Teresa Teng

About:

In 2008, during an unexpected concert incident in Shanghai, Deng Chang Fu—the third brother of the Deng family—lies on a stretcher and reflects on the past. His memories return to the early winter of 1953, when the family’s fourth child, a daughter, was born in their village. From a young age, the girl showed a natural gift for singing. Her father, Deng Shu, however, strongly opposed the idea of her pursuing music. A former soldier, he had retired from the army and struggled to support the family by running a small market stall selling steamed buns. Though the girl sensed the quiet sadness and homesickness that weighed on her father, she stayed close to him and helped at the stall whenever she could. After finishing primary school, she failed to gain admission to junior high school. Despite this setback, she found another path forward: she won a radio singing contest, which led to regular appearances on singing programs. Around the same time, Deng Shu became involved in a conflict with local troublemakers at the market and was badly beaten, leading to a lawsuit. One night, the parents confided in each other that many of their struggles came from not having a permanent shop. The girl overheard their conversation. Wanting to ease their burden, she decided to pursue singing professionally. She signed a contract as a singer, accepted an advance payment, and used the money to help her father secure a proper storefront. When Deng Shu learned what she had done, he was deeply moved. With her father’s support at last, the girl stepped fully onto the stage, where her talent quickly won widespread praise and recognition.