Love in the time of war

Historical materials about Feng Zhongyun and Xue Wen are kept in an album by their son, Feng Songguang. One of Feng Zongyun's handwritten letters is on the left and the the certificate marking his appointment as chairman of Songjiang province is on the right. [Photo by He Keyao/ chinadaily.com.cn]

Reunion after 12 years

In the next 12 years, the couple didn't see or hear from each other. There were no letters, no telegrams, no news, nothing at all.

Those years were the hardest time for the country as China struggled to defend itself and fight for survival. Those years were the darkest time for the people when tens of thousands of compatriots died in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

They didn't know whether each still waited for the other, or even if the other was still alive.

During all those years, Feng Zhongyun fought in Northeast China and moved across the region. He was wounded on the battlefield for many times and suffered extreme hardships and danger.

"When I went to swim with my dad in childhood, I saw his skin around an ankle was black," his son, Feng Songguang said. "That was a result of serious chilblain when he fought in the northeast."

Meanwhile, Xue Wen tried to go back to her husband after settling their children in a safe place. She was arrested in Shanghai and held for three months, where she witnessed the Japanese invasion of Shanghai and the Nanjing area. During the war, some of her family members died, including her firstborn son, her sister, mother-in-law and niece. The burden of the whole family rested on her shoulders.

However, hardship made her stronger and tougher. She constantly tried to find Party members and conducted secret anti-Japanese activities.

In 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally. Xue went to the northern Jiangsu province and later studied in a Communist Party school in central China.

In 1946, during her stay at the school, she finally received Feng Zhongyun's letter, a letter she awaited for 12 years.

"After such a long time, I don't know who would be able to read my words," he wrote. "As long as Xue hasn't betrayed our country and Party, she is still my wife. I've been waiting for her all these years and I know my persistence is worth it."

The couple soon resumed contact. Two months later, Xue took her daughter and one of her nieces with her to Harbin, the city where Feng worked. He was appointed chairman of Songjiang province at the time.

"When my husband saw me and my daughter walking up the stairs to his office, he was just too excited to move his feet," Xue Wen recalled, describing their reunion in her book.

"They loved each other deeply," Feng Songguang said, and were romantic in their own way.