Hu Xue xian trims the toenails of his 98-year-old mother-in-law, Nie Junyun.
□ Reporter Tian Lin, Intern Guo He / Text and Photos
Xie Yanxin from Jiaozuo has moved hundreds of millions of Chinese people. In Kaifeng, there is also an elder like Xie Yanxin who has been taking care of his elderly mother-in-law for 20 years. This story has become a well-known legend in the area and set an example for the neighbors' children to follow. On August 27, I interviewed this Kaifeng version of "Xie Yanxin."
The Filial Son-in-Law Talks About His "Toenail Trimming Experience"
On the morning of August 27, I came to the Shi Family Courtyard in the Aerospace Community of Kaifeng City. When several elderly people cooling off heard that I was going to interview Hu Xue xian, they all gave him a thumbs up: "Old Hu's respect for the elderly in our courtyard can be compared to Xie Yanxin, and it can also move China!"
Then, I walked into Hu Xue xian's house. I saw Hu Xue xian wearing reading glasses, bending over, carefully trimming the toenails of his 98-year-old mother-in-law, Nie Junyun, who was sitting on the sofa. "My mother wrapped her feet when she was young, so the nails grow into the flesh. If not cut, it would be very painful for her to walk," Hu Xue xian pointed to the nail-cutting tools and said, "Trimming nails requires three steps: first use big scissors for rough cutting, then use small scissors for fine trimming, and finally use a regular nail clipper." "I'm done, Mom!" After half an hour, Hu Xue xian finished trimming the toenails, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Nie Junyun looked at her son-in-law and smiled, nodding her head. "My mother's hands and foot nails are all trimmed by Old Hu, who is more meticulous than me, her daughter." Hu's wife, Liang Meiling told the reporter, "People often say that a son-in-law is half a son, but Old Hu in our family is even more filial than a biological son."
In Winter, Buys Buns and Keeps Them Warm in His Bosom
Hu Xue xian is 56 years old this year. He used to work at the Kaifeng Enamel Factory, but after the company went bankrupt, he stayed at home idle. "I work at the Henan University Library, usually quite busy, and my health isn't good either, so I rarely take care of household matters," Liang Meiling recalled, "Twenty years ago, when our daughter was just over one year old, my mother began to gradually deteriorate in health, and Hu Xue xian didn't hesitate at all, shouldering the responsibility of taking care of my mother." "Every day, my mother gets up late, so Xue xian washes her face, dresses her, feeds her, and then I start preparing lunch. After she finishes eating, we arrange for her afternoon nap," Liang Meiling said, "Three years ago, Hu Xue xian bought a motorized tricycle to give rides, earning more than 300 yuan per month. However, after 4 PM, he stops giving rides, buys some vegetables, and comes home to cook for my mother."
"My mother eats simply and never tells me what she wants to eat," Liang Meiling said, "After I go to work, Elder Nie calls her son-in-law to tell him what she wants to eat. My mother never holds back with Old Hu, telling him about any needs she has, which makes me, as her daughter, feel ashamed."
In Liang Meiling's memory, Old Hu deeply moved her, "In winter, whether it's windy or snowy, Old Hu runs far to buy buns for my mother. Worried that the buns will get cold and taste bad, he always keeps them warm in his bosom. Even the boss of the bun shop was moved."
Once Mistaken for the Elderly Woman's Biological Son
Liang Meiling opened the bedroom door, and I saw two large beds inside: Nie Junyun slept on the bed near the entrance, while Hu Xue xian and his wife slept on the other. "The elderly woman uses the restroom more frequently at night. My mother has a small flashlight by her bedside. When she wants to use the restroom, she turns on the flashlight, and Old Hu helps her get out of bed to use the restroom, sometimes six or seven times a night. He rarely sleeps soundly. My mother has a leg disability, so if necessary, he carries her in and out, and he never complains about being tired."
"My mother is old, and she often loses control of her bladder and bowels. Old Hu always promptly changes her clothes and washes the dirty ones," Liang Meiling said. Hu Xue xian suffers from chronic gastric ulcers and has several flare-ups every year, enduring severe pain. He takes medicine to alleviate the pain and has never neglected taking care of the elderly woman.
Recently, due to heart failure, Nie Junyun was hospitalized for seven days. Hu Xue xian took care of her 24 hours a day. The patients in the ward thought he was the elderly woman's biological son. "Our family has six siblings, and I am the youngest. Four of my sisters live far away, and my brother in Kaifeng is already in his seventies. Old Hu didn't want my brother to come to the hospital and work hard, so he stepped up."
At the end of the interview, Ma Xue'e, the director of the Aerospace Community, said that Hu Xue xian had accomplished something extraordinary. "The community has initiated a publicity campaign to learn from him, encouraging all residents in the community to learn from his spirit."