In December 1986, a remarkable game was held in the Chinese Go community, when Zhang Xuan, who was only 18 years old at the time, had just won the championship in the "Strait Cup" women's Go tournament, which could be described as the limelight. However, her opponent is a 10-year-old boy - Chang Hao.
At that time, although Zhang Xuan was young, he was already a very good chess player. Facing Chang Hao, who was only 10 years old, she didn't take him seriously at first. However, as the game deepened, Zhang Xuan gradually realized that this little boy was extraordinary.
Chang Hao is steady and clear-minded, no less than an adult chess player.
In the end, the game ended in a draw. Zhang Xuan looked at this immature-looking little boy in disbelief, and his heart was full of admiration. She didn't expect that a 10-year-old child could tie with herself, this talent is really amazing.
Since then, Zhang Xuan has begun to pay attention to Chang Hao. She took the initiative to guide Chang Hao's chess skills at the training site of the national junior team, giving him patient guidance and help. Zhang Xuan can see Chang Hao's eyes full of curiosity every time, and his love and dedication to Go.
For the young Chang Hao, Zhang Xuan's beautiful and powerful sister left a deep impression on him. He likes to listen to Zhang Xuan explain the chess game and study new tactics with her.
In his heart, he quietly buried his love for her.
No one could have imagined that this ordinary game would become a turning point in their lives. The gears of fate are quietly turning, laying the groundwork for their future fate. This unexpected encounter will evolve into a moving love story in the years to come.
In 1991, Zhang Xuan won the national individual women's exam, and she decided to go abroad to Japan to further her Go studies. Zhang Xuan left in a hurry, and didn't even say goodbye to her teammate Chang Hao.
Since then, the two of them haven't seen each other for five full years.
Although Chang Hao, who was still young, was heartbroken by Zhang Xuan's departure, he couldn't understand why this beautiful sister left without a word. However, fate is always full of surprises.
After years of hard work, in 1996, 20-year-old Chang Hao was selected to participate in the 10th China-Japan Go Tournament with his excellent chess skills. After arriving in Japan, Chang Hao was full of expectations to meet Zhang Xuan again, but the first few days of the competition never got his wish, and his heart was inevitably a little disappointed.
One day, Chang Hao was concentrating on the stage to play, when suddenly a familiar voice came from the court, shouting: "Chang Hao, come on!" When Chang Hao heard this voice, he seemed to be injected with a magical power, which instantly inspired his fighting spirit.
He fought hard and finally won the victory.
After the game, Chang Hao hurriedly looked for Zhang Xuan. I haven't seen him for five years, Chang Hao has grown from a young boy to a handsome young man, while Zhang Xuan is still beautiful and moving.
When the two met, they were both pleasantly surprised and had endless topics.
Since then, they have seen each other frequently. Sometimes they play chess, sometimes they walk the streets, sharing each other's experiences and growth over the years. In this strange country, they became each other's closest friends and dependents.
However, as the time spent together increased, Chang Hao found that his mind had changed. The beautiful sister who once guided him now occupies a special place in his heart.
He mustered up the courage to confess to Zhang Xuan, but was politely refused.
Zhang Xuan had conflicting emotions in her heart. She once experienced a failed marriage, coupled with the age gap between her and Chang Hao and the former teacher-student relationship, she felt very entangled.
She tried her best to convince herself that the feeling was wrong and should not have been generated.
It wasn't until an unexpected loss in 1997 that Zhang Xuan finally realized the true feelings in his heart. At that time, she was at the lowest stage, and it was a phone call from Chang Hao from across the ocean that gave her warmth and strength.
At that moment, Zhang Xuan finally understood that this former "little boy" had grown into a man worthy of being entrusted for life.
In a foreign land, the seeds of love quietly sprouted, giving this love relationship across time and space a moving prologue.
After the relationship between Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan was made public, a storm was set off in the Go world in an instant. The relationship between the sisters and brothers, who are 8 years apart, has suffered strong doubts and opposition from all sides.
The first to bear the brunt was the leaders of the chess academy, who were like exploding after hearing the news. However, they did not intervene rashly, for fear of affecting the state of the two players. After internal discussions, the leaders decided to talk to them individually.
They euphemistically said that falling in love now may affect many aspects, such as the attention of chess fans, the energy of both parties, etc., however, in the face of the persuasion of the leader, Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan both firmly stated that their relationship will not affect the game.
The media followed suit with extensive and in-depth interviews. Faced with layers of questions from the media, although the two had a headache, they still bravely admitted their relationship. This has undoubtedly sparked a heated discussion in society.
However, the biggest headache for the two is opposition from the family. In April 1998, Chang Hao's mother asked Zhang Xuan to meet at a coffee shop. At the beginning, Chang's mother expressed her gratitude to Zhang Xuan for taking care of Chang Hao all the time.
But then, Chang's mother said tactfully: "These are not love, you are all chess players, you will be very busy, and you may not be able to take care of your family after marriage" She hopes that her son can find a girl who is married for the first time, who is not so ambitious and can take care of Chang Hao.
Zhang Xuan's mother objected. As a university teacher, she believes that her daughter has had a failed marriage, and she should choose someone who is older, more stable and knows how to love people than her daughter.
She was worried that her daughter would have more hard time with Chang Hao, who was much younger than herself.
In addition to the opposition of the family, the outside world is talking one after another, endlessly. Some people pointed out that according to the seniority of the Go world, Zhang Xuan can even be regarded as Chang Hao's aunt, and the two are a whole generation apart.
But it wasn't long before they found a reason to continue. They believe that the opposition is now mainly due to concerns about their lack of ability and fear that falling in love will affect each other's development.
Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan decided to use practical actions to prove that they can not only be happy in love, but also go to the next level in their careers.
They firmly believe that as long as two people truly love each other and work together, the age gap is not a problem. In their eyes, they have advantages in each other that are worthy of appreciation, and they can attract each other and grow together.
In the face of many difficulties and obstacles, Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan chose to persevere. They decided to respond to all doubts with time and effort, proving that their love can stand the test.
In the face of overwhelming doubts, Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan were not defeated, but turned pressure into motivation for struggle. They are secretly determined to prove that their choice is correct with practical actions, and to prove that love will not only not affect their careers, but will become a help for them to move forward.
1997 was a major turning point for Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan. In this year, both of them were successfully promoted to eight-dan chess players. This achievement not only fully demonstrates their strength in the field of Go, but also sends a clear message to the outside world: love has not affected their career development.
Then, 1998 became another peak in Zhang Xuan's career. She finished second in the national individual competition and won the 5th Baohai Cup World Women's Championship.
These results are not only the best reward for her years of dedicated hard work, but also a powerful response to those who doubt that she will affect the form of the game because of love.
In 1999, Chang Hao's career reached a higher level, becoming a quadruple champion in one fell swoop, creating the pinnacle of his career. This achievement made him famous in the Go world, but also surprised those who had worried that his love would affect his performance.
Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan proved with their actions that two people who love each other together will not only not have a negative impact on each other's careers, but can inspire each other and make progress together. Their success is not only reflected in their personal achievements, but also in how they balance their relationship between love and career.
Whenever one of them performs well in a match, the other team always immediately sends a congratulations. They are aware of the pressures of each other's work and provide support and encouragement when they need it.
This mutually supportive relationship is the source of motivation for them to keep moving forward.
The love story of Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan broke people's inherent impression that "falling in love will affect the game". Their experience tells us that love and career are not opposite choices, but can complement each other, promote and enhance each other.
At this stage, they not only achieve outstanding results professionally, but also become more and more emotionally close. Their successful experience has laid a solid foundation for their upcoming life in the palace of marriage.
In February 1999, after many tests, 23-year-old Chang Hao and 31-year-old Zhang Xuan finally reached an important stage in their lives. They went hand in hand to the Civil Affairs Bureau and received their marriage certificates.
At this moment, they proved with practical actions that love can cross the age gap and overcome the world's vision.
Although their wedding was not carried out in a big way, it was full of warmth and happiness. They simply held a ceremony and then invited friends and family to dinner. Although it was not grand, it received sincere wishes from many chess players and friends, making this special day even more warm and moving.
Soon after, Chang Hao and Chang Yueming ushered in the crystallization of their love - the birth of their daughter Chang Yueming, this little life brought infinite joy to the whole family. Chang Hao named his daughter "Yueming", which means a happy tomorrow and expresses his beautiful expectations for the future life.
In order to facilitate the travel with his wife and daughter in his spare time, Chang Hao specially bought a "Bora" car. This car is not only a means of transportation for them, but also carries the laughter and laughter of their family.
When choosing the license plate number, Chang Hao deliberately chose a number full of love: CZM-212, among them, C represents Chang Hao, Z represents Zhang Xuan, M represents their daughter, and 212 is their wedding anniversary, which fully reflects Chang Hao's attention and cherishment to the family.
As a result, the love between Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan blossomed, and the two embarked on a new stage of life together and began a happy married life.
In the next 24 years, Chang Hao and Zhang Xuan's married life was plain and happy. They have proved with practical actions that sincere love can stand the test of time, and the age gap is not the key to hindering happiness.
In daily life, they have a warm tacit understanding. Zhang Xuan was in charge of cooking, while Chang Hao was responsible for washing the dishes. This simple division of labor makes them feel full of happiness.
In their free time, they like to read and write together, or take their daughter out for a ride in a Bora car that carries good memories.
After marriage, Zhang Xuan chose to focus on his family and gradually faded out of the professional arena. The most important thing to do every day is to wait with my daughter for my husband to come home. This decision was not forced, but a deliberate choice.
Zhang Xuan believes that the happiness of the family is more important than the victory or defeat in the professional arena.
Although Chang Hao is not a particularly romantic person, he will send a bouquet of flowers to Zhang Xuan on holidays, and he will always bring some cosmetics or perfume to his wife when he comes back from a business trip. These small actions made Zhang Xuan feel warm.
In Zhang Xuan's memory, they rarely quarreled. Only when there is an occasional mistake in a Go duel will they have an argument, but this does not affect the relationship between them, Chang Hao's composure and sanity form a perfect balance with Zhang Xuan's enthusiasm.
Over time, Chang Hao transformed from a front-line chess player to a manager of Go work, serving as the chairman of the Shanghai Yingchang Period Go Education Foundation. And Zhang Xuan, as always, she stood silently behind her husband and fully supported his career.