Share to: Comments welcome, I want to comment. On October 29, a reporter from the South Daily wanted to interview the elder by phone, but due to the hearing damage left by the battle, he was unable to take the telephone interview. However, after learning of the reporter's wish for an interview, the elder voluntarily wrote down his story with Li Yu.
In the phone call, Ms. Sun excitedly told the reporter from the South Daily: "Dad spent the whole night before revising at his desk, recalling every moment he had shared with Ms. Li Yu in those years. The next day, he carefully transcribed it onto paper with a fountain pen. As his children, we were deeply moved by this gesture."
After some time together, the two decided to start a romantic relationship. In those days, Xu Yougen had applied to the leadership for marriage, but due to his low rank (second lieutenant) and young age, he did not meet the conditions for marriage, so the application was not approved. In 1946, the civil war broke out, and Xu Yougen went north with his troops, losing contact with her.
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The reporter from the South Daily learned through the volunteers of the 'Care for Veterans Network' that on October 21, with the help of volunteers and accompanied by his family, Xu Yougen returned to Guangzhou, fulfilling his wish to pay respects to his company commander and reunite with old comrades-in-arms. Before departure, Xu Yougen shyly expressed to volunteer Wu Yuan his desire to find his first love, Li Yu, from Hong Kong. It is understood that after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, Xu Yougen's unit was stationed in Shenzhen near the Guangjiu Railway. Ms. Li Yu, who had relatives doing business in Shenzhen, frequently traveled between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. By chance, one of her relatives was detained in Xu Yougen’s company. Ms. Li Yu often visited her relative, and thus the two met. That year, Xu Yougen was 22 years old, and Li Yu was 19, studying in Kowloon, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong.
Ms. Sun also said: "Although Dad always says that his life now is complete and he has no other desires, as his children, we can see that Dad really misses Li Yu. We also hope to fulfill his final wish while he is still alive."
South Daily News, intern reporter He Wei reports: A 65-year separation between deep affection across the borders of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Xu Yougen, an 87-year-old veteran from Hangzhou who fought in the Anti-Japanese War, has an unfulfilled wish: to find his first love, Li Yu, from Hong Kong, whom he lost contact with 65 years ago due to war turmoil. Back then, Xu Yougen's unit was stationed in Shenzhen where he met and fell in love with Li Yu, who was studying in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Later, because of the civil war, Xu Yougen lost contact with his girlfriend.
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◎Li Yu: Born in 1927, now 84 years old, studied in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong in 1945. Their last meeting was near Shanghai Street in Yau Ma Tei.
◎Xu Yougen (also known as Xu Hongxiang), born in 1924, currently resides in Dongsheng Natural Village, Tingcun Village, Dayuan Town, Fuyang City, Zhejiang Province. He was originally the Non-commissioned Officer Deputy Platoon Leader of the 2nd Platoon, 7th Company, 3rd Battalion, 89th Regiment, New 30th Division of the Army, and participated in the Myitkyina Campaign and Nankhan Campaign during the Anti-Japanese War.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xu Yougen returned to his hometown. In 1954, at the age of 31, Xu Yougen married a wife ten years younger than him and started a normal farming life. Several decades passed, and the elderly couple enjoyed good health, a large family, and a very happy life.
Veteran reveals unfulfilled wish
Elder writes about love from 65 years ago
"On the day I left, Li Yu cried like a teary person, collapsing at the dock. I didn't dare to look back at my dear friend, Yu, with tears streaming down her face. Hardening my heart, I boarded the warship. Lying on the deck, I sighed to the sky!" Thereafter, due to national turmoil and strict external policies, they completely lost contact under duress.
The elder's daughter-in-law hopes to fulfill the elder's final wish. Xu Yougen, the 87-year-old Anti-Japanese War veteran from Hangzhou.
◎Xu Yougen (also known as Xu Hongxiang), born in 1924, currently resides in Dongsheng Natural Village, Tingcun Village, Dayuan Town, Fuyang City, Zhejiang Province. He was originally the Non-commissioned Officer Deputy Platoon Leader of the 2nd Platoon, 7th Company, 3rd Battalion, 89th Regiment, New 30th Division of the Army.
Ms. Sun told reporters that although the elder is approaching his nineties, he remains physically fit and spirited. His mindset is particularly positive, and he never complains. Reading newspapers is his greatest hobby, and maintaining physical activity is his mantra. He keeps himself clean and tidy. He insists on washing his face and taking showers with cold water, washing his own clothes, and rarely falls ill. At the age of 87, he does not need glasses or magnifying glasses, easily threading needles with thread as fine as hair.
In the "retrospective letter" to the South Daily reporter, Xu Yougen wrote: "At that time, Yu did not want me to leave. I had already taken off my military uniform and put on civilian clothes, preparing to stay in Guangdong. But then I thought, after so many years of military life, I have no special skills. How will I live if I leave the army? Truly difficult! Difficult! Difficult!" After much consideration, Xu Yougen still chose to leave with the army. Before parting, he gave all his valuable belongings to Li Yu for living expenses, promising: if the warship could dock in Shanghai, he would certainly leave the army and find a way to bring her over!
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