CHINA: In-Laws Enraged By Man, His Aged Bride

SHANGHAI (Shanghai Daily), May 24, 2006: A couple in deep love has to live away from a home where the traditional in-laws are enraged by the unusual match: The husband, Yu Junzhi, is 34, and his wife Zhang Yao'e, 61. Her ex-husband, also Yu's friend, died in 2000. After that Yu often helped her farm the land and then they fell in love. Soon Zhang couldn't take care of herself after her foot was burned by boiling water. They lived across a river in Changshou, in Pingjiang County, Hunan Province. The news created a sensation around town, including their family members and relatives. Zhang's two daughters, already married, were unhappy. Yu's father was also enraged by the news. Zhang said she would "die together with Yu" whatever happens to them. Yu carried Zhang, who has recovered from the foot injury, to the county's Civil Affairs Bureau and got a marriage license in January. Yu's father, 62, kicked the couple out of his home. Yu made a meager living from a roadside shoe polishing stand in downtown Changshou. In May, he decided on a vagrant life, mainly to satisfy her wish to "see the world." Since May 16, Yu has carried his wife and personal belongings on his bike across Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces and back to Hunan. Yu's wish is that her foot injury is cured and his family accept the marriage. By Ji Mi Copyright © 2001-2005 Shanghai Daily Company