Certainly! Here's a rewritten version of the article in an entertaining style:
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This morning, the kids dragged me out for a grand opening ribbon-cutting event, and by afternoon, I was gone. It's hard not to overthink that, right? Naturally, the internet didn’t hold back, accusing the children of being ungrateful. Even Guo Degang took to social media to mourn the loss of Mr. Yang Shaohua, with a cheeky video that seemed to hint at some family drama.
From being worth practically nothing to becoming one of China's most valuable xiangsheng (crosstalk) performers, Guo Degang’s life could easily be turned into a motivational movie. However, the death of Yang Shaohua sparked quite the debate, especially since just hours before passing, he was dragged out by his sons to attend a new store’s grand opening—under the blazing sun, no less.
After a nap, Yang suddenly felt dizzy, and before he even made it to the hospital, he passed away. No last words, just gone. When the news broke, the family quickly set up a memorial hall, but it looked rather basic at first—just a simple coffin and an old photo of the man. The offering table had only a few fruits; no wreaths, no candles. In stark contrast to the lavish memorials we usually see for celebrities, it looked cold and barren.
Who would have thought that just a day after his death, things would get so messy? The sons’ past debts of relying on their father’s wealth were quickly dug up. Allegedly, friends were there only to leech off the moment, and even the apprentices were drinking and causing a ruckus at the memorial hall.
All these incidents felt like a long-awaited unraveling of the old man’s untold struggles and disappointments. Looking back, when I think of Old Wang’s remark at the memorial—\"You’ve suffered enough in this life, don’t let the next one be as hard\"—it seems more than just polite words. It really reflects the true essence of this man’s life.
At the funeral, Yang Shaohua’s younger son, Yang Yi, was visibly distraught as he said goodbye. He collapsed in grief, but many netizens weren’t buying it. Some felt it was an act, a show for sympathy—after all, he seemed more upset about losing his father’s legacy and connections rather than the loss itself. If he truly cared, why wasn’t he there for his father when he was still alive? When his father’s friends visited, Yang Yi was lounging on the sofa with his legs crossed, fiddling with a string of beads, showing zero respect.
A video that made its rounds online showed Yang Yi seemingly out of place during the ritual. As the money gifts were being placed on the table, he had this odd, almost mischievous expression—like he was trying not to laugh. Some viewers felt it was inappropriate to show such emotions at such a solemn moment.
Before the ceremony began, Yang Yi was acting like the boss, giving orders to the younger ones. Meanwhile, his elder brother, Yang Wei, looked pale and worn out, clearly still grieving. When Yang Shaohua’s old friend, Old Wang, arrived, Yang Yi’s demeanor changed, and suddenly, he appeared calm, almost indifferent, his face free of sadness.
At the memorial, the contrast was stark. Yang Wei, the eldest son, was busy bowing and thanking the guests. Yang Yi? He was in the back, sitting cross-legged, playing with something in his hands. He didn’t return anyone’s bow and, incredibly, even accepted a bow from one of the guests without responding. This behavior was quickly criticized online, with many calling it a lack of manners.
A netizen even wrote a cheeky little poem: “Father lies in the hall, sons sit like kings; In their old age, still seeking the limelight, sending their sons riches.” The sad truth? The day of Yang Shaohua’s passing, Yang Yi was still doing business as usual—selfishly caring more about himself than the loss of his father.
On the day of his death, Yang Shaohua was still attending ribbon-cutting events in the morning and even filmed a video eating starch sausages. News of this sparked widespread criticism, with many feeling that the sons had treated their father like a tool for money-making.
However, Hu Xijin had a different take. He felt that the sons were actually doing right by involving their father in activities even in his old age. To him, elderly people need to feel useful and part of something. If they can still contribute, it’s psychologically comforting for them, rather than feeling like a burden. Hu Xijin argued that it’s not bad to involve elderly parents in some work-related activities, as it brings a sense of worth and balance to the family.
Though this perspective didn’t align with what most netizens thought, there’s some merit to it. Elderly people, too, need respect and their own social circle. Feeling useful and not like a burden helps maintain their mental well-being, which can positively affect family dynamics.
As the online debates raged on, Guo Degang posted a seemingly innocuous video on his social media. At first, it appeared like just a casual share about his clothing for performances. But sharp-eyed viewers picked up on certain phrases and, suddenly, it became apparent that there was more to it. Guo mentioned his performance costume in a way that sounded like \"sucking the life out of father,\" and his story about the hollow bone seemed to allude to Yang Shaohua being drained of his last value. What seemed like a harmless conversation had many believing it was a pointed commentary.
The most gut-wrenching part? The way Yang Shaohua spent his last months. His son, Yang Yi, used his father’s Douyin account to sell products, even though the 90-year-old man struggled to eat and had no teeth. It was heartbreaking to watch as the old man was forced to eat processed food for the sake of content. Stats say that the old man was averaging two commercial endorsements a day, and rumors even suggested that his ribbon-cutting fees on the day he passed were in the six-figure range.
Guo Degang’s “hollow bone” comment tore apart the last remnants of dignity that the Yang family had tried to maintain. The tension had been building for years. After all, who could forget the incident when Yang Yi, back in the day, slapped Guo Degang with watermelon juice and boldly declared, \"If I join the Deyun Society, you’ll kneel before me\"?
Now, Guo Degang is still active on stage, and the Deyun Society continues to grow. But controversies about his apprentices and sons remain unresolved. His reputation is split: some praise him for revitalizing xiangsheng, while others criticize his greed.
One thing’s for sure, though—he truly revived traditional crosstalk, and no one can deny that. And as we continue to hear stories about elderly artists, like Zhang Wenshun, and how their children care for them, it seems this generation of old performers faces an undeniable issue—how their children manage their legacy and care for them in their later years.
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Hope you enjoy this revised version! Let me know if you need further tweaks.
