Anonymous donor for 15 years – the most mysterious donor, “Lan Xiaocao”, has been identified

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The most mysterious donor in Wenzhou, “Lan Xiaocao”, has been found. Unexpectedly, it was at the time of his death. He was Wang Jue, a rural doctor from the islands of Dongtou; he passed away tragically at the age of 48 the night before last. For 15 consecutive years, he donated 20,000 yuan anonymously each year, becoming the “most heartwarming secret” that touched Zhejiang. Over those 15 years, he donated a total of 300,000 yuan anonymously, always leaving only the name “Lan Xiaocao”. He was known as the “mystery of Wenzhou”; the whole city searched for him for 15 years without success, yet he always delivered the agreed 20,000 yuan in charitable donations on time. (The deeds of “Lan Xiaocao” have been continuously reported in the Qianjiang Evening News over the past 15 years.) Unexpectedly, the time when they found him was also the time of their forever goodbye. On the evening of October 20, 48-year-old Wang Jue passed away due to illness. It was only then that people learned that this rural doctor who had stayed in the fishing village on Dongtou Island with his family for 28 years was none other than the mysterious donor “Lan Xiaocao” – the person who missed out on numerous public service awards but continued to donate to charitable causes for over a decade. “\"Lan Xiaocao\" had made a commitment to philanthropy, pledging to donate 20,000 yuan each year for 33 years; once this commitment was fulfilled, he would share his story with the public. One year, two years, three years... fifteen years, until last November. “\"Lan Xiaocao\" kept this secret to herself, working silently until the last moment of her life. ““Lan Xiaocao” made anonymous donations for 15 years; his identity was revealed only at the time of his death. Who exactly was “Lan Xiaocao”? For 15 years, the entire city of Wenzhou has been searching for him. On November 17, 2002, a young man in his 20s sent a package to the Wenzhou Evening News; it contained a red box with 20,000 yuan in cash inside. The money was not all in 100-yuan bills, but also included crumpled smaller bills. There is also a letter in the box signed by “Lan Xiaocao, the son of a farmer”. The letter read, “These 20,000 yuan are the result of our hard work; we want to donate them to orphans and widows who are in urgent need of help... We hope to donate 20,000 yuan each year over 33 years as part of the ‘Star Rain Wish’ donation initiative, as a way to repay the farmers for their hard work in raising us...” From then on, this annual ‘appointment’ driven by love was never interrupted. Every year, in the middle to late part of November, “Lan Xiaocao” keeps his promise by having someone deliver a donation of 20,000 yuan, and he has been doing this for 15 years now. While the whole city of Wenzhou was searching for him, \"Lan Xiaocao\" chose to keep a low profile; his donations were made in secrecy each year, and he arrived and left in a hurry. Sometimes he would deliberately wear a hat and mask to deliver the money to the Wenzhou Evening News, the Wenzhou Charity Federation, or the Lucheng District Charity Federation – in short, the location changed every year. The Publicity Department of the Dongtou District Committee offered condolences to Wang Jue’s family and posthumously awarded him the title of “Most Outstanding Person in Dongtou and Moral Role Model”. Because of his commitment to kindness and his adherence to promises, “Lan Xiaocao” was awarded titles such as “One of the Top 10 Charitable Figures in Wenzhou’s 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up” and “One of the Top 10 Influential Figures in Wenzhou”. Yet he never appeared at any of these awards ceremonies for charitable efforts, nor did he delegate anyone else to receive the awards on his behalf. ““Lan Xiaocao” is a well-known name in Wenzhou; his stories of doing good inspire the people there, yet his true identity has always remained a mystery in Wenzhou. It was not until the evening of October 20 that Lan Xiaocao’s family called a reporter from the Wenzhou Evening News, who had been following up on this matter, and informed them that Lan Xiaocao was actually Wang Jue, a rural doctor from Dongtou District; the 48-year-old man passed away due to illness that same evening. According to her family, on July 27 of this year, “Lan Xiaocao” suddenly felt unwell, and a hospital in Shanghai diagnosed her with advanced liver cancer. It was as if fate played a joke: the moment the identity of “Lan Xiaocao” was revealed, it was also the moment everyone said goodbye to him forever. Family members reveal the origin of the name “Lan Xiaocao”; it was his brother-in-law who helped submit the donations for him. Behind the hidden identity of “Lan Xiaocao” lies an ordinary rural doctor who has been working anonymously on the island for 28 years, serving at the health clinic in Aomian Village, Damen Town, Dongtou District, Wenzhou. Opening Wang Jue’s notebook, the words “respect the elderly and care for the young, help those in need” are very prominent; they also serve as his life motto. According to his family, “Lan Xiaocao” worked in a fishery village on an island before his death. In 1990, Damen Island had poor transportation links, a shortage of medical staff, and difficult working conditions; yet Wang Jue, at just 20 years old, persistently set foot on the island. He settled down here, married, and had children. The writings that Wang Jue posted on his social media account during his lifetime show him always smiling. Whenever the villagers on the island felt unwell, they would go to see him, and the locals regarded him as the \"guardian of life\" on the island. Every year during the Spring Festival, or on the occasions of the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, he goes to nursing homes to hold birthday parties and festive gatherings for the elderly, gives them red envelopes, or presents them with zongzi made by his wife. How did his family know that he was “Lan Xiaocao”? Wang Zan, Wang Jue’s brother, told the reporter that during the Spring Festival two years ago, when the family was gathered together, the eldest brother mentioned the article about “Lan Xiaocao” in the newspaper, saying that he might be a big boss or entrepreneur. Wang Jue’s wife then remarked, “How could he be someone wealthy!” ”Upon further inquiry, it was then that I learned that my second elder brother, Wang Jue, was actually “Lan Xiaocao”. 15 years ago, why did Wang Jue use the name “Lan Xiaocao” to donate to charity? Wang Jue once said that her ordinary and kind grandmother loved painting orchids and was highly respected in the village; therefore, by combining the ideas of \"ordinary grass\" and \"noble orchid\", the name \"Orchid Grass\" was created. Over the years, it has been Hou Haiguo, Wang Jue’s brother-in-law, who has been responsible for delivering the donations. Recalling his first donation, Hou Haiguo still remembers it vividly: “At that time, I went to the newspaper office to donate money with my brother-in-law; he stood in the lobby while I was the one who handed over the money.” That time, two people went to make the donation together; for the next ten-odd years, I went by myself. ”Hou Haiguo runs a barbershop in Yueqing. As the day for making the donation approached, Wang Jue took boats and vehicles to get there in person and handed the money to Hou Haiguo. “Donating money each time is like engaging in guerrilla warfare: choosing a different organization to donate to every year, and having to cover up one’s actions. Sometimes, worried that the money might not have been received, I would call from a pay phone to check. To avoid being found, they travel by tricycles or buses and then switch to taxis, it’s like in a spy movie. ” Hou Haiguo said that around 2011, his brother-in-law Wang Jue needed money urgently and borrowed 20,000 yuan from him to make a donation, which is why the donation was made a day late that year. “Back then, when we sent the money together, I was still a young man in my 20s. All this time has passed, and I have continued to keep my promise to my brother-in-law, helping him fulfill his wish. ”Hou Haiguo said that his brother-in-law was very weak before leaving, and the family suggested revealing “Lan Xiaocao’s” identity to the public. “But my brother-in-law got very angry when he heard this; his face took on a grim expression, and he furrowed his brows and was unable to speak.” ”Wang Jue’s illness meant that one should not get angry; from then on, his family never dared to bring up the matter again. Before passing away, she asked her son to take good care of their mother and to become a person useful to society. On Da Men Island, separated from the rest by mountains and waters, there are many elderly people living alone who face difficulties in moving around, but Wang Jue never complained; he cared for them silently, just as if they were family members. “On the islands, the wind can be strong and the rain heavy at times. After some elderly people have received treatment and had intravenous infusions, Wang Jue would still pay extra to have a tricycle take those who live far away back home. ”Lin Caizhong, a friend of Wang Jue, said that for the elderly residents who live closer to the village, Wang Jue would take them home on his back whenever he had time. Just as Wang Jue wrote in his QQ signature, “Alleviate patients’ pain in the shortest possible time.” ”He was always busy going back and forth, saying to the patients with a smile, “It will get better, it will get better.” But who would have thought that this time, despite being ill, he wouldn’t make it through. Since being diagnosed on July 27 and returning from Shanghai, Wang Jue has been resting in Yuanjue Sub-district, his hometown of Dongtou. When the villagers of Damen Island learned of this, they came in groups by boat to visit Wang Jue at his hometown. The family said, “Many villagers came; there wasn’t enough space in the rooms to fit them all.” ” It is understood that Wang Jue’s wife helps prepare medicines at a health clinic, and with their son going to school, the family does not have much financial prosperity. Even so, when families in difficulty or orphans and widows came to the village for medical treatment, Wang Jue would often waive or reduce the cost of medicines, and would also give them fruits and money. In fact, in addition to donating 20,000 yuan each year under the name of “Lan Xiaocao,” Mr. and Mrs. Wang Jue also go to the local nursing home every year to show their kindness by taking blood pressure readings for the elderly, providing them with medicine, and offering free medical consultations. Their wife, Hou Haiping, invites the residents of the nursing home to taste a special drink to mark the new year before Chinese New Year every year. “One year, it rained heavily, and my parents insisted on going to the nursing home to hold a birthday celebration; I really couldn’t understand that at the time. ”Son Prince Zhen said that his father told him that when his mother was about to give birth, it was the elders from the nursing home who helped by taking her to the hospital. “One should know how to be grateful and repay kindness. ”Prince Zhen kept his father’s words in mind. For this very reason, during his university years, Wang Zizhen also participated in various community service activities at school. When he learned that his father was the famous “Lan Xiaocao,” he felt very proud and said he would carry on his father’s spirit by continuing to help those in need around him. Why did “Lan Xiaocao” make a “33-year promise” back then, deciding to reveal his identity after 33 years? Prince Zhen remembers his mother mentioning that in 2002, his father was exactly 33 years old. At that time, some difficulties arose in the family, and his father made a promise to quietly engage in charitable activities, reserving the right to reveal his true identity only after 33 years. “We had agreed on 33 years, but before even half of that time passed, my father passed away suddenly. ”Prince Zhen said through sobs. “We all understand what our father does. When he was sick, I sang that poem titled \"A Prose Poem for Father\" for him, and he quietly turned his head away to wipe his tears. ”Prince Zhen said that on his deathbed, his father instructed him to take care of his mother and to become a person useful to society. Prince Zhen said that he and his family will also carry on the wish of “Lan Xiaocao” and continue to carry out their father’s charitable efforts.