In the intricate tapestry of human relationships, whether love results from mere coincidence or a predetermined fate has intrigued philosophers, scientists, and romantics alike. As we navigate our lives, we encounter countless individuals — some leaving an indelible mark on our hearts, while others fade into the background, seemingly without purpose.
Researchers have recently delved into the science of compatibility. Yet, amid the findings, ancient wisdom persists, suggesting that our connections may be woven together by unseen threads, guiding us toward those we are destined to meet.
Modern research on compatibility
Recent studies exploring mate selection have uncovered some intriguing findings: Individuals are likelier to choose partners with similar genetic traits. This research reveals that spouses exhibit a higher degree of genetic similarity than two randomly paired individuals from the general population.
In their analysis, scientists examined the genetic data of 800 married couples and 800 randomly selected pairs. They found that the genetic similarity between spouses is significantly more remarkable than among strangers.
Researchers believe this phenomenon may partially be explained by the fact that people tend to marry those who live nearby or belong to the same ethnic group. However, the data suggests that people might be subconsciously drawn to partners with similar genetic makeup.
Why do some people pass by us without leaving a trace while others become our closest friends or life partners? Is it just coincidence, or could there be a force beyond human understanding at work?
An ancient tale of destiny
These modern love studies echo ancient tales. Li Fuyan tells one such story from the Tang Dynasty in Xu Xuan Guai Lu.
During the Tang Dynasty, a man named Wei Gu lived there. One evening, while wandering through the streets of Song City, he saw an elderly man sitting on the ground reading a large, thick book under the moonlight. Beside him was a bag filled with red strings.
Curious, Wei Gu approached and asked: “Old man, what book are you reading?” The old man replied, “This is the book that records all the marriages in the world.”
Intrigued, Wei Gu asked: “What are the red strings in your bag for?” The old man smiled and said: “These red strings are used to tie the feet of destined couples. Whether they are enemies or live far apart, they will surely marry once I tie their feet with this string.”
However, being practical-minded, Wei Gu found his claim hard to believe. As the two men walked through the market, they passed a blind woman carrying a 3-year-old girl. The old man pointed to the child and said: “That little girl will be your future wife.” Enraged at the absurdity of the idea, Wei Gu ordered his servant to kill the child. The servant ran ahead, stabbing the girl before fleeing the scene.
Time passed, and 14 years later, Wei Gu encountered a young lady he wished to marry. She was the daughter of Wang Tai, a high-ranking official, and strikingly beautiful, save for a noticeable scar on her forehead. Curiosity prompted Wei Gu to inquire about the scar’s origin from his future father-in-law.
Wang Tai explained: “It’s a long story. Fourteen years ago, in Song City, my daughter’s nanny was carrying her through the market when a madman stabbed her for no reason. Fortunately, she survived, but the wound left this scar.”
Shocked, Wei Gu asked: “Was the nanny a blind woman?” Wang Tai was astonished. “Yes, but how did you know?” Wei Gu was speechless; the little girl he had almost killed was now to be his wife. He confessed the whole story to his father-in-law, realizing that the Old Man’s words had been valid all along.
A fateful reunion
They say that destiny weaves the threads of love and that some connections are meant to be. It’s often said that relationships are written in the stars and that an invisible red string ties two souls together.
Caiyun had always been an outstanding student — brilliant in every way. But being petite and with darker skin, she never had a boyfriend. After graduating, she started working at a major company. She was in her twenties, and her parents pressured her to go on blind dates. She resisted but eventually gave in, agreeing to her first arranged meeting. Deep down, though, she always remembered a boy she had met at a school social years ago. His name was Wenbin, and though he was interested in her best friend at the time, she had never forgotten him. After graduation, they lost touch.
When Caiyun arrived at the restaurant for the blind date, to her surprise, it was Wenbin, the boy she had been fond of. Both of them were shy, but since they were old acquaintances, they quickly found interesting common ground. As they were about to part ways, rather than asking her for another date, Wenbin jokingly said: “Life is so strange. If we happen to meet again on a blind date 10 years later, maybe we should consider getting married!” With a sorrowful feeling of disappointment, Caiyun watched him leave.
As the years passed, Caiyun went on several more blind dates, none of which led anywhere. Meanwhile, her career flourished, and she rose to a supervisory position.
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye, and this time, her boss pushed her to go on a blind date. He introduced her to a distant nephew — someone picky about finding the right match, which explained why he was still unmarried. Without consulting her, he set up a meeting at a restaurant. When she learned of the arrangement, she reluctantly agreed to go, only to find that her blind date was once again Wenbin!
The two were stunned. How could it be possible to meet like this again? This time, Caiyun took the initiative and asked Wenbin for another date, to which he readily agreed. Six months later, they were married in a beautiful ceremony. Their love story unfolded like a script written long ago — a testament to the mysterious workings of fate. After years of waiting, it felt as though destiny had predetermined their connection.
These tales remind us that connections can transcend time and circumstance, suggesting that forces beyond our understanding influence our paths. Ultimately, they affirm that our relationships are often destined to bloom at just the right moment.
Translated by Katy Liu and edited by Tatiana Denning
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