The wedding of Liu Ximei and former firefighter Liang Zhibin took place in Hunan on 29/11.

Their love story began with the Sichuan earthquake tragedy in 2008. At the time, Liu Ximei was just 10 years old, buried under the rubble of a two-story building. Liang Zhibin, a 22-year-old firefighter, found her.

The rescue operation lasted nearly 4 hours. Dazed from pain and fear, young Liu felt a rough hand repeatedly touch her, reassuring her: "Don't be afraid, I will get you out. Just hold on a little longer."

Liu Ximei marries the firefighter who saved her life. Photo: Sina

After her rescue, Liu and her family moved to their hometown in Zhuzhou, Hunan. Memories of the young firefighter faded over time, until an evening in 2020. At a restaurant in Hunan, Liu's mother was startled to see a man at a nearby table whose build and face were identical to her daughter's rescuer. Encouraged by her mother, Liu bravely approached him and was overjoyed when he confirmed he was Liang Zhibin.

Following this chance encounter, Liu proactively stayed in touch. Initially, Liang viewed Liu as a younger sister and maintained distance due to their 12-year age gap. However, the young woman's vivaciousness gradually bridged the generational divide. Liu often invited him to watch livestreams, explained internet slang, and brought a fresh perspective to the firefighter's solitary life.

"She gives me energy and hope whenever I feel down", Liang admitted. Conversely, Liu admired her rescuer's steadfastness and sense of responsibility. She was the one who initiated the declaration of love, using her sincerity to persuade Liang to overcome his age complex.

During the wedding ceremony, Liang emotionally recalled their extraordinary destiny: "Years ago, I saved her; now, she has become the light of my life." For him, while saving lives is any soldier's duty, he felt grateful to fate that the person under the rubble that day was Liu.

Nhat Minh (According to Sina, QQ)