Cover image via 
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
A woman's incredible dedication to her daughter-in-law, who has been in a vegetative state for five years, is moving millions of people in China
Liu Zhenyan, a resident of Xinxiang in Henan, borrowed one million yuan (RM581,500) to cover her daughter-in-law's medical treatment.
According to South China Morning Post, the daughter-in-law, Yuanyuan, was severely injured after being struck by a car on 25 June 2020.
She suffered head trauma, facial injuries, and multiple bone fractures, and fell into a deep coma after a craniotomy.
Yuanyuan before her accident.
Image via DouyinThough Yuanyuan later regained a "glimmer of consciousness", she remains in a vegetative state, unable to move or feed herself
Liu never once considered giving up and has provided constant, hands-on care for the last five years.
During Yuanyuan's first year in hospital, Liu slept on a makeshift bed on the floor next to her daughter-in-law's bed every night. She patiently fed Yuanyuan, bathed her regularly, and carried her on her back to ensure she stayed mobile.
"I remember rushing to the hospital, and hearing Yuanyuan call me 'Mum' reaffirmed my belief that I had a responsibility to care for her, no matter how challenging the future might be," Liu recalled.
Liu and her daughter-in-law shared a close bond even before the accident
"She treated me like her mother, and I treated her like my daughter," Liu said, adding that this was a family tradition.
The immense struggle to secure loans for the medical bills was tough. Liu recently managed to fund a surgery to repair a section of Yuanyuan's skull, which was badly damaged.
"Since she could not move independently, I was her crutch. I did not know how long it would take for her to recover fully, but I was committed to taking care of her," Liu explained.
Liu's son, who has been married to Yuanyuan for 15 years, has also remained fully committed to his wife. The family's story went viral, with many praising Liu as a "wonderful mother-in-law".
