A poignant tale of fading memories

Written in 2019, the musical was inspired by her early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and became his way of expressing feelings that were too difficult to say aloud. It was also the last production she watched at his theater, making the work an especially personal tribute.

The story follows Hu Keyi, a middle-aged singer who dreams of success but finds himself trapped by disappointment and financial struggles. When he learns that his mother is losing her memory, he is forced to confront not only her illness but also his own absence and regret.

His emotional outburst reflects the experience of many people who leave home to pursue their dreams while struggling to find time for aging parents waiting for them. Through one family's story, the musical asks a universal question: How do we express our love before it is too late?

The production's emotional weight was not limited to the stage. During rehearsals, Xiao Ke found one hospital-bed scene so painful that he repeatedly walked away rather than performing it.

"He would stand up and leave," Cai recalls. "It was simply too painful."

Only during the final rehearsal was Xiao Ke able to complete the scene. Afterward, he broke down in tears.

Although both artists were deeply affected by the story, they were moved by different moments.

"For him, the hardest part is when the mother no longer recognizes her son," Cai says. "For me, it is when the child calls for his mother, and there is no answer. That is the moment that breaks my heart."