In the early morning of May 5, the ruins of Xuankou Middle School in Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, were solemn and quiet. Early in the morning, people came from all directions against the cold wind. They range from gray-haired elderly people on crutches to children who have just entered elementary school. The "Song of Thoughts" reverberates gently and repeatedly, and people line up to lay flowers under the sacrificial wall to express their condolences.

At the site of the ruins of Xuankou Middle School in Yingxiu Town, people stood solemnly to remember the deceased. Photo by An Yuan

The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the most destructive, widespread, and disaster-saving earthquake since the founding of New China, profoundly changed the life trajectory of everyone who experienced it. In the past 15 years, the Wenchuan earthquake area has been reborn in ruins, and the people who have experienced this catastrophe have gradually come out of the haze of the earthquake, optimistically welcomed life, and "shone" in their respective fields.

"Coke Boy" Xue Qi

Became the director of the "Coca-Cola World Chengdu" museum

"Uncle, I want to drink Coke, I want to freeze." Fifteen years ago, after being rescued from the ruins of a school for 15 hours, Xue Feng used this phrase to "amuse sad China", and he was affectionately called "Coke Boy" by netizens.

After losing his right arm due to the earthquake, Xue Feng still infected everyone around him with his positivity and optimism. After graduating from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2013, Xue came to work for COFCO Coca-Cola Sichuan and became the director of the "Coca-Cola World Chengdu" museum.

Xue Feng participates in volunteer activities. Photo courtesy of interviewee

When helping tourists make reservations to visit the museum, Xue Feng is often asked if it was the 'Coke Boy' of the year." Xue Feng split the "Coke Boy", which he believes is not only "a boy who wants to drink Coke", but also "a boy who can be optimistic".

Xue served as the torchbearer for the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games. Photo courtesy of interviewee

From volunteers who "donated one yuan to deliver nutrition to students in disaster-stricken areas" to helping poor students in Liangshan and Bazhong, Xue Feng has organized and participated in hundreds of volunteer activities in the past 15 years. "Whether it is becoming a torchbearer for the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games or a volunteer for the Chengdu Universiade, I hope to do what I can to pass on positive energy such as courage and kindness to more people." In Xue Qi's view, while helping others, you can also reap the purest happiness.

"Flash girl" Hu Yue

Deliver a positive attitude towards life

Fifteen years ago, 15-year-old Hu Yue was buried under the rubble and unfortunately lost her left leg. Hu Yue, who is naturally optimistic and loves sports, did not suffer from amputation, but continued to try various difficult sports. In 12, Hu Yue also took her "little steel legs" to participate in the opening ceremony performance of the Beijing Winter Paralympics. Today's Hu Yue has gained many "fans" on the Internet because of shooting videos of wearing prosthetics, skateboarding and various challenges, and everyone calls her "Flash Girl".

When Hu Yue was a child. Photo courtesy of interviewee

Today, Hu Yue also released a short video through the short video platform, which tells all the things that have happened to her in the past 15 years and her mental journey. "I hope to be able to encourage everyone with this film, to get out of my own haze, and to share my own light with everyone." Hu Yue said.

Hu Yue skateboards shuttle through the streets. Photo courtesy of interviewee

Today, Hu Yue, who loves sports, is engaged in short video work. "I've been skateboarding for more than a decade since my amputation, and sports are an integral part of my life for me." Hu Yue said that she is currently doing a "challenge to learn 99 sports", and now she has learned paragliding, and will learn more extreme sports in the future. Hu Yue also hopes to pass on some of her experiences and love for sports to everyone.

"Steel-legged girl" Niu Yu

Fulfill more social responsibility

Niu Yu had a similar experience with Hu Yue. After the devastating Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, Niu Yu, then 11 years old, had his right leg amputated below the thigh. However, Niu Yu's life was not limited by this, but began a more positive and sunny life. She is known for her identity as a "steel-legged girl" and has more than 200 million "fans" on the short video platform.

Niu Yu stepped on the "mechanical steel leg" and appeared on the runway of Shanghai Fashion Week. Photo courtesy of interviewee

In 2021, Niu Yu stepped on the "mechanical steel leg" to appear on the runway of Shanghai Fashion Week; In 2022, she served as the part-time deputy secretary of the Mianyang Municipal Party Committee of the Communist Youth League; In 2023, Niu Yu was elected as a deputy to the Sichuan Provincial People's Congress... Not only that, Niu Yu also participated in some public welfare activities, went to Tibet to support teaching, and in some sharing meetings, by sharing his own stories, he brought more confidence to people with disabilities.

"I think the biggest change I've had in the past 15 years has probably gone from self-doubt to self-acceptance." Niu Yu said that after experiencing life and death, it is easier to feel the beauty that life gives.

Niu Yu performing his duties. Photo by Lv Yang

Today's Niu Yu has become popular on the Internet, performing new duties and harvesting sweet love, but she has not stopped. Recently, Niu Yu has been busy launching her new book, which tells Niu Yu's life experience and thoughts. Niu Yu said that he hopes that the content of the book can enable friends in the haze to find themselves and regain confidence in life.

"Wenchuan brother" Zhang Zili

Use your own strength to hold up the hope of life

At the time of the Wenchuan earthquake, Zhang Zili, then 6 years old, was attending elementary school. "Shortly after the earthquake, the PLA and firefighters came to us, rescued us and moved us to makeshift tents, and at night it was dark and the aftershocks kept and we huddled together in fear." Zhang Zili said that several brothers in military uniforms taught them to sing, telling them, "Don't be afraid, we are here." ”

Zhang Zili was safely evacuated with his baby in his arms during the Luding earthquake rescue. Photo courtesy of Aba Forest Fire Detachment

The image of Zhang Zili safely transferring his baby in his arms during last year's Luding 6.8 magnitude earthquake touched countless netizens, and he was also known as "Wenchuan brother". "The reason why I am called 'Brother Wenchuan' is not only because the armband of my clothes has the word 'Wenchuan' written on it, but also because I experienced the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008." Zhang Zili said.

"From that time on, I had a dream: to be like them. The moment I passed the selection and joined the national comprehensive fire rescue team, I told myself that I must be a qualified firefighter to save more people! Since joining the forest firefighting team in May 2022, Zhang Zili has also been practicing the belief in his heart.

Zhang Zili (third from left) and his teammates complete their mission. Photo courtesy of interviewee

Luding earthquake rescue, Guang'an Linshui, Luzhou Hejiang County forest fire fighting and Hunan Xintian mountain fire fighting have Zhang Zili's figure. The children rescued 15 years ago began to protect others and use their own strength to hold up the hope of life, and the relay of life never stopped.

"National Earthquake Relief Hero Youth" Lin Hao

Be a transmitter of "great love"

When the Wenchuan earthquake struck, Lin Hao, who was attending Yingxiu Primary School, crawled out of the rubble, rescued two classmates, led the classmates to sing, encouraged the classmates to persevere, and comforted the crying female classmates.

In 2008, Lin Hao was awarded the title of "National Earthquake Relief Hero Youth", and became the national flag bearer of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in the same year; In 2011, Lin Hao participated in the filming of "China's National Image Promotional Video"; At the beginning of 2023, Lin Hao chose to return to Yingxiu to return to his hometown to start a business, and served as the deputy secretary of the part-time Youth League Committee of Yingxiu Town... Lin Hao bluntly said that he has not changed in the past 15 years, he is still the "mountain liva" who wants to contribute to his hometown, and he will still follow the footsteps of "little heroes" and contribute to the development of his hometown.

Lin Hao volunteered locally. Photo by Ho Mei-kun

Today, Lin Hao is a well-known "publicity ambassador" in Yingxiu Town. In addition to returning to his hometown to start a homestay, he is also a Wenchuan youth volunteer. Not only that, Lin Hao will broadcast live on the short video platform every day, bringing thousands of netizens to "cloud tour" Yingxiu, showing the changes in his hometown and people's lives, introducing the process of Yingxiu's post-disaster reconstruction, and popularizing disaster prevention and mitigation knowledge.

"I hope to do my job well in a down-to-earth manner, call on more young people to return to their hometowns, and work together to provide advice around the development of their hometowns, and become a transmitter of 'great love'." Lin Hao said.

Their colorful lives are a microcosm of those who experienced the Wenchuan earthquake. Not only them, but also the experts and scholars who participated in the rescue after the Wenchuan earthquake have become academic leaders in the field of disaster prevention and mitigation in China.

Thanks to the efforts of countless researchers, China has established an earthquake early warning network covering 2008.240 million square kilometers from scratch since <>, the largest in the world, and landslide early warning technology has also entered the forefront of the world.

From May 5 to 13, the 14 Wenchuan Marathon will be held, and Xue Qi, Niu Yu and other witnesses will also witness the new appearance of Wenchuan in the run together with 2023,<> runners around the world.

Authors: Zhu Huan, He Shaoqing, Chen Xuanbin, Lv Yang, He Meikun, Yang Yuxi, Shan Peng, An Yuan

Source: China News Service WeChat public account