This paper analyzes Gao Xingjian's early novellas "Stars on a Cold Night" and "A Pigeon Called Red Beak" and compares them with his most famous novels Soul Mountain and One Man's Bible. Whereas most scholars do not even mention the existence of the two early works, this paper suggests that they are important since they reveal the process of discarding self-censorship Gao Xingjian went through on his quest for free expression.