The sad ending of the love story of an arm.less wife marrying a ha.lf-bo.died husband
In 2018, the image of A Qiu, a woman missing her right arm, carrying her husband Xiao Ba, who had lost both legs, at a train station, moved countless people on Chinese social media. Before gaining media attention, the couple had already been together for nearly a decade.
Xiao Ba, born and raised in Chengdu, Sichuan, lost his legs at age 20 after being hit by an out-of-control truck. After waking up in the hospital and realizing his legs were gone, Xiao Ba attempted suicide but failed. Later, he joined a support group for people with disabilities, where he met a girl named A Qiu.
Xiao Ba and A Qiu when they were still together
"I loved her at first sight. A Qiu stood out with her looks and figure. If it hadn’t been for her accident, her life might have been very different," Xiao Ba once said about their fateful meeting. When she was ten, A Qiu suffered an electric shock and had to have part of her right arm amputated.
Sharing similar life experiences, they kept in touch and soon fell in love. After a year, they decided to live together.
Once they were together, A Qiu ordered a custom-made bamboo basket that fit Xiao Ba’s torso so she could carry him around more easily. Despite his lack of legs, the weight of an adult man was no small burden for the slender A Qiu. Yet she never complained, perhaps driven by love’s strength.
"Since I don’t have legs, A Qiu would take me wherever I wanted to go. She doesn’t have a right arm, so I’d help her with whatever she needed to carry," Xiao Ba said of their life together. With support from both families, they eventually held a wedding and had a beautiful daughter.
If the story had ended there, it would have been a happily-ever-after. But life has a way of surprising us.
A few years ago, as short videos exploded in popularity across China, Xiao Ba began recording and posting their daily life on social media. Their story — “I’ll be your arms, and you’ll be my legs” — captured people’s hearts. Their love story, as touching as something from a fairy tale, resonated widely. Many netizens cheered them on and sincerely wished for the couple to grow old together.
The happy family of A Qiu and Xiao Ba when they made a short video.
As the couple’s videos gained popularity, sponsors reached out, and their life became easier. Their rising fame and income led Xiao Ba to say, “It’s unbelievable.” But soon, troubles arose.
With newfound fame, Xiao Ba’s daily routine involved filming and interacting with fans, whereas A Qiu, who was introverted, disliked the idea of making money from their family story and wanted a stable job instead. They began arguing, as Xiao Ba favored his current lifestyle: “It’s easy and brings fame.”
With fame and money, Xiao Ba attracted the intense attention of a female fan, eventually succumbing to temptation. When faced with an “ideal love” in a healthy body, Xiao Ba initially deceived his wife and later decided to divorce her. Without resistance, A Qiu, holding back tears, took their daughter and returned to her hometown, ending over a decade of marriage. Before leaving, she told him, “It’s a pity that my best years and my best love were wasted on you.”
Xiao Ba with his new girlfriend after breaking up with his wife
Xiao Ba then moved in with his “true love” and planned to continue earning money by showcasing their romance through short videos. However, he was heavily criticized online for his infidelity. Without A Qiu, Xiao Ba’s fame declined sharply, and his income dwindled. This time, no one felt sympathy for him.
