Father finds son after 8 years of separation thanks to COVID-19 test data system

According to Dahe News, the man surnamed Zhang lives in a rural village in Thap He town, Henan province, China. Eight years ago, Mr. Zhang and his 25-year-old son had an argument about him being too addicted to video games.

Being scolded by his parents, his son ran away from home, cutting off contact with all family members. Mr. Zhang reported the matter to the police and spent months searching Internet bars and restaurants where his son used to work, but to no avail.

“It’s like he’s evaporated from the world. We worry about our son having an accident, having nightmares every night. His mother cries every day.” Mr. Zhang shared, and said that he and his wife did not dare to tell others about their son for fear that they would ask about his disappearance.

Screenshot of test results COVID-19 of Mr. Zhang’s son. Photo: Handout

Mr. Zhang has worked as a construction worker in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, for the past eight years. Whenever he has free time, the man goes to look for his son because he has a strong belief that his son is still out there somewhere in the city.

In early 2022, a relative suggested that Mr. Zhang check his son’s COVID-19 test information. Unexpectedly, the man discovered that his son had participated in a large-scale test in Zhengzhou 3 times this year.

With the help of local police, Mr. Zhang managed to find the address of the apartment his son rented. After waiting for a while at the door of the apartment, he finally met his son after 8 years of separation.

Recalling the moment he saw his son, Mr. Zhang said: “My son looks fatter than before and has changed a lot. Of course I am older, my hair is almost white. My father and I did not recognize each other at first sight.”

After learning that his son was working two jobs at the same time, Mr. Zhang realized that his son had finally understood to work hard and earn money.

“I am 33 years old this year, unmarried, and have not achieved anything. If you contact your parents, it will only make them sad.” Mr. Zhang’s son revealed the reason for not talking to his family for the past 8 years.