The old man picking up trash is carved in the library, behind is a touching story

Mr. Vi Tu Hao

Wei Si Hao was born in a family in the city of Indochina, Zhejiang Province (China) in 1938. From an early age, he loved to read. Most of the famous novels were read and re-read by him many times.

In 1957, he entered the Chinese department of Hangzhou University. And become a secondary school teacher after graduation.

During the days of standing on the podium, he met many excellent students but could not continue studying because of poverty. Every time he saw the children looking at the classroom with eyes of nostalgia and helplessness, his heart sank.

Vi Tu Hao decided to help those poor students, but his salary at that time was not high. To have money to help the children, he had to live a very tight life. However, he could only help very few people.

Before retiring in 1999, he met with the school’s leadership, expressing his desire to establish a scholarship fund to help students with good academic achievements but could not go to school because of poverty.

However, because he lived so frugally, his appearance gave people the impression that he was poor. No one dares to believe, he can spend money to help others. So his offer was rejected by the school leader. He had to leave the campus with regret.

After retiring, Vi Tu Hao received a pension of 5600 yuan/month (20 million dong at the current exchange rate). With this money, ordinary people could live a comfortable life but Wei Si Hao chose a completely different life. He hid his children, became an old, poor scavenger.

His decision surprised neighbors and friends. Everyone whispers and talks. Some people even suspect that Vi Tu Hao’s long-married children are unfilial, so that’s why he became like that.

Those rumors reached the ears of Vi Tu Hao’s 3 daughters. All are upset. They even had family meetings, demanding to bring their father back to live with them to take care of them. But Vi Tu Hao firmly refused. He continued to pick up trash and lived alone in an old apartment.

In 2014, Vi Tu Hao suddenly became famous on the Internet. At that time, he put a bag with his belongings behind his back and walked to the door of the Hangzhou library. After he had put his things neatly away, he went inside.

However, he did not immediately look for the book, but went to the water basin and washed his hands carefully. His respect for books caught the eye of a reporter. Immediately, the reporter took a photo and posted it on the Internet.

He always kept the habit of washing his hands carefully before touching books.

Vi Tu Hao quickly received the attention of many people. Everyone praised the old man’s caution. Some parents even took the photo to inspire their children.

But at the time, most people only knew him as a scavenger who respected books. No one would have imagined that the poor, smelly-looking old man was once a teacher and has a not-so-low pension.

Wei Sihao went to the library more than once or twice. Whenever he had time, he would come and read books. Every time he comes, he washes his hands carefully. Someone asked him why he had to wash his hands every time. The old man just shyly smiled: “Don’t dirty the book”.

After each garbage collection session, he would go to the Hangzhou library to read books.

He loves books and enjoys reading, but due to his age, his eyesight is getting worse and worse. Every time he reads, he has to look very closely at the book to be able to see the words.

However, on December 13, 2015, on his way to pick up trash, he was hit by a taxi. After more than 20 days in the hospital, he passed away.

The three daughters returned to their father’s place to pack up. In the small house, with only a mirror and old furniture, the three of them looked at each other and burst into tears. They couldn’t imagine why Dad was so determined to live like this.

Before that, they had repeatedly proposed to repair the house, but Vi Tu Hao did not agree. He always said, don’t waste money, the current house is still good enough for him to live comfortably.

Now seeing the house, they do not understand why, father’s pension is high, but he wants to make it so difficult for him. “I remember my dad fell while going up the stairs at the library last year. His leg was covered in blood and had a wound 10cm long. A kind woman took him to the hospital, the doctor told him to rest. But he just bought bandages and medicine and left,” said Ms. Ngo – Vi Tu Hao’s second daughter in an interview.

When she heard the news, she quarreled with her biological father. Her father’s unappreciated behavior made her very sad. Even after her father passed away, she still had some resentment in her heart. “If my father had not gone to pick up trash and lived with his children, he might not have left the world in this way.”

It is not until you see an iron box, in which there are receipts and letters, that you understand all my anomalies. As it turns out, since retiring, Vi Tu Hao has sponsored a number of students from poor families.

According to the receipt, he started sending money under the name Wei Dinh Trieu in 1994 and has been donating for 21 years. He also kept in touch with the children he sponsored over the years. When the children encountered difficult problems in life, they wrote letters to ask him, and he patiently answered.

In the iron box, Vi Tu Hao’s daughter also found a contract to donate the body. The old man hopes that after his death, all that remains of him will be donated to those in need.

When understanding the situation, many people were moved to tears. They decided to raise money to continue the work that he was unfinished. Some even wished to make a statue for him.

Therefore, today, when going to the Hangzhou library, people can see the statue of an old man reading a book. That is the old man Vi Tu Hao – who was once commented by Professor Lou Han Hung (Zhejiang University) as a conscientious educator. “He’s gone, but his spirit remains in this city.”

The statue in the Hangzhou library.

Linh and Giang(According to Sohu)