BEIJING: A policewoman in southern China has fulfilled the filial piety duty of her colleague for his parents for two decades since he died while saving people from drowning.
On Sept 4, 2006, Deng Wenguo, a police officer at the frontier inspection station in Dongguan, Guangdong province, lost his life when saving people from drowning in a reservoir. He was later recognised as a martyr by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Yangcheng Evening News reported.
Zhu Shuo, Deng’s colleague who got along well with him when he was alive, first saw his elderly, distraught parents when she was told to help deal with his funeral affairs.
At that moment, Zhu decided to take up Deng’s responsibility to take care of his parents from a long distance as she hoped to learn from his heroism, the report said.
Deng’s parents live in Yongzhou, central Hunan province. Since his death, Zhu has regularly sent them money on important traditional Chinese festivals, although she is not rich and lives a frugal life herself.
She often mails them daily necessities, sends them good wishes through the phone and assists them to cope with their difficulties just like their daughter.
Years ago, Zhu was in debt of one million yuan (US$150,000) after her father and her brother borrowed from her for the treatment of their diseases. But even in such a situation, she did not give up helping Deng’s parents.
It is estimated that the money and the essential materials Zhu gave Deng’s family were worth 150,000 yuan in total.
“She never halts subsidising us. It is not for one year, two years or several years, but 20 years!” Xie Qiaoyan, Deng’s mother, told the media.
“I am in my 70s. I do not remember many things, but I know she treats us very well,” she added.
Zhu met Deng’s parents in person for the first time in June. She travelled to Hunan, bringing her own daughter together, who had just finished sitting for the national university entrance exam. She did not visit them previously, fearing that her presence might reopen their grief.
“I am so glad to see you,” Xie said tearfully to Zhu during their emotional union at her home. “In the past I also wished to visit you, but I get car sick. I hated the thought of bringing trouble to you, too.”
According to Deng’s sister, her parents have gradually emerged from the shadow of losing her brother because of Zhu’s support.
“Zhu is like my sister. She often sends me messages, asking about my parents’ health condition,” said the sister.
“I have never met such a kind person. She is only a colleague of my brother, without any relationship with my family,” the sister added.
To express their gratitude, Deng’s parents often sent their handmade special local product, like cured meat, to Zhu.
Zhu’s current colleagues in Guangdong had not been aware of her selfless dedication to the Deng family until April this year, when Deng’s uncle wrote to the police station where she works.
Deng’s uncle wrote the letter on behalf of his parents since they are illiterate.
“Thank you for your two decades’ persistence and two decades’ filial piety to a family which you don’t have a blood relationship. We have lost our only son Deng Wenguo, but we have got a dutiful daughter Zhu Shuo. Our heart has been tremendously comforted,” the letter read.
Zhu’s colleagues said that besides the Deng family, she had also donated for the education of some poor children.
“I think I still have not done enough to help them,” Zhu replied to the compliment from the Deng family.
“My actions originally stemmed from a duty to care for a hero’s family, but over time, it became a habit. I just help them within my capacity, without ever expecting anything in return,” Zhu said. - South China Morning Post
