A Classic Love Story: Only Wishing to Grow Old with You Gently
In the 1960s, within a simple courtyard in Beijing, a modestly dressed woman sat quietly in a bamboo chair.
Inside the house, a radio played the classic Kunqu opera The Palace of Eternal Life: “Wishing to grow old with you gently in this life, with no envy for the heavenly realms.”
A slender man emerged and gently draped a cloak over her shoulders. They exchanged a smile, their love unspoken yet evident.
In 1931, Wu Han, a student from Zhejiang, was admitted to the History Department of Tsinghua University. However, due to his family’s financial decline, he had to support himself through part-time work while studying.
By 1934, Wu Han was about to graduate. Just as he was filled with anticipation for the future, a friend named Jiang Entian asked him to care for a sick person. Kind-hearted Wu Han agreed, initially thinking it was a temporary favor, not realizing that this promise would last a lifetime.
Yuan Zhen, a girl from Hubei, came from a scholarly family. She was admitted to Wuhan University at the age of 18. Slender and graceful, Yuan Zhen attracted many admirers, but she cherished her studies and remained indifferent to romantic pursuits, even rejecting a proposal from a wealthy suitor.
In 1930, at the age of 23, Yuan Zhen achieved excellent grades and was admitted to the History Department of Tsinghua University, quickly becoming one of its distinguished female scholars. However, she soon fell ill with tuberculosis, a contagious disease.
As a result, the once-flourishing young woman had to remain bedridden. Since she couldn’t attend classes for an extended period, the university had to revoke her enrollment. To make matters worse, her good friend Jiang Entian, who had been caring for her, had taken a job teaching in another city.
“Yuan Zhen, this is my junior, Wu Han. From now on, if you need anything, feel free to contact him. He has agreed to take care of you,” Jiang Entian introduced Wu Han to Yuan Zhen on an early spring afternoon.
Lying in bed, Yuan Zhen put down her book and slightly inclined her head in greeting. Wu Han, slender and scholarly, smiled warmly. He extended his hand to her, but she didn’t take it, merely nodding with a smile.
Yuan Zhen’s pale face, like a flower about to wilt in the autumn wind, struck a chord of sorrow in Wu Han’s heart. Despite her illness, this girl continued to study diligently, which he found admirable.
On that warm afternoon, they discussed history. Wu Han specialized in Ming Dynasty history, while Yuan Zhen focused on Song Dynasty history. They frequently debated academic issues, and Wu Han was impressed by Yuan Zhen’s quick thinking and clear analysis.
Wu Han began to care for Yuan Zhen’s daily needs. He would rise early to fetch meals from the university cafeteria and rush them to Yuan Zhen’s bedside before heading to class. At noon, he would bring her lunch as well. In the evenings, no matter how busy he was, Wu Han would make time to chat with Yuan Zhen about interesting things at school before returning to his dormitory.
Knowing that Yuan Zhen loved Kunqu opera, Wu Han bought an old radio and placed it by her bed. Many quiet nights, they would sit by the window, listening to The Palace of Eternal Life and The Peony Pavilion, with love stories unfolding both in the opera and their lives.
When Yuan Zhen could move around, Wu Han would use his days off to push her in a wheelchair for walks by the lake. The willow trees swayed gently, and mandarin ducks played in the water, while both of them harbored their own thoughts.
Yuan Zhen was deeply grateful for Wu Han’s kindness. Unbeknownst to her, the seed of love had quietly taken root in her heart. However, she couldn’t express it, fearing her illness would be a burden and hinder his future.
Wu Han, a key student at Tsinghua University and appreciated by renowned scholar Hu Shi, had already gained attention in the academic world for his articles such as Peasants in the Ming Dynasty. Such a promising young man surely deserved a healthier girl.
Wu Han was also deeply moved. Yuan Zhen’s resilience in the face of her illness and her keen academic insights left a lasting impression. He hesitated to reveal his feelings, worried it might affect her recovery.
Just as their love was about to blossom, misfortune struck again. Yuan Zhen experienced severe spinal pain, and Wu Han rushed her to the hospital, only to discover her tuberculosis had spread to her spine. The surgery left Yuan Zhen destitute, and Wu Han had to take on extra jobs and write articles for pay to make ends meet for both of them.
In 1937, with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Wu Han received an invitation from Yunnan University in Kunming to teach. He was reluctant to leave Yuan Zhen, but she insisted he accept the offer. Though it pained her, she knew his talents were needed, and she couldn’t hold him back.
During their separation, Wu Han was tormented by longing. In his letters, he confessed his love and promised a gentle, lifelong companionship. He urged Yuan Zhen to join him in Kunming for her treatment, assuring her of his care.
In 1939, with the help of friends, a frail Yuan Zhen arrived in Kunming and stayed in Wu Han’s dormitory. Air raid sirens often blared over Kunming, and Wu Han would clumsily carry Yuan Zhen to the air raid shelters. Eventually, for safety, they moved to the countryside, where life was tough but peaceful.
Despite the hardships and the harsh world, their love made the suffering bearable. Their bond, forged in adversity, grew stronger.
When Wu Han’s mother came to Kunming and saw Yuan Zhen’s condition, she firmly opposed their relationship. Concerned that Yuan Zhen’s illness was a financial drain and that Wu Han, as the eldest son, couldn’t marry a sick woman, she made her disapproval clear.
Torn between his mother’s wishes and his love for Yuan Zhen, Wu Han faced a difficult dilemma. Yuan Zhen, heartbroken, urged him to let her go and find a healthy girl to marry. But Wu Han, steadfast in his love, refused, insisting they had endured too much together to give up now.
His mother issued an ultimatum, willing to spend everything to cure Yuan Zhen but adamant against their marriage. Wu Han, however, pleaded with his mother, emphasizing their deep bond and his commitment to care for Yuan Zhen forever. The family atmosphere grew tense.
In the fall of 1939, on a clear day, Wu Han told his mother he was taking Yuan Zhen to the city for treatment. Instead, they stayed in a hotel and the next day published a wedding announcement in the newspaper. Their classmates sent congratulations, and Wu Han’s mother, seeing their genuine love, could no longer object. She even helped care for Yuan Zhen when Wu Han was busy.
Their love, nurtured through adversity, became all the more precious. After their marriage, Wu Han dedicated himself to his academic research, while Yuan Zhen, though unable to work, assisted him with clerical tasks.
Living in the countryside, Wu Han had to walk miles to the city for work. After work, he would buy groceries, often purchasing beef bones to make soup for Yuan Zhen while he and his family ate simple vegetables. Yuan Zhen also contributed by doing light housework.
One day, a friend visiting them saw Yuan Zhen mending an old, patched-up dress. The friend remarked that the dress was more patches than fabric and questioned why she was still mending it. Yuan Zhen joked, “The poor wear threads, the rich wear clothes. We’re just in between.”
After the liberation of China, Wu Han took on a leadership role. Despite his high status, his love for Yuan Zhen remained unchanged. Every evening after work, he would prepare meals and accompany Yuan Zhen on walks. At night, he would review documents and write articles while Yuan Zhen assisted with research and editing, their relationship marked by mutual respect and affection.
Life, however, is unpredictable. Both Wu Han and Yuan Zhen were tragically persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, leading to their deaths. Yet their love story has earned the respect of many.
In the vicissitudes of life, their vow remained unbroken. “Only wishing to grow old with you gently” – a love story for the ages.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
