Character Analysis: Lang Tao
Original Author: Red Plum Blossoms Proudly Welcome the Cold, Date: August 25, 2025
Lang Tao is a very promising young intellectual in "Black and White"—a returnee doctoral graduate who went straight into a prestigious university as an associate professor upon his return to China, then transitioned from academia to politics. On his political path, he rose steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming provincial propaganda minister. He could be called a life winner in everyone's eyes. The traditional Chinese ideal of "excel in learning to enter officialdom" [note: Confucian concept linking scholarly achievement to government service]—achieving official position through education—has been the dream pursuit of dozens of generations. Lang Tao walked precisely this enviable path of entering politics through scholarship.
I. Background and Upbringing
Lang Tao was intelligent from childhood, handsome with refined features and distinguished bearing, particularly likeable. At fifteen, he was admitted to Dongjiang University's (equivalent to today's top-tier 985 universities [note: China's elite university classification]) Philosophy Department. He graduated at nineteen with excellent grades and was recommended for graduate studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Philosophy, pursuing a master's in aesthetics. At twenty-two, he earned his master's degree and went to Germany as a government-sponsored student to study philosophy at Marburg University. After obtaining his doctoral degree in philosophy, he remained at the university specializing in Heidegger research. At twenty-five, he published the German work "On Heidegger's Poetics," which caused a strong reaction in academic circles. At twenty-six, he was recruited back to China as special talent, and at twenty-eight was exceptionally promoted to professor, becoming a striking new star in academic circles—combining scholarship with good looks.
Lang Tao's father, Lang Yongliang, was also a top student who studied at Peking University. After graduating from PKU, he was assigned to teach in Dongjiang University's Chinese Literature Department. By his thirties, he had become a leader in Chinese literary history research, an expert in the field. In the mid-1950s, he served as associate director of Dongjiang University's Chinese Literature Department. Had he not been labeled a rightist during the Anti-Rightist Campaign [note: 1957 political movement], his prospects would have been limitless. Due to his participation in the Anti-Rightist Campaign, Lang Yongliang fell from life's peak into a valley, transferred from Dongjiang University to teach at Chuzhou Teachers College. Chuzhou Teachers College was then only a junior college for teacher training—falling from a prestigious university to a junior college left Lang Yongliang's mood understandably low.
"In poverty, perfect one's personal virtue; in success, help save the world" [note: Mencius quote about Confucian ideals] is a Chinese intellectual tradition. After being demoted to work at Chuzhou Teachers College, Lang Yongliang felt his official career was hopeless, so he became content with his fate, accepting his circumstances, burying himself in Laozi and Zhuangzi's philosophy with carefree contentment, finding life's pleasures in family happiness. After Lang Tao was born, Lang Yongliang devoted all his energy to cultivating his son, hoping to nurture him into talent.
Lang Tao's mother, Qi Shizhen, wasn't well-educated but was a reasonable woman who observed traditional wifely duties and was gentle and virtuous. At home, she wholeheartedly served her husband and son, obeying her husband in everything with few opinions of her own. Previously she worked as an accountant in Chuzhou Teachers College's logistics department; after moving back to Dongjiang University with her husband, she continued working in logistics.
II. Lang Tao's University Period
By age three, Lang Tao could recite the Three Hundred Tang Poems and could recite Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering" backwards and forwards. The exceptional talent Lang Tao displayed as a child allowed Lang Yongliang to see his own youthful ideals that had been buried. He hoped his son would attend Peking University or Dongjiang University. Lang Tao indeed didn't disappoint his father's high expectations, gaining admission to Dongjiang University with first-place scores.
After graduating from Dongjiang University, he went to West Germany as a government-sponsored student. His advisor was Professor Beer. Within a few years, Lang Tao became a striking new star in international Heidegger research. Professor Beer, director of Marburg University's Philosophy Department, was Heidegger's disciple and an authority in international Heidegger studies. He gave Lang Tao's doctoral dissertation high praise: "Through his thesis, Mr. Lang Tao extended intellectual perception deep into Heidegger research, exploring the separation and development of his thought, and discovered its hidden connections..." Professor Beer greatly appreciated this young, intelligent Chinese youth and hoped he could remain at Marburg University as an assistant professor specializing in Heidegger research.
III. Lang Tao's Teaching Period at Dongjiang University
After earning his doctorate, Lang Tao didn't follow his advisor's wish to remain teaching at Marburg University but returned to his homeland according to his father's expectations, joining Dongjiang University's Philosophy Department as an associate professor. Within less than a year, he was exceptionally promoted to professor. At that time, Lang Tao was twenty-six years old—professors at his age were extremely rare nationwide. A year later, Lang Yongliang was transferred back to Dongjiang University's Chinese Literature Department from Chuzhou Teachers College.
During the student unrest at Dongjiang University triggered by moldy food, Lang Tao also participated. When he saw those vigorous young faces in the protest march, he was involuntarily infected by their energy. He deeply believed he was part of the great torrent creating history, like intellectuals such as Sartre during the "May Storm" [note: 1968 French student protests]—perhaps this was precisely the ideal he pursued in returning from overseas. But who could have predicted the sudden change in circumstances? The student movement quickly spiraled out of control, evolving into a riot. His scheduled lecture was suddenly canceled, then he heard news of "The Great River Flows East" [note: likely a cultural program] being suspended. Lang Tao, whose heart had been filled with light, suddenly felt as if he was standing on a cliff's edge, with an unseen abyss beneath his feet.
The provincial committee's investigation team compiled a list of university teachers who had participated in petition signings and protest gatherings, requiring universities to take action. Lang Tao's name was on this list. Lang Tao felt as if a hand had suddenly pushed him hard from behind; he swayed, seemingly about to fall off the cliff, but his father's words pulled him back: "However, Principal He removed your name from the list. For this matter, old Governor Song Qiankun also intervened..." Lang Tao hadn't expected so many interpersonal relationships hidden behind this series of events.
During his teaching period at Dongjiang University, Lang Tao had a romantic relationship with student Li Hong. Li Hong liked Lang Tao's scholarship and good looks; Lang Tao liked Li Hong's passion and sensuality. During their romance, his father Lang Yongliang had already arranged with Principal He Shouwu for He Shouwu's daughter He Li to marry Lang Tao. When at Chuzhou Teachers College, the Lang and He families were close as relatives. Lang Tao and He Li were childhood sweethearts, like siblings, like legendary childhood friends. Lang Tao remembered this, so during his relationship with Li Hong, despite mixed feelings of doubt, misunderstanding, and even suspicion, he did like Li Hong. Her unrestrained, passionate, almost wild character, including her pervasive sensuality, all made Lang Tao's heart flutter. They loved each other this way, often appearing in the school's lovers' grove.
IV. Lang Tao Abandons Teaching for Politics
As reform and opening up deepened, organizational departments increasingly emphasized youth and specialization in cadre appointment standards. Those with overseas education became practically golden credentials. Education levels—having or lacking education, high or low education, domestic versus overseas degrees, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees—had decisive influence on official careers. Higher education and degrees meant greater promotion possibilities, while actual work ability and achievements seemed negligible, at least becoming less important than before. Consequently, buying degrees and academic credentials became widespread in official circles.
In this atmosphere, Lang Tao abandoned teaching for politics, entering officialdom. In the 1980s, people like Lang Tao—university professors and returnee doctoral graduates transitioning to politics—were still uncommon. Lang Tao could be said to have met his moment; his identity as university professor and returnee doctoral graduate made him highly favored by organizational departments from the moment he entered officialdom from Dongjiang University, being included among reserve cadre training targets—designated key promotion candidates.
Working at grassroots level is an important way for organizational departments to examine and cultivate cadres; Lang Tao also needed grassroots experience. Initially, the organization department planned to assign Lang Tao to a provincial university, but a leader from the provincial higher education committee, who also served as deputy minister in charge of young cadres at the provincial organization department, was Song Qiankun's former subordinate and leaked this intention to his old superior early. After Song Qiankun stepped down from leadership, he rarely inquired about former subordinates' work, but this time was an exception. He immediately raised objections: "Lang Tao originally came from universities; sending him back to university work won't achieve the effect of exercising and cultivating cadres. What intellectual cadres like him most lack is practical work experience—better send him to grassroots!" Thus, Lang Tao was reassigned to serve as deputy district governor in charge of culture in Niangzi District.
Lang Tao was genuinely grateful to Old Song, while also feeling somewhat uneasy about advancing in his career through his father's and Song Qiankun's "generational friendship." From high school through university, then from overseas study back to teaching at Dongjiang University, Lang Tao's academic achievements were entirely due to his own talent and effort. Now in officialdom, he had to rely on his elders' protection for promotion opportunities—something Lang Tao, who had strong self-respect since childhood, couldn't accept. He believed that just as he achieved enviable academic success, he could equally succeed in officialdom.
After being assigned as deputy governor of Niangzi District, Lang Tao threw himself into work, managing carefully, cultivating relationships with people from all walks of life, indeed putting full effort and energy into his responsibilities.
First, he strongly supported Wu Bozhong's construction of Wu Ancestral Hall on Phoenix Island, vigorously promoting Yuan Ji culture [note: likely a traditional cultural movement], creating Niangzi District's cultural symbol. This attracted many tourists from other places. Gradually, tourists came to Phoenix Island in endless streams, establishing Phoenix Island's reputation—a major achievement for Deputy Governor Lang Tao.
Then he cultivated relationships with renowned entrepreneurs Zong Tianyi and Du Wei. Later, hearing that the Ba Dong couple had become business elites in Beijing, he invited them to tour Phoenix Island and personally received them, thus cultivating Ba Dong and Yan Bei (Yan Bei is Hong Taixing's sister; Ba Dong is Yan Bei's husband and also the actual manager of Hong Taixing's Hurricane Group), ultimately achieving the goal of cultivating "Beijing Master Hong"—Hong Taixing.
Within a few years, Lang Tao created a new world in Niangzi District. The Phoenix Tourism Island built under his guidance became the province's pilot experimental zone for cultural tourism reform, and he himself was promoted to deputy minister of the provincial propaganda department. This time it wasn't through Song Qiankun's "intervention" but through his own work achievements. After becoming deputy minister of provincial propaganda, Lang Tao continued developing Phoenix Island resort and fully supported Du Wei's Popular Art Media Group's IPO.
Soon, Lang Tao was promoted from deputy minister to minister of provincial propaganda. According to propaganda department leadership division of labor, after Lang Tao's promotion to minister, the Popular Art Media Group's IPO work should have been handled by his successor as deputy minister. But since Lang Tao had been managing this from the beginning, even after becoming propaganda minister, Du Wei continued reporting to Minister Lang.
During Popular Media Group's IPO preparation, once when Du Wei reported to Lang Tao, he omitted specific details about Popular Art Media Group's IPO application passing the Securities Regulatory Commission meeting, instead emphasizing the key role Ba Dong and Hong Taixing played. Ba Dong said: "Without Master Hong's connections, our meeting application this time might have been shelved again like last time. The newly appointed Securities Regulatory Commission vice chairman responsible for reviewing listed company applications is an old subordinate of Hong Taixing's father." Over these years, for Popular Art Media Group's IPO project, Lang Tao invested considerable effort, not only monitoring every step of progress but personally accompanying Du Wei to Beijing to find Hong Taixing for relationship networking after the first meeting failure, because Hong Taixing had extensive connections with governing leaders. Lang Tao and Du Wei specifically invited Yan Bei and Ba Dong to tour Phoenix Island, having Yan Bei and Ba Dong greet Hong Taixing on their behalf. When visiting Hong Taixing's residence in Miyun, the greeting gift Du Wei and Lang Tao brought was the property deed for a Phoenix Island art village villa—presenting a Phoenix Island resort villa upon meeting.
For the art village villa project, Lang Tao used connections from his previous role as Niangzi District deputy governor, ensuring green lights all the way—from land acquisition procedures, converting agricultural to commercial land, changing small to large property rights, converting art studios to private residences, etc. From project approval to construction start took less than a year, whereas following normal procedures, approval would be difficult, and even if possible, would take at least two to three years. All this was to secure Hong Taixing's and his Hurricane Investment's actual controlling support for Popular Art Group's IPO project. But Hong Taixing seemed unimpressed by the "greeting gift" he and Lang Tao presented, taking the property deed and setting it aside without a glance.
On the road from Miyun back to Beijing, Ba Dong told him and Lang Tao that Hong Taixing agreed to further "smooth relationships" but proposed three requirements: first, increase Hurricane Investment Company's shareholding ratio in Popular Art Media Group; second, submit a list for gifting Popular Art Media original shares; third, introduce American Duke Company to participate preferentially in Dongjiang Steel Group's merger and acquisition project.
Back at their Beijing hotel, Du Wei and Lang Tao looked at the original share gift list Ba Dong had given them—they recognized none of those names, but all shared one common characteristic: they were all women. Du Wei found this strange and privately asked Ba Dong, who was evasive and secretive. Only after repeated questioning did he reveal some information: "They're all wives of central ministerial-level or higher leaders. Master Hong's ability to wield influence in Beijing relies entirely on these relationships." Now Du Wei completely understood, but he didn't tell Lang Tao. Lang Tao was a scholar-turned-leader who, despite boldly implementing reforms in cultural tourism markets, was usually cautious and serious in conducting business. Du Wei worried that knowing this would frighten him, as this violated national regulations on joint-stock company management. But actually, Lang Tao was already somewhat hesitant, especially regarding letting American Duke Company participate preferentially in Dongsteel Group's merger project—this far exceeded his authority.
Popular Art Media Group was Dongjiang Province's first cultural industry preparing to go public. Both provincial party committee and government attached great importance, with Provincial Propaganda Minister Wei personally serving as IPO project leadership group leader. But he was transferred up from municipal level with relatively conservative views, not enthusiastic about Popular Art's listing, always wanting to halt this project. If not for Lang Tao's consistent support, it would have been terminated long ago. Now Hong Taixing proposed these three harsh conditions—wouldn't this give Minister Wei even more reason to terminate the project?
Lang Tao and Du Wei deliberated half the night without reaching a decision. Fortunately, Minister Wei soon retired to second-line positions, and Lang Tao took over as minister. Only then did the Popular Art IPO project see light after darkness, welcoming unexpected opportunity. "Hopefully there won't be complications," Lang Tao's face showed an inscrutable smile.
Du Wei understood that Lang Tao's "complications" referred to recent riots at Dongjiang Steel Group, forcing the originally intensive Duke Company-Dongsteel merger project to temporarily halt. Duke Company's preferential participation in Dongsteel merger was one condition for Hong Taixing and Hurricane Investment's equity participation in Popular Art Media Group and assistance with IPO operations. With this incident, both Du Wei and Lang Tao worried their IPO efforts would be wasted, but apparently it hadn't been too significantly affected.
Over these years, Lang Tao devoted all his energy to cultural industry reform, with Dajiang Art Media Group as his pilot project. Success or failure would not only determine provincial cultural industry development but also relate to Lang Tao's own advancement. For the group's IPO, Du Wei made countless trips to Beijing—even Jiang Lili joked that he was Beijing office director. Now, only one step remained from success, and Du Wei completely understood Lang Tao's feelings. When building the art village villas, besides giving introduced artists like Song Xiaofan and the Ba Dong-Hong Yanbei couple each a villa, Du Wei also reserved one each for himself, Lang Tao, and several other provincial leaders. At market price, each villa was worth at least over three million yuan, but they only needed to pay around 100,000 yuan for full ownership rights. Du Wei didn't want only artists to enjoy such benefits—he and Lang Tao had invested tremendous effort in establishing the art village project on Phoenix Island, so getting a villa wasn't excessive.
V. In High Position, Unable to Escape Tailor-Made Temptations
1. Someone Prepares Beautiful Women for Lang Tao
As a scholar-turned-official, Lang Tao worked diligently. Outside work, his only hobby was watching performances and dancing. His tango and waltz were quite authentic—truly worthy of a doctoral graduate who had studied abroad. After Du Wei learned of this hobby, he had Phoenix Island resort hotel specially form an art troupe, even poaching Zong Tianyi's beautiful wife Meng Fei from the provincial song and dance troupe to serve as director. Each time Du Wei accompanied Lang Tao to Niangzi Lake and Phoenix Island, he would arrange special performances and dances for Lang Tao at the hotel. This illustrates how when someone holds a prominent position, many people will tailor-make things that interest them—beautiful members of the opposite sex, vast wealth, other gifts customized to their preferences. Once they can't control themselves, they gradually sink deeper.
In "In the Name of the People" [note: popular Chinese anti-corruption TV drama], to win over official Gao Yuliang, someone tailor-made a female confidante for him. Gao Yuliang had previously been a university department director, very successful academically with students throughout the land. After entering politics, his official career went smoothly, easily becoming provincial political-legal committee secretary. Why didn't Gao Yuliang fall due to money or power, but ultimately fell precisely because of Gao Xiaofeng? Businessman Zhao Ruilong knew that Gao Yuliang was a Ming Dynasty history enthusiast, so according to Gao Yuliang's interests, he specifically trained Gao Xiaofeng to become a beautiful woman who understood history, presented her to Gao Yuliang, making her his confidante. From then on, Gao Yuliang was lost. In "Black and White," Lang Tao hadn't reached the point of being lost.
For a period, Lang Tao went to Phoenix Island almost every month, ostensibly for work but actually to watch the resort hotel art troupe's performances. Sometimes, Du Wei had the hotel manager arrange separate rooms for Lang Tao and himself; after watching performances, they'd stay overnight at the hotel and return to the provincial capital the next day. Gradually, other provincial leaders also made going to Phoenix Island resort a fashionable leisure activity, forcing Du Wei to specially reserve an entire floor at the resort hotel for leaders.
Once, Du Wei told Lang Tao: "The resort has a new performer, formerly from Dongsteel Art Troupe, good at both singing and dancing, no less talented than Meng Fei." He said with ambiguous tone, "Minister, free to relax this weekend?" Lang Tao lightly hummed through his nose, neither saying he'd go nor that he wouldn't. But Du Wei knew what to do next. This was a kind of tacit understanding between conspirators.
Xu Ke was formerly Li Hong. After Wu Ancestral Hall was built, Xu Ke became Wu Bozhong's assistant. Wu Bozhong had guarded Xu Ke like a treasure these years, not for himself but to cultivate Lang Tao—she was a great gift prepared for Lang Tao. Lang Tao liked beautiful women; Wu Bozhong's gift hit precisely Lang Tao's heart. Wu Bozhong did this hoping to make Lang Tao provide further convenience for his Wu Ancestral Hall.
2. Du Wei Quietly Remembers Lang Tao's Preferences
Du Wei knew Lang Tao had studied in Germany and liked Riesling wine, so he quietly remembered this. When traveling to Europe, he bought back a whole case, placing two bottles in the trunk whenever accompanying Lang Tao on trips. This is how Du Wei secretly noted Lang Tao's preferences, and such gift-giving methods were easily acceptable without seeming abrupt.
For those with weak determination and unsteady beliefs, ordinary temptations like money, attractive people, or collectibles are sufficient to make someone sink. Facing others' tailor-made temptations, such allure is more secretive, likely appearing when someone relaxes their guard, thus being an even greater test of one's original intention and beliefs.
VI. Lang Tao's Pride and Exceptional Calculating Mind
Pride and aloofness are common problems among most intellectuals; Lang Tao was no exception. Even after years of immersion in officialdom with much of his scholarly air worn away, that seemingly innate pride and aloofness remained deep in his heart, impossible to dispel. For instance, he rarely mentioned his generational friendship with provincial elder leader Song Qiankun—quite opposite to Du Wei, who often had "Old Song" on his lips, as if afraid others wouldn't know his relationship with Song Qiankun. But precisely this aloofness made Lang Tao somewhat incompatible when interacting with colleagues and leaders. In daily interpersonal dealings and handling affairs, he wasn't as rule-following and impeccable as those from professional bureaucratic backgrounds. For example, his relationship with Du Wei—given his level, their frequent interaction wasn't entirely necessary, to avoid gossip. Indeed, some had already reported to superiors about him bypassing cultural federation leadership and violating work procedures, with even more unpleasant words. Of course, some were well-intentioned reminders to be careful of Du Wei's type, but Lang Tao didn't take them seriously. Since serving as Niangzi District deputy governor, he had maintained close relationships with Du Wei. Lang Tao felt this relationship was perfectly normal. From Phoenix Tourism Island to Popular Art Media Group, every project he guided and supervised was inseparable from Du Wei.
Once when visiting Song Qiankun, Old Song said: "Society is a great jianghu [note: metaphor for complex social networks], officialdom is a small jianghu. If someone wants to survive and achieve something, they must thoroughly understand both these large and small jianghu, otherwise they'll be unable to move forward. This was true during revolutionary times and remains true during reform times." Lang Tao felt this should be Old Song's lifetime summary of political career experience and even lessons.
Second, from high school through university, then from overseas study back to teaching at Dongjiang University, Lang Tao's academic achievements were entirely due to his own talent and effort. In officialdom, he believed he could achieve the same enviable success as in academics. Thus, after being assigned as Niangzi District deputy governor, Lang Tao threw himself into work, managing carefully and cultivating relationships with people from all sectors, indeed putting full effort and energy into his responsibilities and achieving remarkable results.
But Lang Tao was never just a simple scholar—otherwise he couldn't have successfully transitioned from academic to high-level official. Behind Lang Tao's refined exterior also hid exceptional calculating ability, though most people couldn't see it. This was much like his father Lang Yongliang—if he hadn't been labeled a rightist, Lang Yongliang could have achieved much in officialdom. Now it appears that as a father, his early insistence on his son abandoning teaching for politics wasn't done reluctantly but because he discovered latent talent in his son. Of course, opportunity also played a role—the so-called "momentum" and "ability." With both these factors, success isn't far away.
Lang Tao's "ability" was also reflected in his relationship with Du Wei. Lang Tao clearly understood that he and Du Wei never had a one-sided dependence relationship, just as he had never completely trusted Du Wei. As a leader, he sometimes had to show some trust in subordinates, but that was more of a gesture. As the ancients said, "A knight dies for one who appreciates him"—the same applies between subordinates and superiors. In officialdom, perfect superior-subordinate relationships are mutual exploitation, with no personal feelings involved. When a subordinate is willing to go through fire and water for you, it often means they've received equivalent rewards from you; otherwise, their devotion won't last and might even harbor certain dangers. Therefore, Lang Tao's relationship with Du Wei over the years hadn't been relaxed. On one hand, he had to make Du Wei feel his dependence and trust, willing to "go through fire and water," while keeping this relationship within work bounds, not crossing personal boundaries. This degree was hard to grasp, just as the boundary between private and public was hard to define—one could easily cross the line carelessly.
Lang Tao and Du Wei were like this too. Often their relationship seemed to transcend superior-subordinate work relations, becoming friends. For instance, Du Wei often handled some personal matters for him—some things even Lang Tao didn't know about until Du Wei told him after completing them. For example, enrolling his son in the city's foreign language school—Du Wei quietly helped without telling him. If his wife He Li hadn't mentioned it afterward, he'd still be in the dark. Another example: every time Du Wei went abroad, he brought back gifts like famous watches and wines, some quite valuable.
It was improper to accept them yet ungracious to refuse, so he had to accept. Initially he thought of reciprocating somehow, but later became accustomed to it. Being too serious might backfire.
Despite this, Lang Tao's mental guard string remained taut. Especially after being promoted to provincial party committee member and propaganda minister, he became even more cautious in dealing with everyone, not just Du Wei.
When Du Wei asked whose name to put on Phoenix Island art village villa property rights, Lang Tao's first reaction was not to use his own name. Though Du Wei said it was purchased, a villa with market value over three million yuan could be acquired for just over 100,000 yuan in full ownership—if investigated, this could never pass scrutiny. So Lang Tao initially had Du Wei write He Li's name, but after a few days felt this inappropriate. He Li was his wife; writing her name was no different from writing his own, with suspicion of self-deception. So he had Du Wei change the property owner to his father Lang Yongliang's name.
After some time, he still felt this inappropriate. Father-son and husband-wife are both close relatives; this would be counterproductive. After much thought, Lang Tao decided to change the villa's property owner to Li Hong. After making this decision, he seemed to shed a heavy burden, breathing a long sigh of relief. At that moment, he realized his previous defenses against Du Wei had unknowingly been "breached." But Lang Tao had no other choice unless he didn't want the Phoenix Island villa. If he didn't want it while other leaders did? When the art village was proposed, more than one provincial leader had hinted at this to Lang Tao.
However, did he really just want a villa? Lang Tao couldn't face this question, just as he'd never dared face Xu Ke or Li Hong.
Lang Tao knew he would eventually have to face Xu Ke or Li Hong like an old-fashioned German gentleman, confronting their past and present. This was a historical and emotional debt—until he settled it, his heart would never be at peace. But for Lang Tao, when he settled his debt to Li Hong, it would mean incurring new debt to his wife He Li and deceased father-in-law He Shouwu. He had to choose one or the other. Therefore, for so many years he remained in a state of tug-of-war hesitation and contradiction, as if being torn apart by two forces, his entire being split in half. Now, the Phoenix Island villa provided him an opportunity to repay his debt.
Many years later, when Lang Tao met Li Hong, he still said he loved her. Li Hong said: "After father's trouble, I was kicked around like a ball by schools and employers. When those who once buzzed around me like flies suddenly left one by one, you, for your own future, unhesitatingly threw me away like used old cotton batting and became engaged to your principal's daughter." When Li Hong was in trouble and her father was reported for corruption, not only did Lang Tao not think to comfort Li Hong or weather difficulties with her, he actually feared it would affect his own future and resolutely left Li Hong. This act of pushing Li Hong away to protect his own interests was essentially selfish. Therefore, when Lang Tao met Li Hong again and declared his love, Li Hong refused to restore their relationship.