Born in 1912, Qian Xiuling displayed exceptional academic prowess from a young age. Inspired by the achievements of Marie Curie, she departed China at the age of 17, earning a dual doctorate in physics and chemistry from the University of Louvain. During her time there, she courageously broke off an arranged engagement to marry Dr. Gregoire de Perlinghi, a physician of Greek-Russian descent. Their plans for a life in China were disrupted by the Japanese invasion, leading them to settle in Herbeumont, where World War II unfolded around them.