Love Destined Forever: A Love Destined from the Start
In December, Luo Jialun, a representative of Beijing students, traveled to Shanghai to initiate communication among student groups. Unexpectedly, at the beautiful banks of the Huangpu River, Luo Jialun encountered Zhang Weizhen, setting the stage for a lifelong love legend.
This encounter took place during a gathering of the “National Student Federation.” Although Luo Jialun was not particularly striking in appearance, he was a renowned student leader of the time. The manifesto he personally drafted, The Joint Declaration of All Students in Beijing, was widely circulated among university students, igniting a wave of patriotism across the nation.
As soon as Luo Jialun appeared, he caused quite a stir. His passionate speech turned the atmosphere into a boiling sea of fervor. Standing in a corner of the audience was Zhang Weizhen, a student from a girls’ school in Shanghai. Her face was flushed, and with deep, affectionate eyes, she silently watched Luo Jialun from start to finish. Every word, gesture, and expression from him captivated the elegant and graceful Zhang Weizhen. The words Luo Jialun had written, “China’s land can be conquered but not forfeited! China’s people can be killed but not humbled!” had already been etched into Zhang Weizhen’s heart. However, with one in Beijing and the other in Shanghai, they were separated by great distance, making it difficult for them to meet.
At that moment, the passionate and wise Luo Jialun stood right before Zhang Weizhen. His speech struck her heart word by word, close and fiery, penetrating deep into her soul. In that instant, love was born. The young Zhang Weizhen was empowered by love, managing to squeeze through the crowded audience to the front of the venue. She loudly said to Luo Jialun, “My name is Zhang Weizhen, please take care of me from now on!” With that, she handed him a note with her contact address.
Moved by Zhang Weizhen’s enthusiasm, openness, youth, and beauty, Luo Jialun’s heart was warmly stirred. The usually eloquent Luo found himself shy and flustered like a little boy, simply responding, “Okay, okay!”
It is often said that love at first sight cannot withstand trials and the test of time. However, Zhang Weizhen and Luo Jialun proved through their real love story that even love at first sight can be destined to last a lifetime.
Love is often symbolized by tokens, with lovers frequently using these tokens to bear witness to their affection. These tokens are like honey in the midst of love, making it all the sweeter. Luo Jialun and Zhang Weizhen’s love at first sight was sealed with somewhat unusual tokens. Luo Jialun gave Zhang Weizhen two scenic postcards and two small landscape photographs. Though these tokens were not particularly valuable, they embodied Luo Jialun’s desire to soar through life together with Zhang Weizhen. Understanding this sentiment, Zhang Weizhen returned the gesture by giving Luo Jialun a photograph of herself, where she smiled like a flower, youthful and beautiful. A girl giving her photograph to a man naturally signified her admiration.
Upon receiving Zhang Weizhen’s photo, Luo Jialun wrote in his diary: “It is your photo that fills me with boundless joy.” From then on, Zhang Weizhen and Luo Jialun began exchanging letters, marking the start of a long journey of love. In their letters, they discussed life, ideals, and their daily lives, while also cautiously probing each other’s feelings, gently extending the soft tendrils of love. Though their hearts’ secrets turned and twisted, they eagerly sought to blossom on the pages of their letters. The rarest thing in love is a deep connection of the minds. The beautiful love that began with love at first sight between Zhang Weizhen and Luo Jialun unfolded in such a tender and captivating manner.
In August, Luo Jialun traveled from Shanghai to study at Princeton University in the United States. He had intended to meet Zhang Weizhen in Shanghai to express his longing for her. Unfortunately, by that time, Zhang Weizhen had transferred from her school in Shanghai to a girls’ school in Huzhou. Meanwhile, Luo Jialun fell ill upon arriving in Shanghai, suffering from a high fever that made it impossible for him to visit Zhang Weizhen. Though the distance between Shanghai and Huzhou was just a few hundred miles, they were unable to meet. Later, Zhang Weizhen received a letter from Luo Jialun written just before he boarded the ship: “I regret not being able to see you in Shanghai. I’ve received your photo, thank you. I cannot write much more; it breaks my heart to leave the country. I will write again on the journey.” Thus, without seeing each other, Zhang Weizhen and Luo Jialun parted reluctantly.
During the years apart, Zhang Weizhen received several books sent by Luo Jialun, along with many letters. In these letters, Zhang Weizhen noticed subtle changes in how Luo Jialun addressed her, shifting from “My friend Weizhen” to “Weizhen,” “My dear Weizhen,” and finally “My dearest Weizi, whom I love in this life and the next.”
Zhang Weizhen realized that she had become the most cherished person in Luo Jialun’s heart. Reading the letters that crossed the ocean, Zhang Weizhen felt warmth spread through her heart. In their correspondence, they discussed not only national affairs and the path of learning, but also, like all lovers, occasionally revealed their sensitive, capricious, and even childlike sides.
On one occasion, Zhang Weizhen received a pearl necklace from Luo Jialun, with pearls he had carefully selected for her. In his letter, he wrote: “I chose a color that I think is quite fresh. It should look good with white or pink summer clothes. I hope you don’t mind it and take it as a memento of my thoughts of you.” Zhang Weizhen was deeply moved by the heartfelt thought behind this distant and precious gift.
In April, Zhang Weizhen received a letter from Luo Jialun, informing her that he had decided to return to China. The thought of soon being reunited with his beloved filled him with excitement. However, at this time, Zhang Weizhen had just been awarded a scholarship to the University of Michigan and planned to start graduate studies in the fall.
Zhang Weizhen knew that during Luo Jialun’s years abroad, he had endured the pain of separation, always hoping that she would come to study abroad so they could see each other every day. Now, just as she was about to go abroad, Luo Jialun was returning to China. But lovers share a deep understanding. Zhang Weizhen, deeply considerate of her beloved, did not want to disappoint him. To hasten his return to Shanghai so she could express her feelings in person, Zhang Weizhen sent money to Luo Jialun, urging him to return as soon as possible. When Luo Jialun received the money, he understood—Zhang Weizhen was telling him she was willing to wait for their love.
On June 18, eagerly anticipating their reunion, Luo Jialun boarded a ship in Marseille to return home. After a week’s journey, he finally arrived in Shanghai, back by Zhang Weizhen’s side. However, their time together lasted only a little over a month. During this brief period, the two lovers pledged their lives to each other.
On November 13, they married in Shanghai, both nearly thirty years old. This was the fruit of a love that had begun with love at first sight. From their initial meeting in December to their marriage, eight years had passed. Eight years of longing had finally culminated in their togetherness, sharing life with deep affection, sincerity, and warmth.
There is a kind of love in this world that is destined from the start to last a lifetime. Whether it begins with love at first sight or grows over time, as long as it is genuine, it leads to a lifelong partnership.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
