In a foreign affairs event in September 2015, Comrade Li Baodong, vice minister of China, took time to go to New York to visit a 110-year-old man.
The old man is in good spirits and has a noble temperament. When Li Baodong arrived at the old man's home, the old man had been waiting here for a long time, her face was full of satisfied smiles, and she was ready to stand up and shake hands with Li Baodong.
However, Li Baodong immediately stepped forward to lend a helping hand to prevent the old man from being overly excited, expressing his deep respect for the old man.
Li Baodong and Yan Youyun came together, Li Baodong held a letter in his hand, he said: "I was entrusted by Minister Wang Yi and Comrade *** to come here. This letter is written by them and would like to hand it over to you personally. ”
Li Baodong continued: "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, which is of great significance to us in China and hundreds of millions of Chinese. Ms. Yan has made great contributions to China's diplomacy in the past, and we have not forgotten your contributions, so we have come to thank you. ”
After hearing this, Li Baodong briefed the old man on the brilliant achievements of New China in recent years, and the old man was very pleased to hear this, asked many domestic questions, and expressed concern for the development of the motherland.
Where did this graceful old woman come from? What is her connection with the anti-fascist war? And what is the secret of her longevity? Let's explore the "Flower of Love" in Shanghai Beach.
In 1905, in a villa on the Tang side of Shanghai, Yan Zijun, a wealthy man, was gathering with his family and friends to celebrate the full moon of his child. Today coincides with the full moon of the child, and the Yan family held a grand full moon wine for the child.
After Yan Zijun's relatives and friends learned the good news, they stepped forward to congratulate him. This child is the third daughter of the Yan family, so everyone affectionately calls them "the three sisters of the Yan family".
In "The Three Sisters of the Yan Family", the eldest sister is named Yan Caiyun, the second sister is called Yan Lianyun, and the newborn little sister is called Yan Youyun, she is the protagonist of our story today.
Yan Youyun's family was originally from Ningbo, Zhejiang, and their family was able to prosper because of her grandfather Yan Xinhou.
Yan Xinhou Yan Youyun's grandfather, Yan Xinhou, originally served as an apprentice in a money village in Shanghai, he was appreciated by the local ** by virtue of his diligence and extraordinary wisdom, and was then recommended to Li Hongzhang, a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty.
He was by Li Hongzhang's side, and soon became Li Hongzhang's confidant and gave him advice. When the Westernization Movement arose in the late Qing Dynasty, Yan Xinhou seized the opportunity and opened a salt factory in Tianjin.
After Li Hongzhang's death, he returned to Shanghai and continued to engage in the money business.
Li Hongzhang's descendant, Yan Zijun, became a well-known tycoon in Shanghai, owning two large money houses and cloth shops. Yan Youyun was born in this wealthy family, and lived a pampered and incomparably superior life when she was a child.
Because her family runs a silk fabric industry, Yan Youyun's clothes have never been the same when she was a child, and she has always been at the forefront of fashion. Yan Youyun, who has paid attention to dressing up since she was a child, is a little girl who loves beauty.
Yan Youyun is not only passionate about dressing and makeup, but also has a deep cultural heritage and all-round talent. Her father knew the importance of knowledge and nurtured her in all aspects from an early age.
Yan Youyun's enlightenment teacher was a professor at a university in Shanghai, and she was educated in a variety of skills such as Mandarin, English, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting since she was a child. Because she is so smart, these skills are quickly mastered.
A few years later, Yan Zijun's family moved to Tianjin, and Yan Youyun and her two older sisters entered Tianjin Girls' School to study.
The three ladies of the Yan family have excelled academically and have always been known as the elite of girls' schools. In 1921, Yan Youyun's eldest sister Yan Caiyun was admitted to Jinling Women's University, and college students were very rare at that time, and women who could go to college were even rarer.
Soon after, Yan Youyun's second sister was also admitted to Jinling Women's University, but Yan Youyun, who had a distinctive personality, did not follow in the footsteps of her two sisters, and she decided to return to Shanghai for development.
In 1925, Yan Youyun was successfully admitted to Shanghai University (now known as University of Shanghai for Science and Technology), and after studying here for two years, she made the decision to transfer to the business school of Fudan University, and began her Fudan University career and became the most beautiful school flower of Fudan University.
Yan Youyun of Fudan University is a woman in her prime, she is not only knowledgeable and reasonable, with outstanding temperament, but also graceful posture and excellent appearance. What's even more amazing is that she has an excellent academic record and can even drive.
In the twenties of the last century, Yan Youyun dared to drive to school by herself, and it can be said that she is the only woman in the country who can do this! What's more interesting is that her license plate number is "84", because the English pronunciation of "84" is "eightfour", so the school classmates gave her a special nickname according to the English homonym of Shanghainese, called "Flower of Love".
Fudan University is known all over the world. There are many suitors, and even her name has spread all over Shanghai and is known as a public lover. Many people in society fell in love with her beauty, and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as a lot of attention.
However, Yan Youyun is dismissive of these suitors, she pursues men with extensive knowledge and high aspirations. Soon after, a man came into her sight, and he became the perfect man in Yan Youyun's heart.
At the 1928 ball, Yan Youyun met an eye-catching figure - Yang Guanglu. He is a young Tsinghua University professor, although he is only 28 years old, he has been studying abroad for many years and has a wide range of knowledge and experience.
His handsome appearance, elegant manners, delicate face and elegant temperament make him stand out from the crowd. At the dinner, he talked freely with his classmates about his ideals and shared overseas customs, which made people impressed by his knowledge and vision.
When talking to everyone, Yang Guanglu's eyes shone with the flame of hope, and whenever he was passionate, he couldn't help but dance. has a similar background to Yan Youyun, his father is a wealthy man in Huzhou, who has received a high-quality education since he was a child.
At the age of 16, he was successfully admitted to Tsinghua University. In 1920, Yang Guanglu was sent to the University of Colorado in the United States for further study, after witnessing the strength and prosperity of the United States, his heart was deeply shocked, and he decided to contribute to the motherland with his own practical actions!
After Yang Guanglu succeeded in his studies, he immediately returned to China to serve. He served as a professor at Tsinghua University, enriching himself and serving the country. At a time when diplomacy was in dire need of capable people, Yang Guanglu was appointed to the embassy in 1928 and became a young and outstanding diplomat.
He is worthy of all Yan Youyun's expectations for the other half!
Yan Youyun and Yang Guanglu, two people with different cultural backgrounds, have a good impression of each other because of a dance. Yan Youyun has been influenced by Western culture since she was a child, but she still retains the gentle temperament of the eldest lady, and her unique charm fascinates Yang Guanglu.
They fell in love with each other, and their relationship quickly warmed up, and finally they were married in Shanghai on September 6, 1929. The wedding attracted a lot of attention, even including Minister Wang Zhengting, who personally served as their witness.
On that day, the presence of thousands of people shook the whole of Shanghai.
Yang Guanglu and Yan Youyun, one is from a famous family and the other is talented; One is known as the school flower of Fudan, and the other has become a diplomatic star! Their combination is like a match made in heaven, talented and beautiful, very compatible!
Soon after the marriage, Yang Guanglu was sent to the European embassy, and Yan Youyun went to Europe with her husband, and met her husband's boss, Gu Weijun. Who would have thought that Yan Youyun would have an intersection with Gu Weijun in the future?
However, this is life, full of unknown surprises.
As the wife of a diplomat, Yan Youyun knows that her words and deeds represent the image of the country. She did not hesitate to invest her personal wealth, founded a number of charities, devoted to social welfare and military supplies and other fields, and actively promoted philanthropy, winning high praise from all walks of life.
This move also made her husband Yang Guanglu feel more face-saving. However, in 1938, when Yang Guanglu was ordered to go to the ** embassy in Manila, no one expected this to be the beginning of the tragedy.
At that time, the claws of the Japanese had begun to extend to the Philippines, and Yan Youyun resolutely appealed, hoping that all walks of life in the Philippines could unite and fight against the strong enemy.
Yang Guanglu, Yan Youyun and their three daughters. However, the Japanese attack was too violent, and in 1942, the Japanese captured Manila, and Yang was captured in the embassy.
* Later, the Japanese tried to persuade Yang Guanglu to surrender, but Yang Guanglu scolded the Japanese and swore to death. This move angered the Japanese, and Yang Guanglu was brutally murdered at the age of 42.
After learning the news of her husband's murder, Yan Youyun almost fainted. She originally wanted to die, but looking at her three children, her heart softened.
Yan Youyun fought side by side with her three daughters, secretly organized anti-Japanese activities in the Philippines, provided first-class funds for the locals, spread the concept of anti-Japanese resistance, and adopted the widows and children of more than 40 diplomats.
After unremitting efforts, they finally ushered in the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan and were liberated! Looking back on the love process with Gu Weijun, in 1945, after the end of the Anti-Japanese War, ** was grateful for Yan Youyun's contributions during the war, and he was specially appointed as the United Nations protocol officer, and Yan Youyun also spent the rest of her life in New York.
Yan Youyun officially took over her husband Gu Weijun's diplomatic career and made a name for herself at the United Nations. Her job includes handling official ceremonial matters and receiving heads of state, which may seem simple, but in fact they are tedious and require care.
Yan Youyun's outstanding performance has won high praise from all parties. Soon, Gu Weijun also came to the United States, and he was in charge of the affairs of the people in the United Nations.
Gu Weijun, a master of modern diplomacy, once said that "China cannot lose Shandong, just as the West cannot lose Jerusalem!" The famous words shocked the world. In the days of overseas wandering, he urgently needed a partner who could connect with his heart, so he met Yan Youyun.
However, Gu Weijun was married at the time, and his wife was Huang Huilan. Although the wealthy side of the Huang Huilan family gave Gu Weijun a lot of material support, what Gu Weijun longed for more was spiritual comfort.
Gu Weijun and Huang Huilan's marriage broke down due to disagreements. Huang Huilan was born in a wealthy family, dressed in gold and jade jewelry, and the car she drove was bought by her father, but Gu Weijun was not interested in it.
He once said, "Don't wear anything but the ornaments I bought you!" However, Huang Huilan took this for granted, and the two had an estrangement.
After reuniting with Yan Youyun in the United States, Gu Weijun's feelings for Huang Huilan were irreparable, and finally chose to divorce. The relationship between the two of them is like a wide Pacific Ocean, separated from each other.
Huang Huilan understood that this relationship was irretrievable, and finally agreed to divorce. However, after the divorce, the relationship between Gu Weijun and Yan Youyun has become deeper and deeper under the baptism of the years.
In 1958, 70-year-old Gu Weijun and 54-year-old Yan Youyun entered the palace of marriage and spent a happy old age together. This marriage was full of love and respect, and it became the most beautiful chapter of their lives.
Although Yan Youyun entered Gu Weijun's life as a "little three", she did not suffer too much criticism and accusations in the evaluation of later generations. This is because after Yan Youyun became Gu Weijun's wife, she fully assumed the responsibilities of a wife.
She gave up her job as a protocol officer at the United Nations and became Gu Weijun's assistant. Yan Youyun not only helped Gu Weijun review the documents and put forward professional advice, but also helped Gu Weijun prepare the clothes and documents he needed before he went out.
Yan Youyun's care for Gu Weijun is meticulous, not only personally reviewing Gu Weijun's food, but also inviting a famous American nutritionist to formulate special recipes, which undoubtedly plays a key role in Gu Weijun's health and longevity.
Gu Weijun died at the age of 98, which is inseparable from Yan Youyun's careful care. In 1985, after Gu Weijun passed away in his American apartment, Yan Youyun did not indulge in sadness, but faced it with a peaceful attitude.
She donated her husband's relics and documents with historical research value to the Shanghai Museum free of charge to commemorate and inherit Gu Weijun's spirit and contributions. Yan Youyun's love and generosity are undoubtedly the best nostalgia for Gu Weijun, and it is also her respect and contribution to history and culture.
Her deeds make us deeply feel the power of love and the meaning of life.
The secret of Yan Youyun and her two daughters' longevity lies in their positive and optimistic attitude. And Yan Youyun's maintenance method for herself also has its own uniqueness, even in her later years, she has never forgotten to pursue a refined life.
As a woman who pays attention to maintenance, Yan Youyun's performance in life is also highly praised. She is particularly fond of meat and sweets, especially braised pork, pork belly and petit fours.
The three Yan sisters may all think that the elderly should eat less meat to prevent it from burdening their stomachs. However, Yan Youyun has a different opinion. She is a firm believer that meat is rich in high-quality protein and can provide the body with the energy it needs every day.
As a woman who pays great attention to her image, Yan Youyun believes that eating meat can make her ** firmer and smoother, instead of being shriveled and producing many wrinkles like other elderly people.
Although eating meat makes her figure a little bloated, we can see from the photos of her life in her later years that her ** condition is still very good, which is the result of her careful maintenance.
Yan Youyun not only loves food, especially meat, but also loves to dress up. Regardless of her age, she has maintained her love for high heels and has always believed that they are part of femininity.
If it can bring joy to women, makeup is definitely one of them. For Yan Youyun, makeup and grooming are like rituals that make her feel extremely happy.
She has loved dressing since she was a child, has a large wardrobe, and dresses herself carefully every day. She doesn't miss the chance to wear a luxury perfume when attending important events, and she cherishes her appearance.
Yan Youyun, a trendy "aunt", likes to communicate with young people, and her mobile phone is full of young people's numbers. Whenever she goes out, she always actively talks to young people and stays*** even if she doesn't necessarily be able to continue talking, but she keeps her young mindset in this way.
Although she is old, Yan Youyun has a clear mind and good eyesight. Every morning, she would make herself a cup of morning tea, and then read the newspaper and write while savoring, immersing herself in the world of famous masterpieces and improving her cultural literacy.
Who would have thought that this was an old man who was already 101 years old!
Yan Youyun loves sponsoring overseas Chinese in the United States, and every time she sponsors, she can bring back her fond memories in the Philippines, and her heart is full of emotion. She often reminds her daughter, "No matter what happens, stay optimistic, just like you did in Manila." ”
Yan Youyun's three daughters are all excellent, the eldest daughter works as an editor at an American newspaper, and she also compiled "Kissinger's Memoirs".
Yan Youyun's two daughters, one of whom is an entrepreneur, is the first Chinese-American female vice president in the history of General Motors. With her efforts, Buick settled in Shanghai after the reform and opening up.
The youngest daughter is a real estate businessman, and although she later became a full-time wife, her youngest daughter's life passed away early, which is regrettable. Yan Youyun's children and grandchildren are all outstanding, and whenever they are mentioned, the old man is in a very happy mood.
In May 2017, the school flower of Fudan University and the last socialite in Shanghai completed her legendary life at the age of 112.
Yan Youyun's life has been full of ups and downs, and she and her three daughters have spent the baptism of the years together. However, fate was ruthless, and Yan Youyun's second daughter also passed away, leaving only her eldest daughter Yang Leimeng.
In January 2022, Yang Leimeng returned to Ningbo from the United States with a deep attachment to her hometown and decided to spend the rest of her life here. Looking back on Yan Youyun's life, her tenacity and optimism are admirable.
Through the ups and downs, she has a deep understanding of the path of life, that is, to maintain an optimistic attitude, which is the true meaning of life. We should not only express our admiration for this old man, but also learn from her spirit, no matter what difficulties we encounter in life, we must not be shocked and live with a smile.