I wonder if there exists a flower that blooms beautifully for a hundred years? Facing Grandma Yin Guizhen, I couldn’t help but liken her beauty to a radiant flower. I believe time’s accumulation creates a new kind of beauty in women.
That day, Grandma Yin Guizhen from East Xiang County Hospital’s residential compound heard someone was visiting. She happily walked from her room to the front gate, smiling and saying, “Wonderful! Someone came to visit me.” Her face, though lined with wrinkles, was still rosy and fair, lips thin but red, eyes bright and calm. Her neatly groomed brows, tidy white hair, well-fitted attire, and lively conversation gave her a transcendent grace. According to her fourth daughter, Wang Shuren, Grandma Yin was born on August 19, 1904, in Lulong County, Hebei Province. She is now exactly 100 years old. She once studied at a girls’ secondary school in Hebei and served as a private teacher. She raised three daughters and two sons. Now, her family spans four generations, totaling 50 descendants including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Grandma Yin has no bad habits—never smoked or drank alcohol. She maintains regular routines: wakes at 5:30 AM, sleeps at 8:30 PM, takes a two-hour nap at noon, and walks daily in the neighborhood. She enjoys quiet moments tending to flowers and plants, but also loves social gatherings. Educated and cultured, she loves reading newspapers and books. Her favorites include *China Traditional Medicine News*, *Family Doctor*, classical novels like *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and historical stories—she often shares them with her grandchildren. She stays informed about national affairs, reading party newspapers daily. She still reads *People’s Daily* and *Jiangxi Daily*, watches TV, and keeps pace with current events. Her mind remains sharp and modern.
She eats without strong preferences—chicken, duck, fish, meat, and various vegetables all appeal to her. Temperature doesn’t matter—she especially likes milk, fruits, and egg cakes. But she eats regularly and in moderation, always stopping at 80% full, chewing slowly, never overeating. She prefers light meals and avoids spicy foods.
Grandma Yin loves cleanliness and appearance. Besides keeping her home spotless, she often cleans the community’s shared spaces. She still brushes her hair and applies makeup daily. In spring, summer, and autumn, she bathes every two to three days; in winter, once a week. She’s never had major illnesses. Minor ailments resolve within a day or two with medication. Two years ago, hearing slightly declined, but she remains sharp-eyed, agile, and nimble. Most astonishing is her excellent memory and quick thinking. When discussing life, philosophy, or society, she speaks eloquently—wisdom distilled from experience, like aged wine, deeply aromatic.
According to her own account and family reports, the main reasons for her vibrant centenarian life are:
1. Excellent living environment. Her home is surrounded by trees, clean air, low pollution, and minimal noise. She loves gardening, planting vegetables and trees—her home is lush with greenery, and outside, green grass blankets the surroundings.
2. Excellent lifestyle habits. Born into poverty, she learned early responsibility—able to wash clothes at age 5, cook at 9. Known for skillfulness and diligence, she still cooks, washes clothes, and cleans at age 100.
3. Positive mindset. She is gentle, optimistic, empathetic, and helpful. She often tells her grandchildren: “Never do anything unjust. Be upright, honest, kind to others, do good deeds, and help people—because helping others brings happiness, and makes you happy too.” For 100 years, she’s never quarreled with neighbors. As the eldest, she commands great respect. Everyone, regardless of age or status, calls her “Grandma.” Whenever there’s a celebration, she’s the first invited.
The greatest source of pride for Grandma Yin is that times have improved, and her descendants have grown. In her large family, one person holds a deputy provincial-level position, one is a PhD, three are master’s degree holders, and 15 have achieved senior professional titles across various fields. Her descendants mostly work in medicine and education, located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and even in the US and UK.
Due to her wise upbringing, her descendants are very filial, competing to care for her. They attend to her meticulously. During holidays, they bring gifts, check on her, and enjoy family warmth.
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