The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple’s home for the last 50 years. Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin. - Mahdi Ebrahimi from Bookmarklet

Awww. He looks like Mr. Magoo! Adorable. - Admiral Anika

That's sweet - Ian May

Anika:yes he looks like Mr Magoo!! i really appreciate this man. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

Lan: this story is really sweet and lovely <3 - Mahdi Ebrahimi

In a twist worthy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

wow, what a neat story!! - Susan Beebe

Susan: this story is really neat and lovely. i read it many time. when i read this story it change my feeling. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

In the beginning, life was harsh as hey had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, ‘Are you regretful? Liu always replied, ‘As long as we are industrious, life will improve.’ - Mahdi Ebrahimi

In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily. Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, ‘My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother’s convenience, although she doesn’t go down the mountain that much.’ - Mahdi Ebrahimi

The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife’s hand even after he had passed away. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

amazing story, what resilience and utter devotion. lovely - Cindy Gan

‘You promised me you’ll take care of me, you’ll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?’ Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband’s black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks. In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China, collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

Aaw. Shame it ended on such a sad note. - Tyson Key

Aw how sweet <3 - Carmen

i heard this story several weeks ago. - eljayblue

I read this...pretty amazing. Now THATS love. - Adriana

Tyson: this is a real story and the end of everybody's story is sad. :( - Mahdi Ebrahimi

Adriana: when i read this story i feel love - Mahdi Ebrahimi

Wow! I remember this from some time ago. - Mathew™ one of a kind

Carmen: this love is so sweet. - Mahdi Ebrahimi

Mathew: this story is old but lovely <3 - Mahdi Ebrahimi