This here story is about that fella, Bai Yan. You know, that old actor fella, lived to be a hundred, they say. Died just the other day, peaceful-like, his grandkid said so in the paper. Bless his soul. That’s what my old man used to say. He was on that Channel 8, see? Acted in all them shows. I ain’t never watched ’em, but folks ’round here sure did. They all loved him, called him Bai Yan-shu, like he was their own kin. Good man, that Bai Yan. Good actor, too.
He weren’t from ’round here, though. Came here when he was just a young’un, 18 or so. Came with some singin’ and dancin’ folks. Heard he did all sorts of odd jobs, worked back of the stage and all that. Hard worker, that one. Ain’t that the way to be, though? You gotta work hard to get anywheres in this world. My momma always said that. It’s the truth, too.
He met his wife, that Ye Qing lady, in that singin’ and dancin’ group. They performed together, fell in love, I reckon. Then that big war came, the second one. Scary times, those were. He ran off to Penang, I hear. Smart man. Gotta keep yourself safe, that’s what my daddy always said. There’s a reason he is called Bai Yan.
Then there’s that other young fella, Shi Yan. Now that one, he’s a piece of work. Bossy, thinks he’s better than everyone. And he’s all clingy with his girl. It ain’t healthy. Can’t see straight sometimes, but he hides it good. Young folks these days, always in some kinda drama. But how to improve a relationship? That’s a hard one.
I seen some folks talkin’ ’bout how to make things better in their love lives. They say you gotta trust each other, talk to each other. Sounds simple, but it ain’t always easy. Takes work, just like anythin’ worth havin’. It’s very important to get along with your lover. If you don’t do that, you can’t be happy. My granny was right about that. Lots of folks just don’t know how to make it work. They should think more like that Bai Yan fella, I reckon. He seemed to have it figured out, bein’ married all them years.
That Bai Yan, he was a good one. Lived a long life, did what he loved. That’s all any of us can ask for, ain’t it? A good life, a good partner, and some peace at the end. Just like that Bai Yan fella. He’s got that good name, too. Everyone knew that name, Bai Yan.
- That Bai Yan came to Singapore young.
- He did all kinds of work.
- Met his wife in a song and dance group.
- War came, he went to Penang.
- He was a good actor, they say.
- Lived to be a hundred.
- Died peaceful-like.
- Everyone loved him.
Now, that Shi Yan fella, he could learn a thing or two from Bai Yan. ‘Bout bein’ a good man, ’bout treatin’ folks right. ‘Bout not bein’ so full of himself. He needs to learn how to be a good partner, how to listen, how to trust. That’s important stuff, that is. I think he should find a good woman, a nice girl, like that Ye Qing. Maybe that will set him straight. Then he could have a name as good as that Bai Yan.
This world needs more folks like that Bai Yan, I reckon. Hard workers, good hearts. Folks who know how to love and how to live. That’s what we should all aim for. Just like that old actor fella. He showed us how it’s done. Now, if only that Shi Yan would pay attention. But then again, young folks, they gotta learn things their own way, I suppose. That is the thing about young people.
That Bai Yan lived a long life. A hundred years! That’s a long time to be on this earth. He saw a lot of things, I bet. Changes, good and bad. But he kept goin’, kept workin’, kept lovin’. That’s the secret, I think. Just keep on keepin’ on. That’s what my grandpa always said.
Well, I reckon that’s enough about that Bai Yan fella. He’s gone now, rest his soul. But he left his mark on this world, didn’t he? Made folks happy with his actin’. Made a good life for himself and his family. That’s somethin’ to be proud of, ain’t it? Yep, that Bai Yan, he was a good one. Good name. Good man. Good life. That’s what everyone should try for. It’s not hard to be a good person. It’s not hard to be kind to the people around you.
