Zhu Yunchang, a septuagenarianseptuagenarian/ˌsɛptʃuədʒɪˈnɛəriən/L3七十多岁的人（特指70至79岁）a person who is between 70 and 79 years old from Jiangsu province, live-streams as a beauty influencer to fund his grandson's treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 1. The annual cost of the medication, nusinersen, was initially 1.4 million yuan, forcing him to sell his apartment and borrow from relatives. His motivation stems from an unyieldingunyielding/ʌnˈjiːldɪŋ/L3不屈不挠的；坚定不移的firm and determined; not giving in to pressure or persuasion sense of paternal duty toward his only daughter, whose mental health collapsed upon hearing the diagnosis. The boy, now nine, was given a life expectancy of 18 months at six months of age, a prognosisprognosis/prɒɡˈnəʊsɪs/L3预后（对疾病可能结果的预测）a medical prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease that devastated the family. His daughter, Zhu Wei, works during the day and assists with live-streaming in the evenings.
Zhu's nightly live-streams, often extending past midnight, feature him inelegantly applying makeup and swatching lipsticks, drawing a compassionate online audience. He also learned massage techniques from hospital therapists by pretending to be a relative of another patient, mastering skills he now applies daily to his grandson. Even when ill, he wears multiple masks to avoid infections, adhering relentlessly to the massage routine. The medication, nusinersen, approved in China in 2019, significantly improves survival rates and quality of life but originally cost 700,000 yuan per injection, necessitating two injections annually. This high cost placed immense strain on the family before insurance coverage was introduced.
Notwithstanding the exorbitantexorbitant/ɪɡˈzɔːrbɪtənt/L3（价格、要求等）过高的；离谱的unreasonably high or excessive, especially in terms of cost or price initial cost, the drug was incorporated into China's medical insurance scheme in 2021, reducing each injection to 33,000 yuan. Consequently, the family's financial burden has eased substantially, allowing Jingyan to attend school on his better days and play with classmates. The boy's father, conspicuously absent from family videos and media reports, remains a shadowy figure, while Zhu Wei continues her dual role as employee and live-streamer. Zhu Yunchang, described by his daughter as a "superman" with a super engine, has become the family's linchpin, embodying the adage that a father's love is like a mountain. The family now lives in Qingdao, Shandong province, to access better treatment facilities.
Zhu's ultimate wish is for Jingyan to stand independently, a goal that seems increasingly plausible given the boy's resilienceresilience/rɪˈzɪliəns/L3韧性；恢复力；适应力the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt to adverse conditions and the family's tenacious efforts. Jingyan, who loves singing and studies with an online teacher, has expressed a desire to attend university in Qingdao. Zhu's response—"I support you no matter what you decide"—encapsulates the unwavering familial commitment that has moved countless online observers. Indeed, the story has resonated widely, with commenters praising the grandfather's sacrifice and the primacy of family bonds over all other relationships. His daughter describes him as a superman, a sentiment echoed by many viewers.
