The story of a father having to dig his 2-year-old daughter’s grave with his own hands because she suffers from a terminal illness and won’t live long, and according to the father, so that the little girl can gradually adapt to the cold grave, has brought many people to tears.

On June 23rd, Zhang Liyong, 24, from Jiuzu Yan village (Neijiang town, Sichuan province, China), had to dig a grave for his 2-year-old daughter by himself.

Liyong had to do this because his daughter, Zhang Lei, was diagnosed with congenital anemia, and his family’s financial condition couldn’t afford treatment for her. Liyong explained that the purpose of digging the grave himself was to help his daughter gradually adapt to the cold, underground life, so that if the worst were to happen, she wouldn’t be too overwhelmed.

It is known that little Zhang Lei was diagnosed with congenital anemia when she was just 2 months old. Since then, Liyong’s family has spent all their money and resources on her treatment. Every month, the little girl has to go to the hospital for blood transfusions to stay alive.

To date, the total amount of hospital fees the Liyong family has spent exceeds 140,000 yuan (about 465 million VND), while Liyong’s worker salary is only 2,500 yuan (about 8.3 million VND), which is insufficient to continue paying for her treatment, even though Zhang Lei’s health continues to deteriorate.

Due to her weak immune system, little Lei also frequently suffers from other illnesses, and because of her constant sickness, no other children in the village play with her. When at home, Lei often plays with the puppy, talks to the ducks, or plays alone in the yard. During her free time, Liyong also takes his daughter out to play or go fishing.