This article examines the enduring legacy of psychoanalysis in China through the life and work of Professor Sun Mingzhi (孙名之), a pioneering translator of Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams. Amidst the Anti-Rightist Movement and the Cultural Revolution, Sun's relentless pursuit of psychoanalytic thought persisted in secrecy. Despite systemic repression, he remained devoted to translating foundational texts and played a crucial role in rebuilding psychology and psychoanalysis in China. Through personal reflections and historical analysis, this article explores the intergenerational transmission of psychoanalytic thought, the resilience of Chinese intellectuals’ passion under oppression, and the unconscious preservation of knowledge across generations. It underscores how psychoanalysis, beyond formal training, becomes a lived experience—one that endures political suppression and historical adversity, ensuring its survival and renewal in China.