From Armless Third Son to Armless Superhero
    On the sidewalk of Longkou West Road in Beijing, urban men and women carrying large and small bags bustled about in the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, a crowd of about ten people had gathered spontaneously, forming a circle, with Guo Yibo at its center.
 
    Guo Yibo, a native of the same hometown as Wu Xun, was born on February 11, 1980, into a poor peasant family in Jia Town, Guan County, Shandong Province. Due to his family's difficult circumstances, he dropped out of junior high school at the age of 17 and moved to Beijing in search of opportunities, becoming part of the “Beijing drifters”—young people from other provinces who come to Beijing in search of work.
 
    He was diligent and eager to learn, and after a few years, he was hired as a chef at a Beijing restaurant, leading a relatively stable life.
 
    On December 12, 2003, a gas explosion occurred at the restaurant where Guo Yibo worked, engulfing him in flames and leaving him disfigured. Critical condition notices poured in like snowflakes, reaching the hands of Guo Yibo's elderly father.
 
    Over the next two years of intensive treatment, he underwent 14 major and minor surgeries. At times, he went nearly a month without drinking a single drop of water. Each surgery was a grueling ordeal, and on several occasions, he nearly didn’t survive the operating table. Though he miraculously survived, he was left with over 2 million New Taiwan Dollars in medical bills.
 
    Unable to bear the memories, Guo Yibo and his parents relied on each other for survival. They once wandered from place to place, begging for food. During the hardest times, they even scavenged through trash, slept on the streets, and survived on just one meal a day.
 
    What is most admirable is that Fang Xiufang, an extraordinary woman from Zhejiang Province, stepped forward during Guo Yibo's life-and-death struggle, married him despite the odds, and has been by his side 24/7, caring for him as he fought for his life. Her unwavering devotion in times of adversity truly reveals the depth of her love.
 
    Fang Xiufang's unwavering support has inspired Guo Yibo's will to live.
 
    Under the meticulous care of his wife, Fang Xiufang, Guo Yibo spent most of his time at home, except for hospital visits. One day, at his wife's insistence, they watched a TV program about people without arms writing with their mouths. This deeply inspired him, and he resolved to practice writing, determined to master one thing.
 
    With her cultural sophistication, Fang Xiufang selected various calligraphy manuals and guided Guo Yibo through the progression from oracle bone script to small seal script and large seal script, from clerical script to regular script and cursive script, and finally to semi-cursive script and semi-cursive cursive script.
 
    Next, Guo Yibo also tried using his feet and mouth to practice in various calligraphy styles, including the Ouyang style (Ouyang Xun), Yan style (Yan Zhenqing), Zhao style (Zhao Mengfu), Liu style (Liu Gongquan), and the slender gold style (Song Weizong). Among these, the Yan style and Liu style are both regular script, while Wang Xizhi is the representative of running script.
 
    From Guo Yibo's over 10,000 practice sketches, Fang Xiufang identified the most suitable model for him to emulate: the Cao Quan Stele, a rare masterpiece of Eastern Han Dynasty clerical script. It features an elegant and graceful appearance, clear and flowing strokes, and a harmonious balance between roundness and squareness. The dots and strokes are meticulously executed, with well-defined beginnings and ends, full and rounded forms, and balanced main strokes.
 
    From then on, Guo Yibo taught himself, taking the “Cao Quan Stele” as his mentor. Under Fang Xiufang's wholehearted encouragement, he practiced tirelessly for 17 years. His story of writing with his mouth spread far and wide, attracting many people from nearby villages to watch him write. Gradually, he opened up and began interacting with others.
 
    Guo Yibo regarded the streets as his university of rebirth, deeply grateful for the guidance from calligraphers across the straits and the appreciation from friends from all corners of the world who paused to admire his work. He was especially grateful to Zhang Yongsheng, the chairman of Taiwan's Hi-Q, for his sustained charitable purchases and acts of kindness.
 
    What is most commendable is that Guo Yibo, with his hands always open to give, quietly gave back to those less fortunate. Everyone will never forget the spring of 2008, when a snowstorm in southern China left tens of thousands of passengers stranded at Shenzhen Railway Station, starving and freezing. The first person to personally deliver thousands of packets of instant noodles to share warmth was Guo Yibo. Thus, the name of the armless third son, Guo Yibo, spread from the internet to every corner of the world.
 
    From there, Guo Yibo rose from the ashes, transforming from a young chef on the brink of death into a master calligrapher through relentless effort. He wrote a legend with his life, forged a myth with optimism, upheld hope with perseverance, and assisted the disadvantaged through giving back. He truly deserves the title of “China's Armless Calligraphy Master.” From among 2,893 candidates recommended by people from all walks of life around the world for the “Love for Life Award,” he stood out and was honored with the “2021 24th Global Love for Life Award” by the Zhou Daguan Cultural and Educational Foundation in Taiwan.
 
    This foundation welcomes recommendations from people around the world for those who embody effort, kindness, courage, and achievement as “life warriors.” (Taiwan Zhou Daguan Cultural and Educational Foundation Global Award for Love of Life Nomination Hotline: 886-2-29178770, Fax: 886-2-29178768, Address: 3rd Floor, No. 52 Mingde Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan, Website: http://www.ta.org.tw, e-mail: ta88ms17@gmail.com).
 
Rebirth from the Brink of Disaster
    Guo Yibo, born in Jia Town, Guan County, Shandong Province, came to Beijing to work after graduating from junior high school due to his family's difficult circumstances. He worked as a chef in a restaurant.
 
    On December 12, 2003, while cooking in the kitchen, Guo Yibo noticed that the gas had run out. He called a colleague to help replace the gas cylinder.
 
    After the gas was replaced, Guo Yibo turned on the stove to continue cooking. However, as soon as he opened the stove, the newly replaced gas cylinder suddenly exploded. Guo Yibo was blown out of the kitchen by the blast and lost consciousness.
 
    Forty minutes later, Guo Yibo was rescued from the flames. When he regained consciousness, his entire body was wrapped in white bandages, and both his arms had been amputated.
 
    The fire left him disfigured beyond recognition, and critical condition notices poured in like snowflakes, reaching the hands of Guo Yibo's elderly father.
 
    Over the next two years of intensive treatment, he underwent 14 major and minor surgeries, sometimes going nearly a month without drinking water. Each surgery was a torturous ordeal, and on several occasions, he nearly did not survive the operating table.
 
    Though he narrowly escaped death, he was left with over 2 million New Taiwan Dollars in medical bills.
 
    This sudden misfortune shattered Guo Yibo's family. His parents wept daily, and Guo Yibo felt utterly lost. He didn't know where his future lay or what he could possibly do without his arms.
 
    “At that time, I felt that my life was over. Rather than live on and be a burden to my parents and beloved wife, I might as well die,” Guo Yibo said.
 
    However, seeing his elderly parents and thinking of their unwavering care, especially his wife Fang Xiufang's unwavering support, he hesitated.
 
Love and Courage—Let Hope Take Flight
    No matter how bitter or difficult life may be, there is always hope and value.
 
    Guo Yibo recalled the accident on December 12, 2003, which not only destroyed his dream of becoming a chef but also ruined his life.
 
    At the time, Guo Yibo, who had just become a chef, rushed bravely toward the fire to extinguish it but was blown out of the kitchen by the explosive force of the fire.
 
    He lost consciousness and was unconscious.
 
    When he regained consciousness, he was met with unbearable pain, especially in his severely burned arms, which were so badly burned that his ribs were visible, just 1 centimeter away from his internal organs. To save his life, both arms had to be amputated, a procedure that was excruciatingly painful. He spent over two years in the hospital, undergoing 14 major surgeries, each a life-or-death ordeal, and accumulated over 2 million New Taiwan Dollars in medical bills.
 
    At the time, Fang Xiufang, who had come from afar to marry Guo Yibo, refused to leave him despite the pleas of relatives and friends. She remained steadfast in her duty as a wife, sharing his hardships with love and courage. She cared for Guo Yibo around the clock, attending to his daily needs and medical care, while also arranging for all medical expenses. Her dedication moved the hospital to grant her a payment plan for the medical bills.
 
    Under Fang Xiufang's encouragement, Guo Yibo has practiced calligraphy diligently for 17 years. His hard work has paid off, and he has made a name for himself in the street university, where he has carved out a new life.
 
    Guo Yibo and Fang Xiufang, who rely on each other for survival, have sustained hope in their tiny rented apartment of less than 6 square meters. Not only have they gradually paid off the medical expenses, but they have also joyfully welcomed the blessings of life, giving birth to their little daughter Guo Sitong, who is now 4 years old. She has become a great helper to her parents—fetching paper and pens—and has even vowed to become a renowned doctor one day to heal her father and all other critically ill patients.
 
    Life is both a test and a reward, but it is only granted to those who put in the effort.
 
    Guo Yibo and Fang Xiufang have together created a legend of overcoming life's winter, letting hope take flight.
 
Seeking a breakthrough in life
    Guo Yibo spent most of his time at home, afraid that his appearance might scare others. The abundance of free time left him feeling restless.
 
    One day, at his wife Fang Xiufang's insistence, they watched a TV program about people without arms who wrote with their mouths. Seeing how they overcame various difficulties through their own efforts and achieved self-worth gave Guo Yibo great inspiration.
 
    Guo Yibo gained confidence. He believed that if others could do it, so could he. Though he had lost his arms, he still had his legs and feet. As long as he remained steadfast in his belief, he was certain he would succeed.
 
    When he first began learning to write, he encountered difficulties. Having only completed junior high school and never having studied calligraphy before, he had no teacher to guide him. He spent hours copying character templates, holding the brush tightly in his mouth from morning to night. Even when it was time to eat, chewing his food was a struggle.
 
    Perseverance paid off. Guo Yibo's story of writing with his mouth spread throughout the surrounding villages, and many people came to see him write. He gradually opened up and began interacting with others.
 
    At first, he wrote with his feet, but sitting on the ground for long periods of time took a toll on his body, and his feet weren't as agile. Many times, a single mistake would ruin an entire piece.
 
    When he wasn’t writing, Guo Yibo would go to antique markets to watch others write, discuss calligraphy with teachers, listen to their experiences, study calligraphy manuals, and copy ancient inscriptions to analyze their brushwork and lines.
 
    “No matter what, perseverance is my only choice. Although my body is not convenient, there is always a solution to every problem. We must strive to overcome these difficulties, and one day we will see the results,” Guo Yibo said.
 
    Eventually, his calligraphy was recognized by society, and he became a member of the Beijing Calligraphy Association and was selected as a “Role Model of Perseverance in Adversity” by the China Youth Cultural Arts Foundation.
 
Bravely Venturing into the Street University
    Gradually, Guo Yibo's health improved, and he and his wife decided to have a child. However, their family situation could not afford the expenses of raising a child. It wasn't until 2016, after all medical bills were paid off, and that the couple welcomed their little bundle of joy. Though the burden grew heavier, this also gave Guo Yibo greater motivation to work harder, inspiring him to write even more diligently—not only to support his family and raise his daughter but also to give back to society.
 
    Guo Yibo often tells people, “Calligraphy has given me hope again. I enjoy the process of creation; I don't need to perform calligraphy to seek sympathy. I'm just being myself. During my toughest times, many kind-hearted people helped me, and the best way I can repay them is by staying strong and living on.”
 
    Over the past 17 years of braving the streets, the most unforgettable moment for Guo Yibo was on the afternoon of June 3, 2016. Zhou Jinhua, founder of the Taiwan Zhou Daguang Cultural and Educational Foundation; Zhang Yongsheng, chairman of the Taiwan United Anti-Cancer Association and Hi-Q Corporation; and a group of Taiwanese cancer survivors visited mainland China to encourage children with cancer. They happened to meet Guo Yibo on the street. Hi-Q Chairman Zhang Yongsheng immediately purchased all 30 calligraphy pieces on the spot, allowing Guo Yibo to write stories of hope with all his strength, spreading them across the strait to every corner of Taiwan.
 
    Looking back, Guo Yibo's life was once in shambles. He couldn't take care of himself, his wife stayed home to care for him full-time, and they had no income, plunging them into a difficult situation. Guo Yibo decided to take to the streets to write and sell his calligraphy.
 
    He always shaved his head, bare-chested, with a scar the size of a basin on his chest, his face bearing a touch of resilience as he bravely ventured into the streets.
 
    In a plastic bag, he carried folded sheets of square-shaped rice paper. He would use his feet to pull out a sheet, unfold it, and then bite a brush between his teeth, dipping it lightly into the inkstone like a dragonfly skimming the water. He would then lean forward, lower his head, and with swift, fluid strokes, a large character for “heaven” would come to life on the white paper. Finally, he took out a seal and carefully stamped it on the paper—“Guo Yibo’s Seal.”
 
    At first, he felt awkward, with no applause or shouts of praise, but Guo Yibo didn’t mind.
 
    He initially thought people were just drawn to his unusual appearance, but as more and more people praised his work, Guo Yibo gained confidence.
 
    Soon, someone approached him, dropped a 5-yuan note into the metal can in front of him, and Guo Yibo's face lit up with a smile, his eyes sparkling with vitality: “What character would you like?”
 
    Someone once offered to buy his calligraphy for a high price, but Guo Yibo refused. He said, “I'm just a rough-and-tumble guy from the north. I'm an honest man—what its worth is what it's worth.”
 
    In the end, the piece was sold for 100 yuan.
 
Giving back to society
    When Guo Yibo first started writing, many people helped him, including a passerby who bought one of his pieces for 50 yuan without hesitation.
 
    He said, “Some people call me a beggar, living off others' pity; others say I'm strong and can inspire others, but I just want to support myself and give back to others.”
 
    During the 2008 Spring Festival, southern China experienced its coldest winter on record, with hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded at train stations due to snowstorms, unable to return home.
 
    At that time, Guo Yibo quietly distributed 1,008 bowls of instant noodles to passengers stranded at the Shenzhen railway station.
 
    From then on, the nickname “The Armless Third Brother” gained widespread attention through media reports and spread online.
 
Life is a song; optimism forges legends.
    On the back of Guo Yibo's business card are these words: “Because of responsibility, we seek; because of dreams, we endure; because of ordinary, we are fearless; because of sincerity, we are at ease; because of confidence, we are optimistic.”
 
    His indomitable spirit has inspired many people. His strength and optimism also won the heart of a young woman, and now their daughter is four years old.
 
    He has a dream to help those who have helped him live happily and healthily.
 
    He has a dream to ensure his parents enjoy a peaceful retirement.
 
    He has a dream to encourage the helpless not to give up on their aspirations.
 
    He has a dream for everyone to remain hopeful about the future.
 
    He says, “Everyone has a dream in their heart. No matter what difficulties they encounter, as long as they persist, there is hope.”
 
    Selling calligraphy is not all that Guo Yibo does. He can use the internet, type with his feet, hold chopsticks in his mouth, and even has his own Weibo account, “Armless Superhuman's Spiritual Paradise, inspiring people across the straits and around the world who are fighting for life, encouraging everyone to live with hope.
 
   Guo Yibo hopes that in the near future, he can open a “Write Hope Calligraphy and Painting Store” and share his personal experiences to inspire more people to love life and care for others.
 
    Guo Yibo hopes to attend the Central Academy of Fine Arts to study calligraphy, using it to change himself, others, and the world.
 

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