Eternal Love

I never knew such profound love could exist in this world.

The young man came from a small town in southern China, while the young woman was a native of Beijing. One day, they fell in love. When she brought him home to meet her mother, the mother inquired about his family background, which he honestly shared. After hearing his story, her mother's expression darkened, and she abruptly left the room, effectively banishing him from their home.

"What's wrong?" the daughter anxiously asked her mother.

Her mother replied, "During the Cultural Revolution, his father was responsible for your father's death. You were too young to remember. I will never allow you to marry him. If you do, I would rather die."

Disbelieving, the young man returned to his southern hometown and frantically questioned his father. After a long silence, his father finally said, "The Cultural Revolution was chaotic. Some things are better left unexplained." Then he fell into a prolonged silence.

In an instant, their world turned upside down. A loving couple faced separation because of a feud between their parents. Unwilling to accept this fate, the young woman knelt before her mother, begging for her blessing. Her mother was unyielding: "Not until I'm dead will this ever be possible."

The daughter knew her mother had remained a widow for over twenty years out of loyalty to her father. How could she betray such deep family bonds? In despair, she tearfully told her lover they must part ways: "I will never marry anyone but you. I'll wait for you, even if my hair turns from black to white."

With tears streaming down his face, he embraced her and promised, "I will never marry anyone but you, even if I must wait until our next life."

This was in the 1980s—a time of passionate vows. They promised to remain faithful to each other forever, guarding their love against all odds.

For five years, they kept their promise. They rejected all potential suitors, for in their hearts, they belonged only to each other. Eventually, they began meeting in secret, behind their parents' backs. By then, no distance could separate their hearts, and no authority could break their bond.

During those five years, she lived in the north while he remained in the south. Every two months, she would travel by train from Beijing to his small town. Sometimes she would buy a hard-seat ticket to save money for nutritional supplements for him, as his thinness worried her.

This journey continued for five years. Each trip from Beijing to his town was filled with her love and joy. She concealed these trips from her mother, claiming they were business trips, when in reality, she simply wanted to see her beloved in the south.

When she turned 28, he came to find her and suggested, "Let's run away together."

His family situation had changed—his mother had passed away. As an only son, his father had knelt before him, pleading: "Son, please get married. I beg you. Our family line cannot end." His father remained on his knees, refusing to rise until his son agreed.

After a grueling train journey of over ten hours, the young man proposed elopement to his beloved. She fell silent, recognizing the enormous cost of their love. She couldn't bear to hurt his father's feelings for the sake of their relationship. Such devotion was faithful but also selfish.

"No," she said. "I won't run away with you. You don't have that freedom. Nor will I die with you. You must take care of your aging father. Go and find a good woman to marry. I won't blame you, because your happiness is my happiness."

He held her tightly and wept uncontrollably. He never imagined his beloved could be so magnanimous, willing to sacrifice their love for his family's well-being.

He urged her: "You should marry too. Don't wait for me. In our next life, I promise I will marry you."

She shook her head: "In this lifetime, I will never find another love like ours. I will be like a kapok tree, standing in the wind, waiting for you."

During their final meeting, he gave her a pair of jade cicadas—a precious emerald heirloom from his family. The two cicadas stood side by side, gazing at each other with eternal devotion.

He said, "Though not priceless, when you grow old and unable to care for yourself, sell it. It will provide for you. When you see it, you see me."

She fell into his arms, sobbing. This man had thought even of her old age, fearing she might struggle alone, and had given her his family treasure. This love, despite everything, was worth it.

Her gift to him was a painting—her finest work—depicting two kapok trees covered with countless blossoms. She said tenderly, "This represents my hope for our next life. I am one of these flowers, waiting for you to pick me."

On his wedding day, he hung the painting in his new home, tears streaming down his face. Those two kapok trees represented him and her. Though physically apart, she remained in his heart and soul.

The lovers agreed never to see each other again or maintain contact, as the kind-hearted woman wanted him to devote himself fully to his family. For the next twenty years, they had no communication—one in the south, one in the north, truly worlds apart.

During those two decades, she became a renowned art dealer in northern China. She opened a large gallery in Beijing and frequently traveled abroad to buy and sell paintings. Yet she remained single despite numerous suitors, never showing interest in anyone else.

By then, her mother had passed away. On her deathbed, her mother had held her hand and said, "Child, I'm sorry. I ruined your life. Go find him."

The daughter wept, knowing her mother's blessing had come twenty years too late.