The son of the couple once tried to persuade them to stop serving the patients, worrying the tiring works would affect their health. But the couple insisted that "helping the patients made them happy".
Wan and Xiong know well the hardships of families with cancer patients, which exhaust their energy, strength and money bit by bit in the prolonged process of medical treatment.
"Many of those coming here are cancer patients and their families who are going through tough times," said Wan.
They hope the food cooked in the "cancer kitchen" could provide some comfort to those suffering physically and help relieve some financial burden on their families.
"We can save some money by cooking here, and the nutrition is better," said Fang Zhihong, whose wife is receiving treatment for liver and lymphoma cancers.
Every year, nearly 10,000 people cook in the "cancer kitchen".
Many of them become friends with the couple. Some come to say goodbye when they leave.
A man in his 50s once spent three years in the cancer hospital, and he talked with Wan in the "cancer kitchen" every day. Later, when the man's conditions worsened, he was told to go back home. Before leaving, he insisted seeing Wan. And the two hugged each other and cried.
Having witnessed numerous deaths over the years, the couple has found their meaning of life.
"We and the patients are inseparable now. For us, without the patients, we would feel lonely, and for the patients, they would encounter difficulties without us," said Wan.
"I will help them as long as I am able to do," said Wan.
In 2019, local government funded the renovation of the "cancer kitchen", moving it indoors and equipping it with more than 20 cooking positions and ventilators.
Wan and Xiong were absent from the award ceremony of the "People Who Moved China in 2020" because they wanted to keep providing kitchen services to the patients during this year's Spring Festival holiday.
The annual TV program "People Who Moved China", launched by China Central Television in 2002, selects the country's 10 most inspiring individuals or groups every year.
