Chapter 2 Preface to the author's Chinese translation

I am very happy that the Chinese translation of this book can be published and I can meet Chinese readers. After reading this book, American readers wrote to me, saying that this book took them into a China they never knew, but the development of this story moved them very much by the ideals and perseverance of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin. Some friends were even moved to tears.These two extraordinary figures lived in an era of drastic changes, went through hardships, and were threatened by survival everywhere, but they still persisted and made great contributions to Chinese architectural research. This is a remarkable thing. I write in English my husband and wife and their friendship for many years, which can also represent the friendship between the people of China and the United States.The reason why this book can move American readers is mainly due to the English letters written by Lin Huiyin to us over the years. Her English is so vivid and full of literary talent.I hope that after being translated into Chinese, it will be equally vivid, and her poems and Lin Zhu's story (the last chapter of the book) can also return to their original colors. For this generation of Chinese readers, Liang and Lin's era may also be unfamiliar, and the story seems to take place in the distant past, but it is also part of modern Chinese history - and it is very moving.I hope that Chinese readers can also re-understand the appearance and mentality of Chinese intellectuals in that era when they read this book.

(Translated by Li Oufan)