Who Once Flew in the Sky, Who Travelled with Shanghai

Entering Zhongshan Park, a full image of green ornamented with red dots unfolded in my sight. Though the sky was not in a good mood, it surprisingly emphasized the colors of the lawn and flowers. The lawn was in the hue of olive drab, the shrubs in dark red; the hue of the sky just started to turn gloomy when I interviewed the elder couple that I encountered. 

Our member and the elder couple

At first glance, you would never have guessed their ages; they both radiated energy and warmth, with bright smiles and lively conversation. They exchanged a quick glance and laughed softly in sync before turning to me with enthusiasm.

"Hi! Yes, we would love an interview. By the way, we were born in Shanghai, so if you’re interested about this land, we’re beyond glad to answer!”

“You both look very energetic! I hope you’re having a brilliant life after retirement.”

"Haha, thanks, honestly, we’re old but we still feel young!" the grandmother chuckled, her cheeks lifting into a bright smile as I expressed my surprise.

Born and raised in Shanghai, they shared vivid memories of their hometown. When I asked them about their impressions of Shanghai’s rapid changes in image during recent years, their words were filled with fondness. Praises never disappeared from their words.

"Shanghai has always been an open, big city," the grandfather said proudly. During our younger times, the Bund was one of the most developed and modern places in Shanghai. And until now, it’s truly China’s number one city."

The grandmother nodded in agreement, "If I were to pick my favorite road in Shanghai, I would definitely say Changning Road rather than Anfu Road or Huaihai Road- these are for your younger generations to have fun. She tilted her head slightly and spoke with a playful certainty, “Changning Road suits me better. It was lively and always bustling with people!"

When I asked about Shanghai’s vicissitudes over the past few decades, their eyes lit up with nostalgia and pride.

"The changes have been enormous," the grandfather remarked, “roads are much wider now, and the city has grown beyond what we could have imagined.” The grandmother chimed in, "The Oriental Pearl Tower didn’t exist when we were young, but now it’s a symbol of Shanghai. Seeing both Puxi and Pudong develop at such a pace truly makes us proud to be Shanghainese."

Surprisingly, their lives weren’t always centered in Shanghai. They were the heroes of China and spent most of their life elsewhere. When they graduated, they delved into helping China’s aviation industry.

"I worked in the aircraft manufacturing industry," the grandfather shared. "That’s why we left Shanghai for Xian - back then, the country needed us there." Though they built their careers and raised a family in Xian, their hearts remained tied to Shanghai. "Our siblings all stayed here, so after retirement, we often returned to visit," the grandmother explained.

Listening to their stories, I was struck by their resilience and dedication. Despite spending much of their lives away from home, they maintained a deep love for Shanghai and witnessed its transformation firsthand. Their pride in the city’s progress was palpable, and their vitality defied their age.

As we stood to part ways, the grandmother gently patted my shoulder while the grandfather shook my hand, his eyes crinkling with warmth. I couldn’t help but hold a heartfelt admiration for them. Their silver hair twinkles as they blink, making them look so much younger as if age means nothing but merely a number.

They had lived through decades of change, contributed to their country’s development, and still carried an infectious optimism. Their stories were not just a window into Shanghai’s past but also a reminder of the enduring spirit of its people. Meeting them was a privilege - one that left me inspired and deeply moved.