Source: OT-Team(G), 四羊, 纵览新闻
"I will never graduate from loving you."
On January 25, a video began circulating online featuring 82-year-old Zhang Xiaoqiu, a retired Chinese language teacher from Ma'anshan, Anhui Province, who was invited to take on an unusual challenge: to write a mock college entrance exam essay titled "The Final Lesson Before Graduation." The video quickly gained extraordinary traction, receiving nearly 20 million likes.
In the piece, Zhang recounts more than two decades of rescuing over 300 stray animals after retirement. She describes the animals as "the class of students I have taught the longest—and worry about the most." The essay, which she regards as her "life testament," quickly went viral, drawing over 10 million likes within two days.
A Life After the Classroom
According to the video's creator, Zhang was told there would be a "surprise" if she completed the essay. While she was writing, the blogger walked around her rented courtyard and found blankets hung out to dry for dogs to keep warm. The air conditioner and electric heaters were broken. The simple shelter housing hundreds of cats and dogs revealed hardships Zhang had never spoken about.
As Zhang wrote, the blogger quietly placed 20,000 yuan (about USD 2,800) in donated funds on a cabinet. Two and a half hours later, she finished her essay. The blogger then accompanied her to repay debts accumulated over the years for rescuing and treating stray animals. During this time, a home appliance company delivered and installed new household appliances as part of the "surprise."
Zhang had previously told the blogger she dislikes borrowing money, but had no choice for the sake of the animals. Her repayments, often in small amounts of 100 or 200 yuan at a time, reflected ongoing financial strain. Even on the day of repayment, a pet hospital called to press for outstanding fees.
On the way to settle debts, the blogger began reading Zhang's essay.
The Essay
"That young man came to see me again. He said he had a gift for me, but on one condition—I had to write an essay. I haven't picked up a pen in many years, but today I will write my 'Final Lesson Before Graduation.'
My name is Xiaoqiu. I am a retired primary school Chinese teacher. In the first half of my life, I taught and nurtured children, giving them their first lessons in learning. In the classroom of books, I often glimpsed the true meaning of life.
Shortly after retiring, by chance, I took in a stray kitten. From that moment, the road of rescuing these furry children became one from which there was no turning back. In life's classroom, I have been learning for 82 years.
When I was young, I imagined how I would spend my old age—traveling, helping my daughter with her children, dancing in the park. I never expected that in the end, I would rent a courtyard and raise a group of babbling little ones. At first, I thought my pension would be enough to support them, but now I owe quite a lot of money. Perhaps this courtyard is my final classroom before graduation.
What should be taught in the last lesson of the last classroom? Maybe it's time to talk about how to say goodbye. I have had many students in my life, but these furry children are the class I have taught the longest and worry about the most. I remember clearly how each of them looked when I first saw them—shivering by the roadside, drenched in the rain, covered in blood. Bringing them home one by one was the decision I have never regretted. I am saddened by parting from them. The only thing I can do is take this opportunity to leave a will for my daughter.
I consulted some professionals. According to current standards, after 36 years of teaching, my funeral subsidy and pension compensation after I'm gone will be about 60,000 to 70,000 yuan. I ask my daughters to keep my funeral as simple as possible and leave all the remaining money to the furry children at the shelter, to ease the severe funding shortage after I graduate. I believe my daughters will understand their mother.
How much longer can I stay with them? I've imagined it many times. I don't know which day will be the unannounced intermission. Perhaps that day will be the graduation ceremony for these 300-plus furry children. I will leave this great school of the human world early, while their eternal lessons are still unfinished. Please keep learning—learn to trust. After losing my embrace, continue to trust the next pair of hands that reaches out.
As for loving you—I will never graduate."
Financial Reality Behind the Gesture
The 20,000 yuan was reportedly raised by the appliance company as a charitable donation, with the blogger pledging to contribute an equal amount. The blogger later added that he would also help cover ongoing utility expenses. Even so, the financial pressure remains heavy: Zhang must still pay annual rent for the courtyard, and monthly water and electricity bills are a significant burden.
At the end of the video, the blogger reflects that Zhang has given the animals "season after season" during 27 years of retirement. "She protected the cats and dogs—who will protect her? Maybe… we should."
Verification and Local Response
A photo shown in the video identified Zhang Xiaoqiu as affiliated with Ma'anshan Normal University Affiliated Primary School. On January 27, the Huashan District Education Bureau in Ma'anshan said it had noticed the online video but could not immediately verify details due to her long retirement; the school itself is currently undergoing restructuring.
Further reporting confirmed that Zhang's animal rescue base is located in a village in Huashan District. The village Party secretary, surnamed Chen, said Zhang is not a local resident but rents space there to house stray animals. He estimates she currently cares for one to two hundred cats and dogs. The base has existed for at least two to three years, in a relatively remote and basic setting.
"She seems kind and keeps a low profile," Chen said, adding that he only learned she had been a retired language teacher after seeing the video. Of the essay, he commented, "It's very moving. It also shows how difficult things have been for her."
A local pet clinic that has treated animals from Zhang's shelter said it began providing services about two years ago. Due to her age, Zhang often had others transport the animals. The clinic offered discounted fees, aware of her situation. She previously owed about 2,000 yuan in medical bills, which were reportedly paid off by someone on her behalf several days ago.
Online, many commenters have shared their reactions. One widely liked remark reads: "It's not a model answer for a perfect score, but it writes out the most precious kindness in the world."