An old photo of Xing's grandparents, together with their two granddaughters, as printed on the cover of the book Listen to Granny Telling Stories [weibo.com]

A woman in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, sent a special gift to her 90-year old grandmaduring the recent Spring Festival.

The woman, whose online name is Xing Xing, sent her senior family member a book compiled from transcripts of casual talks that the pair have had over the past four years.

The unique gift was timed to coincide with the elderly lady's celebration of her 90th birthday, which took place during the recent break.

Titled Listen to Grandma Telling Stories, the book is rife with old photos showing all the family members from the grandparents to the youngest generation.

Xing's grandma raised five sons and a daughter, whilst Xing herself was the daughter of the grandma's eldest son. In her memory, the senior's home was always at its most interesting and lively during the festive period.

"Granny told us many stories when I was young. Some were her own experiences and some were folk stories," she said.

As she grew up, they spent more time apart. Since 2012, however, every time Xing spent a holiday with grandma, she would have a conversation and record it as an MP3.

"Every time I left, Grandma would walk with me to the door with tottering steps and see me off," wrote Xing on the cover of the book.

"Seeing her standing there alone, I felt reluctant to leave. I wish I could listen to her telling stories every day. I also wish that everyone can sit down and join me in talking with Granny about the past," she added.

Xing's grandmother was born in Wendeng, east China's Shandong Province. She was married to a soldier. The couple left home at a young age and settled in Zhoushan after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Xing's grandpa was a war hero awarded with a 2nd-class merit. He passed away while Xing was studying at university.

This memory was another reason for Xing to compile the book, because she wished to make up for her regret of not being able to meet her grandfather before he died.

Right now, her grandma is living a well-off life. Xing wishes to spend more time with her while she is alive. It is more valuable to care for the elderly when they are still around than to remember them after their death, she says.

A second-class merit awarded to Xing’s grandpa [weibo.com]

Xing's grandparents [weibo.com]

(Source: Xinhua/Translated and edited by Women of China)

Editor: Kate Wu（woman of China)