A father in China has done the unthinkable and his story is heart-wrenching. Zhang Liyong, a farmer by profession, has dug a grave for his toddler daughter, diagnosed with a disease bound to take her away, in his attempt to ‘prepare her for death’. But 8 years later, a miracle happened. And let’s see how this girl is now

The Father Who Dug a Grave for His 2-Year-Old Daughter—And Sat There With Her, Waiting for the End

In a quiet village in China’s Sichuan province, a father named Zhang Liyong made a decision no parent should ever have to make.

With his hands in the dirt and tears in his eyes, he dug a grave—not out of choice, but out of desperation.

Not for a loved one already gone.

But for someone still living.

His 2-year-old daughter.

Her name is Zhang Xinlei.

She’s beautiful, innocent, and full of life. But inside her little body rages a deadly battle—one she never chose to fight.

A Disease Stealing Her Life, Day by Day

Xinlei suffers from thalassemia, a cruel and inherited blood disorder. Her body can’t produce enough hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the blood. Without it, she slowly suffocates from within.

Her condition was discovered when she was just 2 months old. From that moment on, her parents began a desperate race against time.

They poured everything they had—money, effort, hope—into keeping her alive.

Over the past two years, they spent more than $12,000 on treatments. They begged, borrowed, and pleaded with anyone who would help. But the money ran out. The options ran out. And now, the time is running out too.

A Father’s Love in the Face of Hopelessness

With no way to continue treatment, Zhang Liyong came up with an idea that sounds unthinkable—but was born out of unimaginable pain.

He began digging her grave.

But it wasn’t an act of surrender. It wasn’t an act of cruelty.

It was an act of love.

He takes her there daily. They play together beside the grave, the same way any parent would play with their child in a park.

But this grave isn’t just a hole in the ground—it’s a place she’s being gently introduced to. So she won’t be afraid. So she won’t feel alone when the time comes.

“We borrowed money from many, but they are no longer willing to lend us more. I could only come up with this idea—bringing her to play at this place.

This is where she will rest in peace. All I can do is accompany her every day,”

—Zhang told Daily Mail

Dreams Turned Into Dust

In a final act of hope, the parents thought about having another child, hoping the umbilical cord blood could be used in a life-saving transplant for Xinlei. But reality hit hard. Even if that miracle were possible, they couldn’t afford the procedure.

They’re now expecting a new baby—but not as a savior. Just as another child born into heartbreak.
And so, every day, Zhang walks his daughter to the little grave.

She smiles. She laughs.

She doesn’t know yet.

She doesn’t understand.

But her father does.

Miracle

The image was then accidentally recorded by a local resident and shared on social media. Immediately, the image went viral, bringing millions of people to tears.

“There is nothing more painful than watching your child die while you are helpless. The father lies with his child in the grave. It is the ultimate despair but also the greatest love,” a netizen shared, stirring up Chinese public opinion.

The shocking story prompted thousands of people to join hands to donate money to save the girl. In just one week, the amount of support exceeded 800,000 yuan.

A philanthropist (whose identity was not revealed) even declared that as long as the child survives, he will pay all treatment costs.

Miracle from the umbilical cord of the second baby

With financial support, Mr. Zhang and his wife decided to have another child. The couple carried the hope of using the umbilical cord blood of their second child to transplant bone marrow to save their sister.
Finally, the miracle really happened. In 2018, little Xinlei successfully received a bone marrow transplant from her younger brother’s umbilical cord blood and gradually recovered after the surgery.

3 months later, she recovered well and no longer needed regular blood transfusions.

In addition to the surgery costs, the family also received support from philanthropists and local authorities. This helped the small family’s life gradually stabilize.

From a little girl who seemed to have to say goodbye to life early, Xinlei is now a third-grade student. She is healthy, active, and has hobbies of dancing, singing, and painting. In some videos about her daughter, Mr. Zhang still receives many inquiries and encouragement from people following her growth process.

In the area where Mr. Zhang once dug a grave for his daughter, the family now plants sunflowers to replace it.

“When the flowers bloom, I will bring my children to see that this place is filled with hope and happiness,” Mr. Zhang choked up.