In 2008, a phone call shattered Song Yang's life, and his old British friend Hans fell ill and was in critical condition.
19-year-old Song Yang went abroad to study, and because of a wrong direction, he met Hans. Hans is from Switzerland, has no children and no daughters, and decides to provide Song Yang with a place to live for 8 years.
The years are like flowing water, and when Song Yang decided to return to China for development, the two were reluctant.
After receiving the call, Song Yang heard about Hans's illness and decided to take Hans to China, take care of Hans himself, and let him spend his old age here.
After Hans came to China, he lived in Song Yang's house and was carefully cared for by Song Yang. Song Yang also took Hans to many places in China, so that Hans was happy in his last days.
Hans ended his life peacefully, leaving behind a deep sense of gratitude and love for Song Yang.
Initial treatment
In England in 1999, the winter wind in London was biting. At this time, London's economy was steadily recovering.
A 19-year-old young man from Henan, Song Yang, with excitement and anticipation, crossed the ocean alone to this bustling city.
He came here for one purpose – to continue his studies. But the distance of dreams is always fraught with realistic challenges. The high cost of accommodation was the first thing he had to face.
Due to the limited family conditions, Song Yang chose to share a small house on the outskirts of the city with several other international students. The house is small and old, and the winter cold is hard to resist.
Every night, Song Yang had to sleep on the hard floor, with only a thin layer of cushions separating the cold floor. After sleeping for a long time, back pain has become his daily routine.
The school was far away from where he lived, and the daily commute became another burden for him.
In order to save on transportation costs, Song Yang often chooses to walk a long distance to the subway station, and then take the subway to the university. In an unfamiliar city in London, he felt frustrated by language barriers and cultural differences.
One day, after finishing his heavy studies, Song Yang went to the subway station to go home. Unfamiliar with the subway line, he took the wrong train and headed in the opposite direction to his home.
When he found out that he had taken the wrong seat, the subway was about to close. On a cold night, he had to get off the train and stand in an unfamiliar subway station, confused and helpless.
At this moment, an old man walked slowly towards him. The gray-haired, shabby coat and a bag of things in his hand, apparently returning from shopping at a nearby supermarket.
The old man's gait faltered and looked very difficult, but he still had a smile on his face. The old man's name was Hans and he was a Swiss who had lived in London for many years and lived alone on the other side of the city.
Hans saw that Song Yang was obviously lost, so he took the initiative to talk to him and ask him if he needed help. Song Yang tried his best to explain his predicament in simple and stiff English.
After hearing this, Hans didn't say anything, just motioned for Song Yang to go with him.
Hans led Song Yang to his home, the road was not far away, but it was enough for Song Yang to feel a touch of warmth from a stranger.
Hans's home is a small apartment, with old furniture, but clean and tidy. He warmly invited Song Yang in the door, handed him a cup of hot tea, and let him rest on the sofa.
That night, Hans prepared a simple dinner for Song Yang, and the hot food made him feel more delighted.
After the meal, Hans insisted that Song Yang stay overnight and find his way back the next day. Song Yang was deeply touched by his generosity and selfless help.
The next morning, Hans sent Song Yang back to the subway station and explained in detail how to take the subway correctly. Before parting, Hans left Song Yang a phone number, telling him that if he had any more difficulties, he could contact him at any time.
This unexpected encounter made Song Yang feel a very rare human touch in a foreign country.
Hans's selfless care also left a deep impression on Song Yang's heart, which became the beginning of their deep friendship later.
invite
Their interactions gradually became more frequent, and Hans's home became a warm haven for Song Yang in a foreign land, Song Yang thought that this was a divine arrangement, and Song Yang's gratitude to Hans gradually turned into friendship.
A few weeks later, Song Yang visited Hans's apartment again.
The old man specially prepared a sumptuous dinner for Song Yang that day, including traditional Swiss cuisine and some Chinese dishes, trying to integrate the cultural backgrounds of the two.
After the meal, Hans showed Song Yang some of his collection – old books and old music records.
The two opened up the topic, so Song Yang complained that because the conditions of the house he rented were too bad, he often got sick.
Hans was very worried when he heard this, so he made a proposal: invite Song Yang to move in with him, not only to save rent, but also to take care of each other.
Song Yang accepted the offer after hesitating for a few minutes, because he knew the pressure of life in London, felt Hans's sincerity, and Song Yang could take care of Hans on weekdays, which was a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Soon after, Song Yang moved into Hans's apartment, and the two began to help each other live together.
Song Yang took care of some of the household chores, while Hans taught him English and some life skills. With Hans's help, Song Yang's English improved rapidly, and he became more and more successful in his studies.
The rhythm of their lives gradually harmonized. Every morning, Song Yang would prepare breakfast for the two of them, and Hans had a habit of reading the newspaper and occasionally sharing some interesting news or articles.
In the evenings, they would go for a walk or watch TV together and discuss various topics.
A year later, Hans's health began to deteriorate, his leg pain intensified, and mobility became difficult.
In addition to studying, Song Yang began to take on more family responsibilities, such as accompanying Hans to the hospital for check-ups and buying medicines. Despite the health challenges, Hans remained optimistic and impressed Song Yang with his strength and perseverance.
One day, while the two were walking together by the Thames, Hans suddenly stopped and told Song Yang that his doctor had found a tumor in his leg that might require surgery.
Song Yang immediately said that he would do his best to help Hans. Over the next few months, Song Yang will not only have to keep busy with his studies, but also take care of Hans.
As Song Yang nears the end of his studies, he must make a decision: whether to stay in London to work or return to China.
By this time, Hans's condition had improved, but he still needed long-term care.
After a long talk, Hans encouraged Song Yang to return to China and not sacrifice his future because of his health problems. The final decision was made, and Song Yang was ready to return to China. In the farewell at the airport, the two hugged tightly.
As Song Yang's plane took off, Hans stood on the observation deck and watched his young friend fly off into the distance, his heart filled with gratitude and blessings.
A new path for the ancient road
The moment Song Yang's plane disappeared into the blue sky, Hans slowly left the observation deck of the airport with heavy steps.
He returned to the apartment, and after Song Yang left, there was a noticeable decrease in order and cleanliness in the room, as Hans's mobility difficulties made it difficult for him to maintain his old standard of living.
Without Song Yang's care, Hans's health problems gradually worsened. His leg pain could not be effectively controlled, and his life became more and more difficult.
Despite this, Hans did his best to keep his daily routine running normally, occasionally keeping in touch with Song Yang on the phone to update each other's lives and health.
A few months later, on a winter morning, Hans fell while trying to get up from his bed and was unable to get up on his own. He struggled alone on the floor for hours until his neighbor heard his cries for help and called an ambulance.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed that the tumor in his leg had worsened and required immediate surgery.
After the surgery, Hans's recovery was difficult and slow. He requires regular physiotherapy and professional care, which is a huge financial and physical burden for him.
At this stage, Hans faced these challenges alone, as he had no family to support.
Meanwhile, Song Yang managed to find a job in China, but his busy work schedule was mixed with worries about Hans.
During an evening phone conversation, Song Yang learned about Hans's surgery and recovery. Hearing about his old friend's difficulties, Song Yang decided to take Hans to live in China so that he could take better care of him.
After months of preparation, including communication with medical and immigration agencies in China and the UK, Song Yang finally arranged a trip to China for Hans.
He personally returned to England and accompanied Hans on a plane back to China.
In China, Song Yang placed Hans in his home and hired professional nurses to take care of him.
Hans's life in China gradually stabilized. He often attended the gatherings of Song Yang's family and established friendly relations with Song Yang's family.
Despite the language barrier, the interaction between Hans and Song Yang's family was filled with warmth and laughter.
A few years later, Hans's health improved dramatically, but he was too old to escape his illness.
Hans lived his last days happily ever after, and Hans died in his sleep.
His death brought grief to Song Yang and his family, who had come to regard Hans as their own family through the past few months of spending time with Hans, and they were grateful for the days they had been able to spend with each other in the past few years.
Hans's funeral was held in China and was conducted according to Chinese customs. Song Yang told the story of Hans at the funeral, expressing deep respect and gratitude for the old friend.
Hans may be gone, but the memories he left in the hearts of Song Yang and his family will live on forever.
epilogue
From a chance encounter to a deep friendship, Song Yang and Hans transcend the boundaries of culture and age, showing the most simple and sincere side of human nature.
In London, the young Song Yang struggles in an unfamiliar city, and Hans becomes his salvation, providing a safe haven in the name of his landlord, and the two eventually become indispensable in each other's lives.
With the deterioration of Hans's health, Song Yang's return is not only gratitude and feedback, but also a manifestation of affection and responsibility.
When Hans needed help the most, Song Yang did not hesitate to cross thousands of mountains and rivers to take him to China to continue to care, showing the dedication and selflessness of cross-cultural friendship.
Although Hans's old age was difficult, he was able to be peaceful because of Song Yang's company.
Resources:
1. Contemporary Youth Magazine "Friends in a Foreign Country: The Old Years of the Young Man Song Yang and Hans"
2. Dahe Daily "Chinese Guy Repays Kindness and Takes Care of the Swiss Elderly for 14 Years"
3. CCTV "A young man in Zhengzhou takes care of the elderly from a foreign country and touches everyone, and his family is difficult to understand"