup of the drink for him. Huaimin finished it in three quick sips.
“These old trees—aren’t they over fifty years old?” he asked.
“Yes, the previous owner planted them. When my grandmother bought this property, they were already flowering and bearing fruit every year,” Annie replied.
“Americans really know how to enjoy life—they plant fruit trees in their yards.”
“Actually, it’s pretty much the same anywhere. Suburban residents value quality of life and keep yards. In the city, land is so expensive, it’s all used for commercial buildings and apartments,” Annie explained.
Huaimin complained, “Our yard is so small, it only fits two cars. During coffee and tea harvests, the cars have to be parked outside, and the small yard isn’t enough for drying the beans and leaves.”
Annie suggested, “Then buy another plot of land and design the space yourself!”
“That’s the only solution, but convincing my parents to leave the tribe might take a lot of talking,” Huaimin replied.
Annie smiled: “They like being around family and friends—it’s natural.”