Guo Da attended the Spring Festival Gala 20 times, and behind his success there was his wife Wu Fang, who silently supported him through hard early years.
In his early years, Guo Da worked for a local performing arts troupe in Xi’an,In the late 1980s, when the art of sketch comedy was just taking off in China, he staged several sketch comedy performances with his troupe and gradually gained some recognition through small-scale performances in Northwest China. Everyone around him knew he was passionate about exploring the art of sketch comedy and harbored a secret desire to make his mark on a bigger stage.When he first mentioned to those around him his idea of going to Beijing to try out for the Spring Festival Gala, most thought it was unrealistic. Guo Da has spent nearly half his life on the Spring Festival Gala stage; his face is familiar to everyone. Yet few know that when he first conceived the idea of pursuing a career in Beijing, his family had to rummage through every nook and cranny of their home just to scrape together 150 yuan in spending money,His wife, Wu Fang, was an ordinary textile factory worker in Xi’an. Accustomed to frugality, she clutched that stack of loose change with palms so damp they were almost clammy. She didn’t offer any unnecessary objections; she simply told him to go with confidence, assuring him she’d take care of things at home.
During
those years, Guo Da was busy preparing for the National Skit Competition. He couldn’t find anyone suitable to make the custom performance costumes he needed for the competition, so Wu Fang—who had an old sewing machine passed down in her family—would sit at it after her night shift to rush the work.She pulled three all-nighters in a row, pricking her fingertips with the needle several times. Drops of blood would fall onto the fabric, but she’d just wipe them away with a quick swipe and keep sewing. She never treated herself to a new piece of clothing all year long, yet she refused to cut any corners when making performance costumes for Guo Da.Those were lean years. Medical bills for the elderly, tuition for the children, and daily living expenses—all were supported solely by Wu Fang’s salary and income from odd jobs. She never voluntarily mentioned to anyone that she was Guo Da’s wife, for fear that others might come looking for him and cause him unnecessary trouble.
Later, Guo Da’s sketch won first prize in a competition, securing him a spot on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. He appeared on the Gala stage a total of twenty times, and every performance costume he wore was sewn, stitch by stitch, by Wu Fang at their home in Xi’an.During those years, Guo Da spent most of his time rehearsing in Beijing, leaving the care of the elderly and children at home entirely to Wu Fang. She never once complained to Guo Da about the hardships; she would simply hand him his neatly packed luggage each time and remind him to take good care of himself while he was away.
After
Guo Da stepped back from the public eye, he rarely appeared on television. When those close to him asked about his well-being, he would always say he was living a peaceful life. All these years later, Wu Fang—who had stood by him through the hard times—remains by his side, and his son later followed in his footsteps to become a screenwriter. The family of four leads a quiet and stable life.
Having lived most of my life, I’ve seen many examples of people who’ve shared hardships together. To find someone who isn’t greedy for fame or profit, who is wholly devoted to accompanying you on the journey from poverty to a better life, and who is willing to shoulder the bulk of the hardship for you—that is truly a rare blessing.
