Refer China: She Woke from a Coma, Expose Her ‘Devoted’ BF as Her Attacker。。。

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A story that once made headlines in China as a heartbreaking tale of devotion has been revealed to be a horrific case of long-term domestic abuse, exposing the dangerous masks that abusers can wear.

A woman in China woke from a coma, only to reveal that her boyfriend, who spent 200,000 yuan on her care, had abused her. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu

The story begins in 2013 when 20-year-old Lin Yingying from Liaoning province met Liu Fenghe online. Their relationship seemed to flourish, and they started a bakery business together. But the dream quickly shattered when Liu called Lin's father, claiming she had "fallen" at the shop and suffered a severe head injury.

Lin slipped into a deep coma. What followed was a carefully crafted public performance by Liu. For two months, he played the role of the devoted partner, caring for her around the clock and sinking nearly 200,000 yuan (US$28,000) into debt to pay for her medical care. His vow, "I will stay with my girlfriend for the rest of my life," moved the nation, earning him the public title of the "most devoted boyfriend."

For two months, Liu, left, dedicated himself to her care, assisting her with daily tasks like changing her diapers, turning her in bed, and massaging her. Photo: Handout

The Truth Emerges

Miraculously, Lin woke up about half a year later. However, Liu's behavior changed. He began blocking her parents from visiting and eventually cut off all contact, citing the need to work and pay off debts.

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It was not until April 2015, as Lin regained her ability to speak, that the terrifying truth came out. Through tears, she told her grandmother that her injuries were no accident. After she burned some bread, Liu had struck her in the head with a rolling pin. "I only remember falling, feeling my ears bleed, and losing consciousness," she recalled.

The abuse, she disclosed, was not a one-time event. Liu had a history of violence, having beaten her on multiple previous occasions and forcing her to hide her injuries. After her recovery, he threatened to "kill her entire family" if she ever told anyone.

Eventually, Lin was taken back to her family's home for proper care, and Liu severed contact with her, justifying his departure by claiming he needed to work to settle debts incurred from her medical expenses. Photo: Handout

A Lenient Sentence and a New Beginning

Liu was eventually arrested in 2016. During questioning, he showed no remorse, insisting he had done his best to atone for his actions. The court sentenced him to three years in prison for intentional injury, with a five-year probation, and ordered him to pay 250,000 yuan in compensation.

The recent release of this case file by the Liaoning Court has sparked a widespread public discussion on domestic violence in China, coinciding with an All-China Women's Federation report indicating a troublingly high domestic violence rate of 35.7% in 2024.

Online, support poured in for Lin. "Liu is a two-faced devil. Women must never hide when their rights are violated – use the law to protect yourselves!" one netizen commented. Another added, "I am so glad Lin is starting a new chapter. She is truly brave."

Recent reports confirm that Lin is recovering well and can now take care of herself, finally opening a new, peaceful chapter in her life.