The Heartbreaking Story of a Father Who Dug His 2-Year-Old Daughter’s Grave Touches Thousands Online.

The story of Zhang Liyong, a 24-year-old father from Jiuzu Yan village in Neijiang city, Sichuan province (China), has deeply moved thousands of people across social media. In a moment filled with sorrow and love, Zhang was seen digging a grave with his own hands — for his 2-year-old daughter.

His daughter, Zhang Lei, was diagnosed with congenital anemia when she was only two months old. Since then, she has relied on monthly blood transfusions to stay alive. Her parents have spent all their savings and resources on medical treatment, with the total cost exceeding 140,000 yuan (about 465 million Vietnamese dong). However, Zhang’s monthly salary of 2,500 yuan is nowhere near enough to continue the treatment.

With no money left, and watching his daughter’s health decline, Zhang made the heartbreaking decision to dig her grave himself. He said the idea was to help his daughter gradually become used to the coldness of the earth — just in case the worst happened.

One image captured the world’s attention: Zhang lying in the freshly dug grave, holding his daughter in silence. The photo quickly went viral on Chinese social media, sparking an outpouring of emotion, empathy, and support. Many said they cried while reading the story, touched by the father’s pain and unconditional love.

Little Lei not only suffers physically, but also faces loneliness. Due to her weak immune system, no children in the village play with her. At home, her companions are a puppy, a few ducks, and her toys in the yard. In his free time, Zhang tries to bring her moments of joy — taking her fishing or out to play.

According to her mother, Deng Min, there is still a small chance for Lei’s survival through a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately, neither parent is a match. So the couple decided to have another baby, hoping that the new child will be a compatible donor. The birth is expected on July 7th.

However, even if a match is found, the cost of preserving and transplanting the stem cells is around 12,000 yuan (about 40 million dong) — a sum the family simply cannot afford.

The story of the Zhang family has been widely shared online, with many people calling for donations and support to help save little Lei’s life. After learning about Zhang and his daughter, many netizens said the story brought them to tears and helped them appreciate their own families more.

This is not just a story of sadness. It is a story of deep love, sacrifice, and hope — a reminder of the strength of a parent’s heart and the power of humanity in the face of adversity.