After China regained its legitimate seat at the United Nations and established diplomatic relations with the United States, some people had the opportunity to step out of the country and witness what had happened in the world while China was asleep. From the films of the 1970s and 1980s in Europe and America, one could observe their capitalist lifestyle with multi-story buildings, lights, telephones, cars, luxurious houses, affluence, openness, decadence – a living standard at least 50 years ahead of China. People immersed in the superiority of socialism, after watching those darn capitalist countries, experienced a sudden shift in mood, becoming depressed, lost, and confused. Those who could initially travel abroad were mostly social elites and intellectuals, yet what they brought back were news that the foreign moon was indeed rounder. This was the historical background in which poets like Hai Zi and Gu Cheng rose to fame. Modern poetry liberated itself from the formal constraints of classical poetry, lowering the threshold for both creators and appreciators, focusing more on the expression of ideas, emotions, and images. Gu Cheng's dark eyes represented national identity, perception, situational judgment, and unwavering beliefs, leaving a lasting impression. Therefore, Deng Xiaoping spoke about poverty not being socialism, allowing a portion of the population to become rich first, with the prosperous assisting the less affluent, aiming to liberate and develop productive forces.
