Obituary | Listening to the heart

Chiung Yao taught the Chinese all about romantic love

The bestselling novelist and screenwriter died on December 4th, aged 86

Author Chiung Yao
Photograph: Chiung Yao/Facebook

“So we must break up?” he asked her. “Yes,” she said. His face darkened, and he jammed on the brakes. The car screeched to a halt. Without warning, he flung the door open. “Then get out!” he cried. They were on a narrow mountain road, with desolate wilderness all around. Did he really mean to abandon her? But as soon as she left he slammed the door, revved up the engine and aimed for the cliff-edge. Instinctively, she hurled herself onto the bonnet to save him. At the very edge, he stopped and got out. As she almost slid off, into the abyss, he pulled her into his arms.

This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Chiung Yao”

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