The Lin Group's CEO and the scientist Goddess Gu shared a lifetime of mutual devotion, a relationship that was the envy of many.
CEO Lin doted on Goddess Gu for over fifty years, especially after turning sixty-five when Lin Zhihua handed the company over to their only son, Lin Sinian.
From then on, he stepped directly into the world of science, following his wife in and out every day.
At first, some scoffed—what business did a businessman have dabbling in science? But later…
Well, they were all kneeling and calling him "Daddy."
Your dad is still your dad, after all.
Lin Zhihua was never truly passionate about scientific research—his passion lay in flaunting his love for Goddess Gu and spoiling her endlessly.
Over a decade of such bliss passed before Lin Zhihua, at the age of eighty-two, fell critically ill.
Eighty-two was already a venerable age. The more he wished to stay by Xue Jiao’s side, the more he cared for his health.
But it was a pity—he hadn’t met Xue Jiao in his youth and hadn’t taken good care of himself back then. Now, in old age, he couldn’t overcome this final hurdle.
He was nine years older than Xue Jiao, and she, having been meticulously cared for by him all these years, was still in relatively good health.
This was Lin Sinian’s greatest worry—that after his father’s passing, his mother might not be able to bear the loss.
In his youth, Lin Zhihua had been a master of calculation, yet in his final year, he developed dementia—something Lin Sinian had never anticipated.
The Lin Zhihua with dementia remembered nothing—except Xue Jiao.
She was his beloved.
Every morning when he woke, the first thing he did was hold the hand of the woman lying beside him and softly call out, "Wife."
Then he would smile, beaming like a child.
Only Xue Jiao could feed him, and he would only listen to her.
So, at seventy-three, Xue Jiao retired from the scientific community to spend her days with Lin Zhihua. They would take walks together, and she would read to him, her reading glasses perched on her nose.
And she would watch as Lin Zhihua laughed like a child, his toothless mouth opening and closing as he called her—
"Wife."
Xue Jiao would laugh too, the wrinkles on her face deepening. Even in old age, she remained the most beautiful, the kindest-looking old lady.
Shortly after Lin Zhihua’s eighty-second birthday, he was admitted to the ICU. Later, when he regained consciousness, he insisted on going home.
Though Lin Sinian was his own flesh and blood, and though he was moved to tears when his father finally recognized him, the old man simply said—
"You should leave. Don’t disturb your mother and me during our time alone."
Lin Sinian: "…"
His tears still wet on his face, he was left speechless.
Lin Sinian and the other younger family members stepped out, while Xue Jiao gazed at Lin Zhihua with a smile, showing no trace of sorrow over his impending departure.
Lin Zhihua smiled too, utterly content.
"Sweetheart, I’ve grown old."
"Uncle, so have I," Xue Jiao replied with a laugh.
Back in their playful days, Lin Zhihua had loved hearing her call him "Uncle."
Lin Zhihua grasped her hand—his own now wrinkled like tree bark, veins protruding, trembling slightly.
Xue Jiao held his hand in return and helped him into his wheelchair.
"It’s still early. Let’s go watch the sunrise," Lin Zhihua said.
Xue Jiao nodded. "Alright."
They went out to the balcony. The weather was beautiful that day—a streak of light on the horizon, the sun about to rise. It was clear that the day would bring blue skies and white clouds.
Ever since Lin Zhihua and Xue Jiao had developed the largest, most advanced air purifier a decade ago, Beijing’s skies had been free of smog. On good days, the city was greeted with clear blue skies.
This was Lin Zhihua’s sole scientific achievement—a birthday gift for Xue Jiao.
My love, I give you blue skies and white clouds. Xue Jiao had also grown old and could no longer squat, so she brought a stool to sit beside the wheelchair, leaning close to Lin Zhihua.
Gazing at the blue sky, Lin Zhihua asked softly, "Should I have died long ago? Before you came into my life."
Xue Jiao nodded obediently. This was the first time in their entire lives they had broached this topic.
She had realized he knew during their marriage proposal, but he never mentioned it again—until today.
"Yes, that car accident."
Lin Zhihua smiled, genuinely happy. "No wonder I love you so much. So you were my fate all along."
"I love you too," Xue Jiao said, tilting her head to look at him.
Though age had left Lin Zhihua nearly immobile, he still managed to turn his head slightly and press a kiss to Xue Jiao's forehead. Then he murmured, "Jiao Jiao, I can't carry you on my back anymore..."
"It's alright. You carried me long enough," Xue Jiao replied with a smile.
Lin Zhihua's eyes crinkled with joy. "Meeting you in this lifetime was heaven's greatest gift to me. In our next life, I hope we can be together again."
Xue Jiao half-closed her eyes as she studied the old man before her. He had aged, yet she still found him as handsome as ever.
"I'm leaving... Don't follow me too soon, alright?"
Xue Jiao's eyes reddened, but she remained silent.
Lin Zhihua squeezed her hand gently and whispered—
"My darling... I love you..."
His grip loosened. With a smile lingering on his lips, he departed by his beloved's side.
Xue Jiao watched as a crimson sun gradually rose on the horizon. A wide smile spread across her face, even as tears streamed down her cheeks.
After Lin Zhihua's passing, Lin Sinian stayed by his mother's side without fail, deeply concerned for her.
Yet she calmly arranged the funeral, bidding Lin Zhihua a final farewell.
This only worried Lin Sinian more.
Then, his father's lawyer arrived with a will.
Lin Zhihua had already transferred his assets to Lin Sinian years ago—this will was solely for his wife, Gu Xue Jiao.
"Madam Lin, Academician Gu." Even as a top-tier lawyer, his reverence for her remained unwavering.
Xue Jiao looked at him and asked softly, "What did... Zhihua say?"
The lawyer produced a document and replied gently, "This will outlines Mr. Lin's ten-year plan for your future."
He refused to let their love become a tragic tale of "ten years apart, living and dead, never thinking yet never forgetting." Even in death, he would continue cherishing Xue Jiao for many, many years.
"Mr. Lin said—'While I was alive, you had to accommodate me, unable to do many things. Now that I'm gone, I hope you'll try them all.'"
Tears streamed down Xue Jiao's face, yet a smile curved her lips.
"Give it to me," she said, reaching out to accept Lin Zhihua's ten-year arrangement for her.
This was Lin Zhihua's final gift to her.
The first year after Lin Zhihua's departure.
Xue Jiao stayed home with her great-grandchildren, resting and recuperating for a year.
That year, the renowned scientist Academician Gu closed her doors to visitors, refusing to see anyone.
The second year after Lin Zhihua's departure.
At 74, Academician Gu went to teach in remote areas. Thanks to Lin Zhihua's decades of care, her health was still robust enough for high-altitude regions and mountainous terrain.
Still, neither Lin Sinian nor the government felt at ease, assigning caretakers and doctors to accompany her.
For the next six years, Academician Gu traveled from place to place, bringing hope and attention wherever she went.
The seventh year after Lin Zhihua's departure.
At 80, Xue Jiao began delivering lectures worldwide—something she had never done before turning 73. Yet at 80, she went.
Africa, the Americas, prestigious universities—she visited every place she could.She never kept anything to herself, speaking her mind freely—her scientific research, her progress, she shared everything.
Academician Gu was renowned worldwide in the scientific community. Every time she spoke, people felt they had gained immensely.
As a result, wherever she went, countless researchers from around the globe would rush to hear her.
Nine years after Lin Zhihua's passing.
At 82, Academician Gu secluded herself to assist the nation's most advanced physics research team in developing radiation-related technology.
That year, the achievements were extraordinary.
That year, Xue Jiao received the highest honors from the state.
That year, she declined the top-tier medical team assigned to her by the government.
Ten years after Lin Zhihua's passing.
The renowned scientist Academician Gu passed away in the same hospital as her husband, Lin Zhihua, at the age of 83.
The nation mourned together, with universities across the country holding memorial events.
Thus, the life of Gu Xue Jiao came to a complete end.
Yet new children continued to be born, and one story after another unfolded on this blue planet.
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