In 1950, during the Korean War, General Cai Zhenguo, Vice Commander of the 50th Army of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, bravely fought on the frontlines. Tragically, he was killed in an airstrike near the Qinglong area in Guicheng, at the age of 44.
When the news of Cai's death reached China, his wife, Zhang Bo, was devastated. At the time, she was preparing to reunite with him in Korea, bringing their newborn son, Cai Xiaodong, along. The sudden loss left her grief-stricken, but she forced herself to speak at her husband's memorial, vowing to raise their child well and contribute to society. However, life had other plans, and Zhang Bo’s hopes for a normal life were shattered.
Shortly after Cai's death, their eldest son, Cai Sidao, tragically passed away in an accident. This additional blow sent Zhang Bo into deep mourning, causing her mental and physical health to deteriorate. Her condition worsened to the point where she could no longer walk without assistance, and she was cared for by a nanny. Her own desire to return to work was unfulfilled, and in 1955, she was retired from her post and never returned to the workforce.
Despite the pain, Zhang Bo tried to carry on for the sake of her young son. After six difficult years, with encouragement from her friends and colleagues, she remarried a former soldier, Dong Fengkui, a political officer at a military hospital and an old revolutionary. On their wedding day, instead of celebrating with family, they visited Cai Zhenguo's grave at the martyrs’ cemetery. At the grave, Dong Fengkui made a solemn vow to care for Zhang Bo and her son, Cai Xiaodong, as his own.
Dong Fengkui’s commitment wasn’t just words. He took on the responsibility of raising Cai Xiaodong, especially since Zhang Bo struggled with household tasks. She couldn't even cook properly and often had trouble starting the stove. Dong Fengkui would leave for work hungry when dinner was delayed, but he never complained. Over time, he also helped with sewing, such as when Cai Xiaodong needed a cover for his new ping pong racket.
Dong Fengkui expressed his desire to raise Cai Xiaodong as his own son and refused to allow Zhang Bo to claim the military widow’s pension for him. Dong treated Cai Xiaodong with the same love and care a biological father would show, making a lasting impact on the boy’s life.
When Cai Xiaodong turned 15, he insisted on joining the military, which caused a major conflict with his mother. She was unwilling to bear the loss of another child, but Dong Fengkui eventually supported his decision. After joining the army, Cai Xiaodong noticed that Dong Fengkui had been quietly following him on his bicycle, ensuring his safety.
At 18, Cai Xiaodong learned that his biological father was Cai Zhenguo. Deeply moved by Dong Fengkui's care for him, he eventually changed his surname back to Cai, as his adoptive father had suggested. Dong Fengkui had always called him “Xiaodong” and explained that, in his early years, he had used a different surname to protect him.
In his later years, Dong Fengkui developed bone cancer. As he neared death, he became increasingly agitated, frantically searching for documents related to pension policies. His son and daughter-in-law discovered that Dong was worried about Zhang Bo's future after his death and wanted to ensure she would be financially secure. Despite his illness, Dong's concern for his family's well-being remained unwavering until the end.
