Classic Tragic Love Stories: Hand in Hand, Walking Home
The school bell rang, but the students were still engrossed in Professor Zhang Mingchi’s captivating lecture. An elderly man, seemingly unaware of the time, shuffled from the back of the classroom to the podium. He looked at his wife with a childlike smile and stood quietly by her side. With an apologetic glance at his students, Professor Zhang gently took his wife’s hand, led her to the back row, and then continued his lecture.
This scene was captured by a student and shared on Weibo. The simple yet heartfelt image, accompanied by a touching caption, brought tears to many eyes and quickly garnered tens of thousands of shares. “A lifetime of teaching, a lifetime of unwavering love—this old teacher’s story strikes at the softest parts of our hearts…”
Professor Zhang is an associate professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. He began bringing his wife to class three years ago when she started experiencing mental health issues, including mild depression and disorientation. She often couldn’t find her way home and struggled to recognize people. With their children and grandchildren living far away, Professor Zhang, worried and out of options, made the difficult decision to bring his wife to class.
During lectures, Professor Zhang would teach from the podium while his wife sat quietly at the back, listening attentively. Perhaps she no longer understood what her husband was saying, but the memory of the school bell ringing seemed to act like an unbreakable thread, guiding her to his side. As soon as the bell rang, she would take his hand, and he would lead her home.
“We thought they were just an exceptionally loving elderly couple sitting together. The professor never mentioned his wife’s condition during class; he simply focused on teaching. She, too, kept her eyes on him the whole time,” recalled Wu Xingxing, a student who had attended Professor Zhang’s class.
“During breaks, the professor would walk over to his wife. She wouldn’t say a word but would smile. When I sat at the back of the classroom, she was right behind me, but I never heard her speak. She just smiled—a smile that radiated happiness and peace, making everyone envious.”
Professor Zhang and his wife met after he moved from Shanghai to Zhenjiang in the 1970s, and they married in 1972. They have since walked through 40 springs together. In Professor Zhang’s eyes, his wife has always been diligent and capable. She used to work in a machine factory, often operating five machines by herself. She also made clothes, shoes, and even cut his hair.
“In the past, she took care of me. Now it’s my turn to take good care of her,” Professor Zhang said with a firm but gentle gaze.
Every day, they walk hand in hand to class and back, supporting each other as they descend the stairs and board the school bus. The elderly couple sits side by side, with the evening sun shining on their serene faces. Professor Zhang doesn’t realize that his students are quietly watching, afraid to disturb the beautiful scene carved out by time.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
