Li Kangyu has hardly ever left his home in the past 30 years. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, he has been paralyzed and bedridden since he was 7.

But his life took an unexpected turn for the better when he met a Malaysian woman, Gan Suh Eng, through the QQ instant messaging service three years ago.

Despite being physically miles apart, they were drawn to each other.

Li Kangyu (left), who has been bedridden since he was 7 because of rheumatoid arthritis, is a motivational speaker and recently celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary to his Malaysian wife Gan Suh Eng. Chen Jie / For China Daily

"She has opened the windows of my soul," Li, 39, said.

A year ago, they exchanged wedding vows and began their life together at Li's hometown, a village in Tangshan, Hebei province.

Li described their love story, which has attracted widespread media attention, as a fairy tale.

To him, Gan is an angel sent from heaven. Her presence in his life has opened many doors.

Lying on a customized wheelchair donated by a good Samaritan, he can now enjoy the sunshine outside his home with Gan by his side.

Together they have traveled to Shanghai, Suzhou and other cities, where Li has been invited to give motivational talks.

"A Shanghai enterprise has shown interest in training me to become a motivational speaker," he said."A book on my life story is in the pipeline."

On Aug 2 they exchanged gifts to mark Chinese Valentine's Day. Li gave Gan a novelty ring that had a hidden clock face, while she surprised him with a blue striped tie.

Li wore a pink top he bought online specially for the occasion, and was delighted to learn that the pattern on the shirt featured Malaysia's national flower, the hibiscus.

"It was a happy coincidence," he said.

As Li spoke about their first year together as husband and wife, Gan sat next to him, stroking his head affectionately.

"In the blink of an eye a year has passed," he said. "We are both tolerant of and accommodating to each other's shortcomings. Our love has grown deeper."

Married life has also improved Li's health.

"I am about 5 kilograms heavier now and I have gained more muscle on my thigh," he said.

Gan, 36, from Selayang, was won over by Li's romantic and caring nature.

"Sometimes he will insist on helping me blow-dry my hair," the former employee of a Malaysian Christian NGO said.

The couple lead a simple life, surviving mostly on Li's financial assistance from the government.

Although it is a meager sum, Gan said the cost of living in the village is low, so they are doing fine.

Family members on both sides, who originally objected to their marriage, have now accepted it.

"My mother now cares about Li more than she cares about me," Gan joked. "She will ask to speak to him every time we talk on the phone, reminding him to take good care of himself and rest more."

They live in a room in the house of one of Li's sisters. It is furnished with a double bed and a sofa, and their wedding photos hang on the walls.

A small wooden table sits on the bed so Li can use his laptop. He cannot move his joints, so he operates the computer with a mouse placed near his right hip.

Looking ahead, Li dreams of having their own house and raising a child.

"We also want to start a charitable foundation to help the less fortunate," he said.

"It looks like a far-fetched goal, but I believe it will happen one day."

(China Daily 08/14/2014 page7)