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In 1979, Liu Shuhai married a woman who worked at a fishery company in Beijing. The storage rooms were kept frozen at -40ºC, and she frequently walked in and out of them.
The rapid temperature changes all day long did no good to her body – and it was especially bad during the summer, when she was well-exposed to the two extremes of temperature.
She grew sicker, developing a case of bronchitis, often coming down with a cold and cough. Over the years of Liu's marriage, he persisted in keeping her alive, sending her to hospitals in his spare time, working overtime to make up for the days he was missing. She was often hospitalized two or three times a year, sometimes as many as five or six.
Liu ordered injection shots through the mail and administered them at home. When her body worsened, he bought oxygen tanks by the dozen to keep her on life support, along with a wheelchair for her. Every day, he would get up early to prepare meals for the day, and then rush to work.
But her condition worsened – and the little son they had was often out of parental control. One night, as Liu sped for the hospital with his wife, their son knocked his head on the kitchen table and fell with a bleeding wound.
Liu took care of her for 14 years. He was a faithful and loving husband, but her body had taken too much damage to recover. Before she passed away at the age of 38, she asked him to continue taking care of her parents and her child.
He remarried after her passing, and brought the topic up with his newlywed. "We should," she said, nodding.
They visited his late wife's parents in the mountains. Liu kept his promises to the end, despite taking on a new wife. Remarrying did not mean starting over for him.
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Liu and his wife visit every holiday, making sure to offer the best care they can manage. [Photo/bjby.bjwmb.gov.cn] |
In the years that followed, totaling over a decade, Liu and his new wife helped the elderly couple with their laundry, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. When they were sick and hospitalized, the two sat by their bedside, waiting for them to get better. Liu stayed even when there were other visiting relatives: “They're respecting their share of filial piety, but I have my part too.”
They cared for them like this until they, too, finally passed away.
But Liu's kindness and loyalty doesn't only extend to his vows. In 2003, he began looking after an elderly couple in their eighties. They were childless, lonely, and their health, too, was deteriorating. Every few days, Liu would visit them, talk with them, even paying for their phone and cable TV. Even though he was somewhat tight on money, he would insist on paying for their utility bills as well.
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Liu buys new clothes for the elderly couple every Chinese New Year. [Photo by Pan Jun] |
Liu has lived in his village for most of his life, and has helped over 30 families in the neighborhood. He does so without hesitation, without expecting any rewards at the end.
In a rural setting, not every family has a drivable car. Liu often lends his van out to the villagers; apart from personal usage, ferrying his son to and from school, his neighbors can use it free of charge.
In the following years, Liu has used it countless times to bring people to and from Beijing.
Once in 2008, a 10-year-old boy fell and hurt himself badly. His father ran straight to Liu, who, without saying a word, took the boy and rushed straight for the hospital in Beijing.
In a similar situation in 2009, a villager broke his leg. Liu was the automatic go-to person for help, and when he picked up the phone call, he just grabbed some money and ran for the van immediately.
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Liu often delivers things for elderly villagers who have trouble on their own. [Photo by Pan Jun] |
In all the rushes and happenings of the village, no one can ever count how many times Liu has dropped everything and run for the sake of another person.
For everything he contributes to the village, Liu doesn't have much himself. Both he and his wife are retired now, so apart from managing a few acres of farmland, they only receive a 4,000 yuan ($645) pension every month. It's not an easy life, but it's livable.
Liu has been suffering from diabetes for 20 years. His doctor recommended him to run a blood check once or twice a month. Despite the hundreds and thousands he selflessly grants for his villagers, Liu firmly refused to comply.
Each test only costs 8 yuan.
Liu's soul and dedication has touched the lives of all his villagers. He doesn't see things in black and white, payment and repayment. In his eyes, there is only the kindness of the heart, no matter whom he is helping.
Edited by Wang Zili
