Woman, 27, marries man, 39, who saved her during China earthquake after crossing paths again

The devastating 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, China, resulted in nearly 70,000 deaths.

It also resulted in widespread destruction.

Rescuers pull girl out of rubble

One of the buildings that collapsed was a two-story residential block in Qingchuan county.

One of the men tasked with rescue operations was Liang Zhibin, who was 22 at the time.

Liang, along with other rescue personnel, had been digging for hours in the area.

One of the people he rescued that day was 10-year-old Liu Ximei.

They would lose contact over the years.

Chance encounter

However, a chance meeting in 2020 occurred when Liu, now 22, was having dinner with her parents.

Her mother pointed out the 34-year-old man's resemblance to the man who saved her life in 2008. Turns out it was the same man.

According to China Daily, this was the start of a serendipitous romance.

Liang said he initially felt the age gap was too much, but over time, their feelings changed.

Liu told local media that they had similar values and that their relationship gradually turned into romance.

In 2025, the couple tied the knot.

Despite the unexpected reunion in 2020, both are adamant that the initial rescue did not matter that much in their relationship.

Liang said that saving her was his duty back then, but that his love for her now was genuine, emphasising that both events are two different things.

Liu concurred, saying if it were just about gratitude, they would not be together.

She said: "It was during our time together that I gradually realised that he was someone I could trust with my life."

Marvelling at how fate works, Liang also had equally sweet things to say:

"I saved her life 17 years ago, and now she has become the light of my life."

Image from Chinese media