Robin Helzer stood still, overwhelmed with excitement.

He had no idea that one day he would look at his idol like an adolescent girl, trembling, speechless, and sweaty, and he couldn't even imagine that he would follow those stars and that Hollywood stars would be nothing more than a bubble for him.

But today, everything is playing out.

On the "Today Show" in Rockefeller Plaza, it was the first time Robin and Lan Li met, the first time they listened to a concert live, the first time they were moved by music, the first time they felt the power of life, the first time they admired and admired a figure, not only because his son was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, not only because the Heather Cross Foundation had finally awakened people's attention to this disease, but also because of the song "Another Light".

Of the world's more than six billion people, there are only a handful of stars that shine brightly in the sky, and most of the remaining stars are just insignificant glimmers, hidden in the endless darkness of the night, unnoticed and unaware, until one day they disappear silently.

Perhaps, for most people, not even a sound can be heard, but for that light, it is the destruction of the whole world. It is not meaningless, nor is it a drop in the ocean, but an integral part of the whole world.

Lan Li's heart is exactly Robin's heart, in this young man, Robin saw that light, and involuntarily began to chase after him.

"I, I mean...... Sorry, uh, I mean...... Thank you. Really, thank you. Incoherent, tossed, and fragmented, Robin closed his eyes in frustration and gritted his teeth in frustration.

But when he opened his eyes again, he found that Lan Li was not impatient, still looking at him with a smile, and his right hand still did not break free, as if he was patiently waiting for the following, which made Robin's excitement calm down a little, "This is a great feat, Heather Cross Foundation, you know, this is a feat that can change the whole society." ”

"It's not my credit, it's Heather Cross's, and the countless volunteers and families who have worked for it and fought for it, and it's their credit. I was just standing on stage, standing in the spotlight, enjoying the gaze, and maybe that's why everyone wants to be an actor. Lan Li joked jokingly.

Robin shook his head and said firmly, "You are a gentleman who refuses to take credit for himself. However, that song is the best proof that only people who have truly experienced pain and struggle can create such music. Lan Li, do you know? Maybe this small act of yours can save thousands of families. ”

Hope, an ethereal word, is enough to save countless people. Now, Lan Li has ignited a spark of hope, waiting for the momentum of the prairie fire.

It seemed like a simple sentence, but once again made Lan Li feel the heavy pressure on his shoulders.

As public figures, they enjoy flowers and applause, they enjoy fame and glory, but they also shoulder more important responsibilities. Yes, he is a dreamer, running purely towards his dreams, and at the same time, he is also a frontrunner, holding high the torch of hope with his own efforts and struggles.

It is unfair and impossible to just want to enjoy the happiness brought by the halo of stars, but refuse the pressure and attention that comes with it, and even refuse the corresponding responsibilities and obligations.

That's what the Heather Cross Foundation wants to achieve: thousands of families. We need more help and support in this process, so let's work together to make the dream a reality. Lan Li said with a smile, and shook Robin's hands heavily with his right hand, expressing his determination.

Robin only felt a burst of excitement and enthusiasm, and under impulse, the words blurted out, "Of course, I am very, very willing to contribute." In fact, I'm a fund manager and I'm more than happy to help Heather Cross if needed. After saying this, Robin regretted it.

"God, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. His words sounded like he had a plan, as if he was specifically targeting the position of the fund manager, but God testifies that today's encounter was just a coincidence, and the idea just now was just a coincidence. "I mean, I've got a lot of management experience, I know how to run a foundation, and I'm always there to help if the Heather Cross Foundation needs it, but not that I'm here specifically for this job, I ...... Jesus Christ, I should have prepared a resume, but I didn't ...... Oh, I should, how should I say it. ”

"I understand. Lan Li could feel the urgency and emotion of the middle-aged man in front of him, not only for work or job hunting, but also for enthusiasm, just like the enthusiasm of volunteers.

Robin touched his neck in frustration, "I mean, my son, he ...... Belch...... He...... He also had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and that day in Rockefeller Plaza, I was about to go to another foundation and apply for Medicaid, but unexpectedly, I ran into you. This is the first time, the first time that a Foundation has set its sights on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and this is an important hope for us, so I hope to help. ”

"Why don't you give me a business card? I think that's a good start. Lan Li didn't argue too much, but said bluntly.

“…… Oh. Robin was stunned, then reacted, "Of course, absolutely." Robin let go of his hands, hurriedly pulled out his business card holder, and handed it over, "Robin Helzer." Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. ”

"Ranley Hall. Lan Li smiled and introduced herself, as the first official acquaintance between the two people.

From beginning to end, Bradley just stood quietly aside, quietly watching, not impatient, in Lan Li's body, but also in Robin's body, he saw the truth and fragility behind that mask, and also saw the vicissitudes and moving under that skin. Once again, Bradley is glad he made the right choice.

After the shocking revelation of his background, the New York Times was fortunate to be the first media to interview Lan Li, which allowed Bradley to present a real Lan Li to readers from his perspective.

Watching Robin take the initiative to leave, Bradley still didn't speak. In the middle of his sight, Lan Li carefully put away the business card, and Bradley asked curiously, "Will you call him?"

"Yes, I think I will. Lan Li nodded in affirmation.

"Why? because his son is going through the same hardship?" said Bradley curiously, after all, five minutes ago, the man had been a complete stranger.

Lan Li chuckled lightly and did not answer directly, "Bradley, have you heard of the social movement group ACT-UP in the late eighties and early nineties?"

"Yes, of course I do. Bradley looked surprised, not at all expecting Lan Li to switch to a completely different subject.

ACT-UP, whose full name is "AIDS-Coalition-To-Unleash-Poer", can also be literally translated as "take action", was established in New York in March 1987, and in just a few years, it has spread all over the world, rising in an all-round way, truly making the whole society begin to face up to the existence of AIDS/AIDS/disease, and promoting the development of medicine and social progress.

"Do you know why ACT-UP has grown so big in just a few years?" Lan Li didn't continue walking, just stood on the side of the street, looking at the traffic in front of him, the prosperity of New York was magnified little by little at this moment, the world was boundless, but the insignificance of individuals was also magnified, insignificant, "because they didn't have time at that time." ”

Standing in front of the torrent of history and the social machine, the individual is always so small, but people often ignore that society is made up of people and history is written by people. Only when people take steps can society progress and history move forward; as long as people bravely launch a struggle, society can progress and history can move forward.

"The reason why we fight is not to change this society, but not to let this society change us. ”

At the end of the eighties, people living with HIV/AIDS all over the world faced a similar dilemma: scientific research was slow, there were few effective drugs, and even those that delayed the disease were scarce and expensive; the latest drugs could not even be legally purchased in their own countries, the drug regulatory authorities were extremely slow to review them, most of them were listed as illegal; even hospitals refused to accept patients, insurance refused to pay claims, and even after death, it was difficult to obtain the right to bury them.

Therefore, in this crisis, the cold war of government/government indifference and social exclusion has forced every patient and their family and friends to play different roles: they need to become researchers, constantly studying professional journals and reports in various countries, they need to become doctors, they need to control the dosage and dosage of medicines, they also need to become caregivers, accompany their sick family members, and even become social activists, standing under the spotlight to cry out for their lives.

They are inconspicuous specks of dust, and no one cares about their lives except themselves.

As Lan Li said, they have no time, they have no choice, they must unite, they must stand up, they must fight until the last moment.

The "Dallas Buyers Club" in 2013 and the "One Hundred and Twenty Blows Per Minute" in 2017 focused on such a special group of people who told those ordinary but great stories.

As a reporter, Bradley instantly understood what Lan Li meant, he couldn't help but open his mouth slightly, and the first thought in his mind blurted out, "However, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is not AIDS/AIDS/disease. ”

Lan Li chuckled, "Before this, had you heard of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?"

A simple rhetorical question, Bradley was speechless, stunned in place, and the smile on the corner of Lan Li's mouth added a touch of bitterness, "Yes, I haven't heard of it before Heather Cross, and I'm not the only one who is indifferent in a huge society. Who cares if another light goes out?"

The last sentence, which is the lyrics of "another light", has a special meaning at this time. Bradley fell silent.