When the name Soong Ching Ling is mentioned, one may think of her many identities: a legendary woman, a female revolutionary, a patriotic fighter, and even Sun Yat-sen's wife, Soong Meiling's sister, and Song Jiashu's daughter.
However, few people will mention one person, and that is Li Yan'e, who accompanied Soong Qingling through the longest years. Although she was just an illiterate nanny, while taking care of Song Qingling's daily life, she was also buried by Song Qingling in the Song cemetery of the Shanghai International Cemetery after her death, next to the cemetery of Song Qingling's parents.
Song Qingling also reserved a cemetery for himself on the right side of the cemetery. Soon after, she died of illness and was buried with Li Yan'e. This makes Li Yan'e no longer just a passer-by in Song Qingling's life, but a part of her life.
Li Yan'e died of illness, Song Qingling was deeply sad, regardless of her physical discomfort, she wrote a letter of condolence. The letter mentioned that Li Yan'e's ashes have been buried next to her parents, because she is as important to Soong Ching Ling as a relative.
This tragedy made Song Qingling heartbroken.
54 years together, no matter for anyone, is almost a lifetime time. Perhaps those who have been with us the longest are those relatives. Most of the time in the journey of life, we go alone, and although some people will accompany us for a while, there are very few who are consistent from beginning to end.
Li Yan'e is such an existence, from the age of 17 until her death, she only did one thing in her life, that is, she always accompanied Song Qingling.
Her fate is full of bitterness and fate, but it also represents the real life of many ordinary women in that troubled world. Li Yan'e lost her parents when she was very young, was adopted by her kind uncle, and lived a life of fishing and transportation.
In those days, it was a luxury to be well fed and clothed, let alone study. But Li Yan'e has a cheerful personality, is optimistic, good at interacting with people, and has a tenacious spirit.
When she was 16 years old, her uncle tried his best to find an in-law for Li Yan'e, and she finally had a trust. However, Li Yan'e's married life was not satisfactory, but more difficult.
The husband is lazy and indulges in alcohol and gambling every day, which makes the family poor and often hungry. When her husband was out of control, Li Yan'e became the object of his venting and was beaten and scolded.
In 1927, Li Yan'e, who couldn't bear it, resolutely ran away from home, and after a lot of hardships, she finally came to Shanghai and took refuge in her fellow villager Tan Ma. Tan's mother was the niece of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, and Soong Ching Ling trusted her very much.
Li Yan'e's perseverance is admirable.
You little girl, what a wretch! You just stay with me. So, from this moment on, Li Yan'e became Song Qingling's personal nanny and has always been by her side.
In the bloody era, Li Yan'e took meticulous care of Song Qingling's life. Song Qingling pays attention to hygiene and doesn't want dust in her home, so Li Yan'e starts cleaning every morning and cleans every corner of the house.
At the same time, Li Yan'e also sorted Song Qingling's cheongsams by color to ensure that each cheongsam was smooth and wrinkle-free. In addition, Soong Ching Ling likes Shanghai food, although Li Yan'e is from Guangdong and does not know how to cook Shanghai food, but she quickly learns and remembers Soong Ching Ling's tastes, and gets up early every day to go to the market to buy the freshest ingredients and make food for Soong Ching Ling.
However, because of her special historical background and status, Ms. Soong Ching-ling attracted the attention of many Kuomintang reactionaries. These reactionaries tried to extract information from Soong Ching Ling and those around her.
Therefore, Li Yan'e's company naturally attracted the attention of the reactionaries. In order to get the latest situation of Song Qingling, they tried to start with Li Yan'e.
When Li Yan'e went out once, she met a Shanghai woman. The women were very enthusiastic, not only teaching Li Yan'e the craft of cooking, but also often accompanying her to buy groceries, chat, and give gifts, and the friendship between the two grew deeper and deeper.
However, Li Yan'e gradually found that the woman's behavior was a little strange, and she always followed her and asked more and more about Song Qingling's affairs. Realizing that the woman might be a spy for the Kuomintang reactionaries, Li reported the situation to Soong Ching-ling, who sent someone to investigate and confirmed her suspicions.
Although Li Yan'e cut off contact with women, the enemy did not stop there, and came up with a new conspiracy.
Li Yan'e's life ** appeared as a handsome car driver, and his enthusiasm and praise made Li Yan'e accept his pursuit. However, this driver was actually a "beautiful man's plan" of the Kuomintang spies, trying to get a trick from Li Yan'e.
Although the plan of the secret service agency has not yet succeeded, Li Yan'e realizes that she is very sensitive as a person close to Song Qingling. She carefully followed Song Qingling's advice, and since then she has become the "guard who does not hold a gun" by Song Meiling's side.
Every word and action she says may affect Song Qingling.
Since then, Li Yan'e has been more cautious and vigilant to the outside world. Any contact with strangers was excluded by her to protect Song Qingling's safety. She scrutinized the letters and packages she received so that Madame was not threatened.
Once, she found two bullets in a letter, and although she was terrified, she grabbed the envelope tightly and ran out of the apartment to throw the letter away. Another time, Song Qingling asked a tailor who often made clothes to come to the house, but it was a strange tailor who had never seen him before.
Li Yan'e was very vigilant, guarding the tailor's side throughout the whole process, not leaving an inch, until the tailor finished her work and left the apartment, she returned to Song Qingling's side with peace of mind. In the troubled times, the friendship between Li Yan'e and Song Qingling was even deeper.
They were living in their Hong Kong apartment when they were hit by an air raid. Enemy shells kept falling, and nearby houses were blown up. In such a dangerous situation, Li Yan'e always stayed by Song Qingling's side and did her best to protect her safety.
Li Yan'e bravely escaped from the room under artillery fire, calmly set up a ladder on the backyard wall, and assisted Soong Ching Ling to climb out of the window safely. After ensuring the safety of her wife, Li Yan'e returned to the house despite the dissuasion and took out Song Qingling's important documents and belongings safely.
In these critical moments, Soong Ching Ling discovered that Li Yan'e was not just an ordinary woman, and although she was illiterate, her wisdom and loyalty were admirable.
Although she doesn't know enough about many things, she is willing to give everything to repay her kindness, even at the risk of her life. In these stormy days, the relationship between the two became closer and closer, and Song Qingling no longer called Li Yan'e "Mama Li", but affectionately called her "Sister Li".
Although Li Yan'e is more than ten years younger than Song Qingling, in Song Qingling's heart, this loyal and caring nanny has become her relatives and family.
Li Yan'e's care and loyalty to Soong Qingling stems from her deep gratitude and love. As a woman from a poor background and who has experienced hardships, Li Yan'e is fortunate to be Song Qingling's intimate person, which is already the greatest luck and glory for her.
During those turbulent and challenging days, Li Yan'e was always a staunch supporter of Soong Ching Ling, and her presence was like a bright light in the darkness, illuminating the way forward for Soong Ching Ling.
Therefore, Song Qingling's love for Li Yan'e is like the warmth and care of family. When Song Qingling learned of the unfair treatment suffered by Li Yan'e, she did not hesitate to stand up for her.
She found a lawyer to help Li Yan'e dissolve the marriage contract, publicly stated her support for her twice, and gave her a free life. All of this is full of Song Qingling's deep love and protection for Li Yan'e.
After experiencing the "Beautiful Men Plan" incident, Song Qingling deeply felt that Li Yan'e needed a family of her own. So, she tried many times to find a suitable partner for Li Yan'e, but Li Yan'e politely refused.
Whenever there was no one at home, Soong Ching Ling would invite Li Yan'e to dinner, however, Li Yan'e felt that it was inappropriate to do so and always refused. In this regard, Song Qingling took Li Yan'e's hand and said: "In my heart, you are already a member of our family, and we are all sisters.
Why bother to divide between master and servant? Don't be so polite to me anymore! "There are often guests visiting the family, and the specialties and foreign delicacies they bring will be distributed by Soong Ching Ling to Li Yan'e, so that she can also taste the food.
Since Li Yan'e is from Guangdong, Song Qingling is worried that she will miss her hometown, so whenever a friend comes from Guangdong, she will ask someone to bring Li Yan'e some Guangdong specialties.
Although Li Yan'e is illiterate, she is very interested in learning.
Although Song Qingling could not teach Li Yan'e to read and write in person, she bought a radio in Li Yan'e's room with good intentions, so that she could listen to radio news and ** in her spare time, which not only improved her knowledge, but also killed her boring time.
Whenever Li Yan'e's birthday comes, Song Qingling always remembers to prepare gifts for her earlier than Li Yan'e herself, and will order a cake in advance to celebrate with her.
After learning that Li Yan'e was suffering from cancer, Song Qingling's heart was full of pain and helplessness, and she tried her best to use all her connections to send Li Yan'e to the hospital with the best medical conditions, and at the same time find the best oncologist.
Every time she arrived at Li Yan'e's hospital bed, Song Qingling couldn't help but feel heartache when she saw her haggard face due to the torture of illness, she held Li Yan'e's hand tightly and comforted her softly.
After Li Yan'e passed away, Song Qingling put her face on her black and white posthumous photo, as if it was pasted on her face again, and tears rolled down like pearls with broken threads. She decided to bury Li Yan'e in the Song cemetery, and promised that she would return here in a hundred years to rest with her parents and her sister Li Yan'e.
In the wonderful encounters of life, Song Qingling and Li Yan'e, two women with very different identities, have concluded a deep friendship that spans half a century.
They supported each other, loved each other, witnessed important moments in each other's lives, and even became each other's relatives in this world after losing their family members.
After their deaths, they were buried together in a tomb, and Song Qingling proved their relationship with their actions like sisters. The friendship and friendship in this troubled world are touching and admirable.