Running Flower Cotton Coat Zheng Zhishu Wen | Summer Tree Cloud | Cotton Coat

Changchun, July 3, 2023- May 21, 2023 is a day that sounds somewhat romantic, and the Changchun Marathon is held on this day.

On these days, there are many fitness loving couples among the contestants, who set off in pairs, highlighting Xi Zhanyu's solitary running on the track. The latter is nearly 70 years old, with a slim figure and rabbit ears on his head, which are the standard equipment for "rabbit" athletes in this marathon race, and it is not surprising. But the slightly worn and overly fitting floral cotton jacket on his body stood out particularly in this late May weather.

Xi Zhanyu has long been accustomed to the gaze of people around him, wearing this floral cotton jacket, he has already run many tracks in many places. Running is the sport he loves the most in his life, and this flower padded jacket, which has gone through forty years of wind and rain, symbolizes his unforgettable wife and love.

Xi Zhanyu competed in the 2023 Changchun Marathon

In the days before putting on this floral cotton jacket, in the words of this Manchu farmer from Taku Village, Mangka Township, Jiutai District, Changchun City, Jilin Province, he was a person who loved to show off. And his "display" is to use sports to showcase himself and drive the villagers.

In 1988, Xi Zhanyu contracted for the protective forest in the village. The forest grew well and no one illegally felled it. In order to thank the nearby villagers for their cooperation and help, and considering the reality of "playing mahjong is nothing more than talking about different families" during the village's leisure time, he decided to pay for a farmer's sports meeting in the village.

"Showing off" belongs to "showing off". Organizing a sports meet is a big deal, especially since our family still owes 700 yuan in foreign debt. If we were to hold a sports meet, we would have to borrow another 300 yuan. With a nervous heart, Xi Zhanyu went to seek the opinion of his wife Xia Shuyun. "If she didn't agree, I wouldn't be able to do it." Xia Shuyun only said two words, "Let's do it." And so, the first village sports meet was held.

Xi Zhanyu leads nearby villagers who love running to run in the fields

Xi Zhanyu's passion for sports has a long history. When he was in school, he loved running and even delayed his studies due to his love for sports. After graduating and starting farming, I also subscribed to sports magazines and went out to watch games. At one point, the families of my blind dates thought that this person was "not down-to-earth.". But after the blind date, Xia Shuyun had a good impression of him. She felt that there was nothing wrong with farmers liking sports, as they were all legitimate hobbies. After the two were together, she still supported his hobbies very much.

The sports meet has been held more than once, although it is simple, it has a rich variety of events, and even has video materials. In the scene, Xia Shuyun, who was originally supposed to speak at the opening ceremony, held up his microphone and said, "Celebrating with the whole nation..." Then he shyly smiled and bent down to hide behind Xi Zhanyu. Xi Zhanyu took his lover's microphone and announced the start of the competition that year.

Although shy, Xia Shuyun, like Xi Zhanyu, is determined in the face of big things. In 1998, the Songhua River flooded and the dam in Mangka Township leaked, but the sand and stones outside could not be transported in. At that time, the foundation of Xi Zhanyu's new house had just been filled in. Xi Zhanyu wanted to dig out the sand and stones from the foundation to fill the dam. Xia Shuyun said, "The public's business is a big deal." The foundation of the new house was gone, but the fields on the side of the dam were preserved, and Xi Zhanyu was also named a "flood fighter".

The picture is taken by Xi Zhanyu when he ran to Anhui in 2008

For Xi Zhanyu, Xia Shuyun has always supported and tolerated her. Even in 2007, when Xi Zhanyu decided to spend a year running around the country to welcome the Beijing Olympics, she also agreed with her husband's idea.

Xi Zhanyu's reason is also very simple. When the two got married, he thought about how life would be like in this lifetime, "having food to eat, clothes to wear, a house to live in, firewood to burn, and being able to eat ten meals of rice a year." However, in 2007, life far exceeded this standard. "The country has grain subsidies and cooperative medical care. With the strengthening of our country and the improvement of farmers' living standards, going for a run can express our farmers' feelings for our country, promote the Olympic spirit, and welcome the Beijing Olympics."

That year, Xi Zhanyu ran through 16 provinces and cities with both feet, covering 12000 kilometers, while Xia Shuyun was in charge of everything at home. On August 9, 2008, Xi Zhanyu returned to his hometown. Xia Shuyun held his hand and touched it, looked at it again and again, with a smile on his face and tears streaming down his face.

A photo of Xia Shuyun on the windowsill of Xi Zhanyu's home

In 2015, Xia Shuyun was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away one year later. Xi Zhanyu has a photo of Xia Shuyun standing in front of the house, placed on the windowsill. Xia Shuyun in the frame is still smiling, and tears are all on Xi Zhanyu's face.

Another year later, during a physical examination in Changchun, Xi Zhanyu discovered a tumor in her left lung. He initially thought, forget it, let's go with his wife, but he didn't accept the proposal for surgery. Looking at her photos at home, I felt as if there were still many things to do, so I thought to see if I could improve my body by running every day.

After that, a thin figure appeared every day by the Songhua River, whether it was in the clear sky or in the midst of wind and rain. Xi Zhanyu's running footsteps never stopped. The passage of time and the shift of attention could neutralize the immense sadness, but it was difficult to dissolve the long-term longing.

Xi Zhanyu is sewing a cotton padded jacket for Xia Shuyun at home

Xia Shuyun has a red cotton jacket embroidered with flower patterns. Due to limited family conditions, this cotton jacket has been washed and worn. Xia Shuyun has been wearing it for thirty years. Looking at this floral cotton jacket, Xi Zhanyu had an idea.

"I used to run a marathon alone, but now if I want to wear it, it's like we're both running."

I will open my eyes all night long, to repay my life without raising my eyebrows.

In the days that followed, Xi Zhanyu appeared on one track after another wearing a cotton padded jacket, despite often attracting attention from others and even being suspected of having mental problems, he persisted. When sweating, he would hold his clothes in his hand, wash them clean, and put them in the cabinet. When he was about to compete, he would take them out of the cabinet and put them in his backpack, carrying them on his back to the next arena.

Xi Zhanyu is in front of Xia Shuyun's tomb

Xia Shuyun's tomb is located in the fields by the Songhua River. Before setting off, Xi Zhanyu often goes to take a look again.

"Shuyun, I'm here to send you money."

Crouching in front of Xia Shuyun's grave, Xi Zhanyu added yellow paper money to the fire.

"I'm going to Changchun for a marathon tomorrow. I'll take you there. Let's also see the atmosphere of running a marathon."

"Before, I used to run by myself. From now on, every time I go for a marathon, I will take you for a run."

"Cheer me on. Run well and cheer on me."

The wind in the countryside blows, and the gauze flowers on the tomb rustle.

Xi Zhanyu sets off for Changchun to participate in the competition

By now, Xi Zhanyu has already run dozens of races, and he has even bigger goals for the future. "This year, I will run to these places in front of my home, where I have raised chickens, ducks, geese, and bees. I plan to sell all these things and plan to run to my other half of China. I will bring my wife's cotton jacket and show her the new look of various parts of our country."

During the first half of her life's running, she waited for him at home; And in the final few steps, he will take her with him.

Producer: Yu Xiaozhong, Zhai Wei

Producer: Zhou Jie, Chu Xiaoliang

Director: Wang Chujie

Camera: Tian Guangyu and Wei Meng

Editing: Major Kong Dashi

Narrator: Zheng Zhi

Text photography: Yan Linyun, Zhang Nan, Zheng Zhi

Production unit: Jilin Branch of Xinhua News Agency, Sports Department, Xinhua News Agency

Post production

Changsha Echo Creative Culture Media Co., Ltd