30 years after Mao Mao filed a complaint

"Chen Mengzhen is a very individualistic person. I hoped she would win the lawsuit and leave, because if she stayed, she would definitely suffer poverty and suffering. However, based on her 30 years of perseverance, she has indeed fallen in love with this man." Wang Wenli, 88, said in a nursing home in Jinshan District, an hour and a half drive from the center of Shanghai.

After filming "Mao Mao Complaints", director Wang Wenli and Mao Mao's family became friends. She told reporters about the follow-up of this past story. Photo by Xie Feijun

In 1993, Chen Mengzhen, a 26 year old girl from Hunan, went to Shanghai to recognize her ex boyfriend Zhao Wenlong while holding her infant daughter Mao Mao Mao. However, Zhao Wenlong, who had been disabled by polio since childhood, refused to recognize her daughter. As a last resort, Chen Mengzhen filed a lawsuit against him in court. The paternity test showed that Zhao Wenlong was Mao Mao's biological father. Upon learning the result, he changed his previous indifferent attitude and requested forgiveness from Chen Mengzhen to form a family with her. This convoluted story that happens to ordinary people is known to many Shanghai residents because the documentary "Mao Mao Confession" is directed by Wang Wenli. In the past 30 years, she has been in contact with the Mao family and has been recognized and questioned multiple times in hospitals where she is seeking medical treatment, Huangpu River ferries, and other occasions: are you the director of Mao's Complaint? How is the Maomao family doing? How is the Maomao family doing? In the summer 30 years later, the reporter found Wang Wenli and Chen Mengzhen and listened to them talk about the development of the past - Chen Mengzhen's married life, as Wang Wenli had said before, "suffered a lot," but she also had "achievements" - Zhao Wenlong needed someone to accompany him 24 hours a day due to illness, and Chen Mengzhen stayed with him all day long. Only when the long-term care insurance staff came to the door for service could she take the time to go out and work part-time to subsidize her family; Mao Mao received help from kind-hearted people in his third year of high school and applied to study in the United States. After graduating from graduate school, he settled in the United States. Achievement lies in Wang Wenli's heart. He and the Mao family are no longer in the relationship of being interviewed or interviewed, but rather friends who talk about everything. Since the filming and broadcast of "Mao Mao Complaint" in 1993, she has maintained a long-term connection with this family. Every Spring Festival, Mao Mao's family visits her house to pay their respects. Wang Wenli has never been absent from important matters of this small family. After marriage, Zhao Wenlong loved his wife and daughter very much. He voluntarily handed over all his income to Chen Mengzhen and took on many responsibilities of taking care of Mao Mao. After Mao Mao grew older, the father and daughter would even unite to report to Wang Wenli, and Chen Mengzhen's attitude at home was strict. Originally, in the Mao family, it has always been a combination of "loving father and strict mother". Wang Wenli has always known that Chen Mengzhen's life is not easy. Chen Mengzhen, who had not read for several years, supported her family's life through hard physical work for many years after marriage. She has worked as a caregiver at a Maomao daycare center, as a dishwasher at a fast food restaurant, a salesperson at a supermarket, and a domestic hourly worker. "Mao Mao needs money to study, Mao Mao's father needs money to see a doctor, and her schedule is always very full." Five years ago, Wang Wenli and his wife moved to a nursing home in Jinshan District, Shanghai. Before leaving, she specifically instructed Chen Mengzhen: Jinshan is far away and the transportation is inconvenient, so there is no need to visit specifically in the future. Just call when you have time. In the winter of 2021, Wang Wenli called Chen Mengzhen and said, "You work very hard all year round. Do you want to come to the nursing home to rest for a few days during the Spring Festival?" She only then learned that Zhao Wenlong's physical condition had taken a sharp turn for the worse and he couldn't leave for a moment. After listening, Wang Wenli remained silent for a long time. She couldn't help but sigh on the phone: Mao Mao has grown up. I thought you could relax a bit, but I didn't expect Zhao Wenlong to be like this again. You are really unlucky! Unexpectedly, on the other end of the phone, it was Chen Mengzhen's cheerful voice: Teache

Faced with the camera, Chen Mengzhen expressed herself clearly, without any hesitation in her eyes. Screenshots of the documentary "Fury Complaints"

Wang Wenli still vividly remembers that when he first met Chen Mengzhen, a male colleague who went to shoot a documentary exclaimed, "A girl from a rural area in Hunan dares to venture into Shanghai with her illegitimate daughter. It's really not easy!"

In front of the camera, Chen Mengzhen was thin and small, with disheveled hair. She struggled to hold the child, but her language was clear and clear, with no hesitation in her eyes. During the follow-up visit, Wang Wenli asked himself more than once: If you were Mao Mao's mother, would you dare to take such a path? In fact, after Chen Mengzhen became pregnant in April 1992, Zhao Wenlong believed that the child was not his. The two of them argued for a long time about this, and even went to the hospital to prepare for an abortion. However, when they walked to the hospital gate, Chen Mengzhen asked again: Do you admit that the child is yours? Seeing Zhao Wenlong silent and not answering, Chen Mengzhen changed her mind and decided to give birth to the child to prove her innocence. So, when the child was six months old in her belly, she returned to her hometown in Hunan alone. In that era, it was inevitable for her family to have misunderstandings and neighbors to have different opinions, but she insisted on giving birth to the child. Three months later, Chen Mengzhen went to Shanghai with her child to find Zhao Wenlong to recognize her family. Faced with Zhao Wenlong's various evasions, she began the process of "reporting a complaint". Coincidentally, this news clue circulated to Wang Wenli, who was planning to shoot a documentary about the wave of migrant workers at that time. The most gripping part of the documentary "Mao Mao's Complaint" is the factual record of the day of the verdict: on July 12, 1993, Chen Mengzhen walked towards the court under the scorching sun with an umbrella in one hand and Mao Mao in the other, and Zhao Wenlong slowly followed. After taking his seat, he sat down with the back of the chair on his right arm, while Chen Mengzhen calmly sat on the other end of the bench. When the judge pronounced Mao Mao as Zhao Wenlong's biological child, Zhao Wenlong was initially expressionless and shouted twice before he came to his senses: "Is this appraisal legally responsible?" As he signed the verdict, Chen Mengzhen burst into a dimple and said, "I'm innocent."

In Wang Wenli's view, the Mao family who went to court were all real and brave. Screenshot of the documentary "Mao Mao Complaint"

After many years, these details have frozen in Wang Wenli's mind, and what she admires the most is their bravery. "Of course, Chen Mengzhen was brave, and Zhao Wenlong, who had a huge contrast before and after the judgment, was also brave." In Wang Wenli's view, the reason why Zhao Wenlong initially showed resistance to the mother and daughter, and confidently said many hurtful words was because he did not believe that it was his own child. Faced with such a cold and indifferent Zhao Wenlong, Wang Wenli never attempted to preach simply, but sincerely said to him, "How could you do this? If I were in your position, I couldn't bear it." Although Zhao Wenlong did not change his mind at the time, when the appraisal results came out, he wrote a letter of repentance to Chen Mengzhen, asking Wang Wenli to deliver it. Wang Wenli had hoped that Chen Mengzhen would leave after winning the lawsuit, because marrying Zhao Wenlong was a visible hardship. But Chen Mengzhen chose to forgive and agreed to his marriage request. In Wang Wenli's view, Chen Mengzhen's marriage to Zhao Wenlong brought Zhao Wenlong a new life and hope, but Zhao Wenlong's parents have never been able to accept it. Living under the same roof for many years, Zhao's father couldn't warm the hearts of the old couple. He regarded "the wood that floats on the door cannot be picked" as a wise saying, and in the shared kitchen, he would also throw the pots washed by Chen Mengzhen on the ground. Wang Wenli vividly remembers that about three years after their marriage, they received a crying phone call from Chen Mengzhen, who said she couldn't hold on anymore and wanted to return to Hunan. But in fact, she couldn't let go at all. "What should Mao Mao do, what should Zhao Wenlong do?" She couldn't leave this home.

On Mao Mao's 10th birthday, the family was eating cake at home. Screenshot of a 20-year follow-up video of "Mao Mao's Complaint"

As time goes by, this family becomes increasingly difficult to leave behind. Since 2001, Zhao Wenlong has had problems with his body, such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid surgery and prostate surgery, and was diagnosed with manic disorder and Alzheimer's disease. After experiencing the COVID-19 last year, although people were saved, they were unconscious of urination and defecation. Zhao Wenlong would shout and scream whenever he felt unwell, and the caregivers he paid for also expressed that he couldn't keep up. For her family, the only relief was to send the patient to a mental health center, but Chen Mengzhen couldn't bear to part with it. Zhao Wenlong now needs care just like infants and young children. In the past few days, due to Chen Mengzhen's unwillingness for reporters to come to our doorstep, we had intermittent phone conversations for four to five hours, almost always interrupted due to Zhao Wenlong's new needs. She muttered to the reporter: During the years when Zhao Wenlong was clear headed, he could always pay attention to her inner needs. For example, knowing that she wants to go back to her hometown to see her parents, but can't let go of her family affairs in Shanghai, Zhao Wenlong will secretly go to the railway station to buy the ticket, and then inform Chen Mengzhen to hurry home and pack up things to start. He has also told Chen Mengzhen more than once: it seems that no one in this world would want me, only you wouldn't. In the words of Chen Mengzhen, the future lies ahead. These 30 years have passed quickly, and "I am responsible for my own choices and do not regret them. If life were to be repeated, it should be the same.". Journalists and Wang Wenli are both curious: What has supported Chen Mengzhen's 30-year persistence? "Did Teacher Wang initially think that I had something else in mind?" "No," the reporter quickly explained, "Teacher Wang told me with certainty that your persistence must include love, but she doesn't know what attracted you." The other end of the phone suddenly fell silent, and Chen Mengzhen, who spoke too fast, took a deep breath and slowed down her pace. "I am a person with my own opinions. Zhao Wenlong and I can come together not because of Teacher Wang, but also because of the TV program. I am not stupid, let alone considering household registration. I just have a connection with him. The first time I saw him, I thought he was gentle and refined." "Bin, it gives people a very comfortable feeling," said Chen Mengzhen, who had been holding back these words for 30 years and had never said them to anyone. "Before I arrived in Shanghai, the ending was already in my heart. I knew his personality the best, and I had anticipated his initial struggles, evasions, and unreasonable behavior." Chen Mengzhen admitted that even though she was living a difficult life with her child at the time, her heart remained calm. "I haven't said it for so many years because I'm afraid everyone won't understand." She still remembers that on the day she settled at the end of 2000, the staff of the Disabled Persons' Federation reminded Zhao Wenlong that as soon as her household registration was registered, she would run away. These little moments have silently influenced Chen Mengzhen for 30 years, and now she seems more afraid of being noticed, discussed, and misunderstood than ever before. She has told reporters more than once that she has watched a lot of self media reposts recently, but she only wants to live quietly and not be disturbed by anyone. "When some people criticized Chen Mengzhen back then, she remembered very clearly that if she didn't leave, she wanted to prove it to others. This was both an advantage and a disadvantage, because some words didn't need to be taken seriously," said Wang Wenli.

Screenshot of a 20-year follow-up video of Chen Mengzhen and Mao Mao's video chat on "Mao Mao's Complaint"

Now, Chen Mengzhen doesn't know how to go in the future. But one thing is for sure, she doesn't want Maomao to be affected by them in any way. Mao Mao settled in the United States after graduating from graduate school. In the Spring Festival of 2023, she returned to China to accompany her parents for several months and also visited Wang Wenli in Jinshan. Nowadays, she can provide some financial assistance to her family, but Chen Mengzhen does not want her daughter to get involved. This is a mother's simple emotion towards her daughter. She stubbornly believes that when Mao Mao gets married and buys a house, as parents, she cannot provide financial support or at least increase her burden. Due to doctors repeatedly reminding Chen Mengzhen not to overwork, she has recently considered waiting for Zhao Wenlong's traditional Chinese medicine to recuperate for a while before preparing to take him back to the countryside in Hunan for retirement. This way, the house in Shanghai can be rented out and used to cover daily expenses. On September 5th, the reporter arrived at Chen Mengzhen's home. Although she had talked a lot on and off during the previous three weeks of phone calls, it was only when she met Zhao Wenlong, whose activity was limited to one bed, that she truly realized what her persistence meant. At 9 o'clock in the morning, when the reporter rang the doorbell, Chen Mengzhen was drying the clothes of the day on the balcony. She, weighing less than 45 kilograms, stood among a pile of clothes and looked even slimmer. Drying is an important task for Chen Mengzhen throughout the day. Every morning, almost all of Zhao Wenlong's pajamas, pajamas, bed sheets, and bedding from the previous night were thrown into the washing machine, depending on how many times Zhao Wenlong had wet the bed the previous night. Another important task of Chen Mengzhen is odor removal. She also laid disposable urinary pads on the ground on both sides of Zhao Wenlong's bed to catch the phlegm he occasionally vomited as much as possible. In order to prevent any unpleasant odors in the room, she wiped the floor every day and smoked it with vinegar every few days. Chen Mengzhen has also lived in this house located on Maotai Road in Changning District for 30 years. They got married, lived, and raised Mao Mao in one of the rooms. "Until Mao Mao went to study in the United States, all three of us lived in this room." The room next door with a balcony was the former residence of Zhao Wenlong's parents. After the two elderly people passed away, Zhao Wenlong moved to his parents' room for a few years. But from a year ago, because Zhao Wenlong was increasingly unable to take care of himself, they lived together in the first room. Zhao Wenlong slept on the nursing bed customized by Chen Mengzhen online, and she slept on the small bed next to it herself. On the simple small table between the two beds, there are their wedding photos and Mao Mao's college graduation photos.

The group photo of Chen Mengzhen's family on Maotai Road records the journey they have taken over the past 30 years. Photo by our reporter Xie Feijun

The reporter and Chen Mengzhen were talking outside, and Zhao Wenlong in the bedroom occasionally made an "ah" sound. This "ah" sound didn't sound much different to outsiders, but Chen Mengzhen could tell different needs from different tones: whether to spit, drink water, or change the urine bag. After a while, Zhao Wenlong would loudly say "goodbye" again, meaning that the journalist could leave. Chen Mengzhen smiled and said, "Don't worry about him. He's just like this person. My requirement is to surround him 24 hours a day, and for everyone else, including my daughter, I can leave as soon as I've been there." The long-term coexistence also deeply influenced Chen Mengzhen. "Sometimes when he gets angry, I also get angry at him. After the anger, I ask him, 'Am I angry?' He says, 'I'm angry.' Then I ask, 'Will we still live together in the next life?' He says, 'I'm willing, do you still want?' I say, 'I'm willing too.' Day after day, we live like this.". In the two bedroom, one living room house, various medicines can be seen everywhere, which were provided by Chen Mengzhen from different hospitals such as Tongren Hospital, Mental Health Center, District Hospital, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Although she was not sure which medicine was effective, she never gave up on any attempt. At the end of the interview, the reporter asked Zhao Wenlong, "Is Teacher Chen fierce?" "Fierce!" "Did you argue with her?" "Now we can't argue anymore." Zhao Wenlong smiled like a child, and when Chen Mengzhen heard this answer, she also burst out laughing.