This Woman Took Part In A Stunning Photoshoot Five Years After A Horrific Revenge Attack

[HappyMaknae]

In September 2011, Zhou Yan was set on fire by an old classmate, Tao Rukun, after repeatedly rejecting his advances.

 

weibo.com / Via shanghaiist.com

The attack made headlines in China thanks to Tao’s father being a prominent civil servant. In 2012, Tao was sentenced to 12 years in prison. But the attack was followed by years of lengthy legal battles between the two families that were only resolved in March of this year.

Last week, Zhou shared a series of professional photos to her Weibo account, showing off her scars almost five years after the attack.

 

Luo Yang / Via weibo.com

 

Luo Yang / Via weibo.com

 

Luo Yang / Via weibo.com

 

Luo Yang / Via weibo.com

 

Luo Yang / Via weibo.com

 

Luo Yang / Via weibo.com

Along with the photos she shared a poem stating that she was looking forward to the future after her difficult past:

I live in this

Shell that i don’t recognize,

Living like i am 16 years old.

I can’t face 

This 21-year-old “Zhou Yanâ€

I’m still that girl who’s waiting for orange juice-flavored rain.

I always want to cry but am too afraid to cry out loud

Shh, the day is breaking

Everything is going to be fine.

You have to be the strongest child

To see the sun.

 

Other Weibo users commented on the photos, sending messages of support.

 

weibo.com

“Still beautiful. Live your life to the fullest everyday.â€

 

weibo.com

“Zhou Yan, you are 21 now. Hope everything is well.â€

Many commented that they had followed Zhou’s story since the beginning, and were happy to see her in a better place today.

 

weibo.com

†I remember reading the news all those years ago. To us, it’s just news, but to the people involved, it is their entire life.â€

 

weibo.com

“Sigh, this makes my heart ache. What a strong girl.â€

cr. here

 

[MangoTea]

  shes still beautiful though. She looks like krystal in the third photoshoot pic  

[90's Baby]

she looks like Krystal here

[valentinna]

she looks like Krystal here

 

i was about to say the same!

[Dovah Bitch]

These kind of attacks make me sick. Twelve years is not enough

[spicey babe]

He deserves more time. She's beautiful and honestly, it must be a hell for her, it's crazy what people are capable of do because they can't accept a no.

[victaorious]

That man deserves to be set on fire for this.

[Tokki the Awkward Potato]

She is still very beautiful.

[Kayou]

this is horrible, my heart aches..

I hope she can get the justice she deserve..

[shocking blue]

12 years in prison is not enough for a crime as horrible and cruel as this :/

That girl is tough as hell, anyway <3

[andreamyp]

What an amazingly brave and beautiful woman 

but what scare me the most is that the aggresor tried to kill her and only got 12 years.    China's justice system sucks

[ricesongs]

what a queen 

[Nestea Iced Tea]

People that hurt other people for not wanting to date them are the lowest lowlives of all.

 

She's a stong, beautiful woman.

[Queen's Mine]

†I remember reading the news all those years ago. To us, it’s just news, but to the people involved, it is their entire life.â€