As the sun dipped below the horizon one evening, an elderly woman with silver hair made her way to a castle villa nestled in Kuliang, a suburb of Fuzhou city in Fujian province. She was there to "zhuancuo"(a term from the Fuzhou dialect that means to return home), just as she had done countless times in her childhood. Her "family" had prepared dinner, eagerly awaiting her arrival at the table.

Gail Harris, a member of the "Kuliang Friends", is heading to the castle villa where she lived as a child. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

The elderly woman is Gail Harris, a member of the "Kuliang Friends". Until the age of seven, Gail spent every summer in Kuliang with her family, staying in this very castle villa.

"This is my grandfather, Harry Caldwell", she said, pointing to a photo on a wall inside the villa that showcased the Caldwell family legacy. "He was a renowned hunter in Kuliang."

The photo, along with a host of others on the wall, is simply a gateway to Gail's treasured past.

Elyn MacInnis (left) and Gail Harris, members of the "Kuliang Friends", look at family photos. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

Gail's parents, both born in China, found love and built a life together here. After marrying, they worked at the Anglo-Chinese College (Yinghua Zhongxue, 英华中学) in Fuzhou. In 1941, Gail and her childhood friend Li Yiying were born on the same day. In honor of the college, the parents bestowed upon their daughters the names "Ying" (英) and "Hua" (华). The two girls became inseparable during their summers in Kuliang, playing together and chatting in the Fuzhou dialect.

In June this year, the two friends reunited in Kuliang for the fifth time. They appeared as close as ever they were in childhood, reminiscing and laughing together.

Li Yiying (left) and Gail Harris meet in Kuliang. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

Gail's childhood in Kuliang was filled with joy — swimming and climbing trees, playing tennis, camping, and going for picnics. These experiences became some of her most cherished memories. During this reunion, Li Yiying also brought along her great-grandchild, Baiyun.

"My husband also teaches at the old Anglo-Chinese College, which is now the Affiliated High School of Fujian Normal University", said Baiyun.

As witnesses and inheritors of the Kuliang bond, she believes that the friendship between the two families will continue to flourish, like the ancient cryptomeria trees on Kuliang.

Gail's most cherished moments were those spent in the castle villa, now transformed into the "Liangxi Courtyard", a bed-and-breakfast lodge. This revitalized space had become a haven for visitors seeking the charm of Kuliang, offering dining, afternoon tea and a cozy place to rest.

For Zheng Xiaoxia, the current host of the Liangxi Courtyard, this is not just a business; it was her home, a place steeped in her own childhood memories alongside her mother. Her grandparents had served as housekeepers for Harry Caldwell, and through a twist of fate, they became the villa's owners, weaving their own story into its history.

Zheng Xiaoxia (left) is joined by Gail Harris (center). [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

As Gail returned to the villa, Zheng welcomed her with open arms. To honor Gail's homecoming, she prepared a family feast, including Gail's most beloved dish: sweet and sour pork with lychee, a flavor that transported Gail back to her childhood.

The castle villa, a silent witness to a century of joy and friendship, continues to narrate the enduring story of Kuliang's bond. Zheng Xiaoxia, like Gail, is committed to preserving this legacy, ensuring that the spirit of Kuliang lives on through the generations.