Roughly a year ago, we reported on the touching story of a 2077 player. When a Chinese mother lost her son, Niu Niu, to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder, her world was shattered. Niu Niu was not just a loving son but also an avid gamer and a 3D model enthusiast with a particular fondness for Cyberpunk 2077 and the emerging culture of 2D/3D creations. In an attempt to honor her son's memory, the 50-year-old woman decided to plunge into the world her son so dearly loved—gaming and 3D modeling.
With little to no prior knowledge of the sub-culture, she began learning Cinema 4D, and 3D-printing and even started exploring the world of Cyberpunk 2077. Through online forums like Bilibili, QQ groups, and friends' support, she taught herself essential modeling skills. She fixed broken 3D printers, and learned about UV curing, slicing, and resizing models—all through sheer determination.
Qian Si Hu (Thousand Temple Fox) Store Page
Today, she manages Niu Niu’s shop on Xianyu, an online marketplace, where she sells his 3D models, particularly one-of-a-kind items like a Cyberpunk 2077 "RELIC" chip, a game item designed to store human consciousness. The shop’s following has grown from just over a thousand to nearly ten thousand, all resonating with the heartfelt journey of a mother keeping her son’s passion alive. While she’s been offered numerous donations, Auntie graciously declines, stating she’s not in it for the money but to continue her son's legacy.
Apart from this, Auntie is already known for her charitable activities, having sponsored four underprivileged children through college. She now plans to set up a public welfare fund with the money received after her son’s passing, aiming to assist more children in need.
Related: When a Mother Learns 3D Printing and Cyberpunk 2077 to Commemorate Her Late Son
Fast forward to the recent DLC update for "Cyberpunk 2077." A player stumbled upon something extraordinary: Niu Niu was memorialized as a Ripperdoc, a medical professional skilled at installing cyberwares. The mother confirmed that CD Projekt Red, the game's developer, had specially crafted this character in honor of her son.
Qian Si Hu Found in Game
The mother has always been vaguely aware of her son's love for "Cyberpunk 2077," particularly a character named Jonny Silverhand and an in-game item called "Relic" that can store memories. The latter was one of Niu Niu's proudest 3D-printed creations. Little did she know, her continued work not only preserved her son's hobbies but also immortalized him in the very game he loved.
As for the mother, she's still mastering 3D printing and using the donations she has received since going viral to help those in need.
Mother's Latest Mourning Post
In Night City, legends may not live forever, but love, as displayed by a mother's devotion and a game company's heartfelt tribute, proves to be everlasting.