Man, 57, in China, who cryogenically froze wife, finds new love

A 57-year-old man in China, who cryogenically preserved his wife after she died in 2017, has started a new relationship with another woman.

The deceased was the first cryogenically preserved woman in China.

The emergence of the husband's new flame has sparked moral debate given that his wife is still in cold storage.

Lost wife to cancer in 2017

In 2017, Gui Junmin, a sports industry professional, lost his wife Zhan Wenlian, 48, to lung cancer.

South China Morning Post reported that he chose to freeze her in hopes that she would wake up if a cure for cancer was ever found, seeing it as the only way to avoid losing her.

After a severe gout attack that left him immobile for two days in 2020, Gui was introduced to his current partner Wang Chunxia.

He admitted that his choice to be with Wang was “utilitarian” in nature and though he insists Zhan is irreplaceable, he can no longer live without Wang.

Lung cancer had metastasised

According to The Paper CN, Gui and his late wife were junior high school classmates who built a life together from a small county town in Shandong, China.

Zhan, who had late-stage lung cancer, developed brain metastases in December 2016 and was rushed to the emergency room.

Doctors opened her skull to perform drainage surgery which lasted seven hours.

Gui said that after the surgery Zhan's condition deteriorated and her condition did not improve afterward.

As the doctors had no treatment plan, Zhan mainly relied on medication to stay alive, Gui said.

As Zhan was on her deathbed, Gui was approached by a doctor and came across human body cryogenics.

First person in China to undergo whole-body cryopreservation

Cryogenics is the science of using low temperatures either for treatment or preservation.

Gui discussed the technology with medical experts before seeking an answer from his wife.

However, Zhan's cancer had already spread to her brain.

She could neither express herself nor control her facial muscles.

Gui told her to squeeze his hand if she agreed to undergo cryogenic preservation.

"Of course she agreed," he said. "Otherwise she wouldn't have grabbed my hand."

His wife was declared "clinically dead" by doctors on May 8, 2017 after her heart stopped.

She immediately underwent a 55-hour procedure at Shandong's Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute to freeze her body.

Before she was placed in the cyrogenic tank to be preserved for 50 years, Gui took one last look at his wife who looked like she was asleep.

New partner is purely 'utilitarian'

Gui was firmly committed to staying single in the two years following the procedure, reported SCMP.

But in 2020, a severe gout attack rendered Gui unable to reach for his phone.

For two days he lay helpless until relatives broke down the door.

"If something really happens to a person when they are alone, there is nothing they can do. You could die at home and no one would even know."

He was later introduced to his current partner by a mutual friend.

At the time, Wang worked in insurance sales and initially viewed Gui as a high net worth client.

Gui expressed his worry about a gap in their life experiences and financial status, viewing himself as a well-travelled university graduate, financially stable and operating in respectable social circles.

Wang, on the other hand, came from a rural background, had dropped out of school in the seventh grade, worked in factories, did waitressing and later ran a hair salon.

Gui stated that their relationship is a complicated matter: “She has not entered my heart yet. I feel a sense of responsibility towards her, but this is a complicated matter.”

Moreover, Gui affirmed that his wife cannot be replaced.

“She can never replace my wife. I cannot just forget the past, but I still need to move on with life."

After undergoing coronary stent surgery, Gui became unsteady on his feet and now needs Wang's help to cross the street.

Online controversy

Many Chinese online users have accused Gui of being selfish and akin to roleplaying the part of a "grieving husband".

One commented: “Now he is holding one woman in his arms while hoping to reunite with another in 30 years. What is this: emotional polygamy?”

Many criticised his actions and treatment of Wang: “Gui might seem deeply devoted, but in reality, this is emotional detachment. His so-called love for Zhan is more like an obsession with playing the role of the ‘grieving husband’. Just look at how cold and distant he appears with his current partner."

However, Gui grapples with greater questions such as if he marries Wang, could it be considered bigamy in the future and how should his assets be handled if Zhan is revived.

But for now, Zhan slumbers in a -196°C cyrogenic tank filled with 2,000 litres of liquid nitrogen as Gui awaits her return.

Top photos from The Paper CN and Infzm.com