Chinese parents are known for their willingness to do whatever for the happiness of their children, and for Yang Qinji, a 68-year-old father, the case is even more so.

On March 27, 2007, Yang ended his life by jumping into the Salisbury sea in Hong Kong, one day after he managed to help his 29-year-old daughter meet her icon, Hong Kong pop star Andy Lau, leaving a posthumous letter pleading Lau to meet his daughter for another time, reported sina.com, a leading Chinese web portal.

A 12-year craze for pop singer

Yang Lijuan, the daughter, fell strongly for Lau after having a dream about him - a picture in her room bearing the words "You walk close to me, and we fell in love with each other." She quitted school since then, and turned into a full-time die-hard fan of Andy Lau.

Over the past 12 years, she has, through various means, expressed her admiration for Lau, and attended his concerts or fan meetings whenever possible, paying two trips to Hong Kong and six to Beijing.

Unwilling to see their daughter's heart broken, Yang's parents, especially the father, a retired middle school teacher, have stood by her all these years, trying to meet her demands. In October 2004, the father even accompanied his daughter to attend a Lau's concert at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing.

However, the daughter's craze for Lau also caused huge economic burden to the not-so-rich family.

In 2004, in order to raise money for her daughter's second trip to Hong Kong, the father sold their house, and the family has since lived in a rented house. In 2006, he even considered selling his kidney to pay his daughter's third Hong Kong trip, causing a media outcry.

"We have no choice. We feel our hearts aching to see the child tortured. We only hope things will change after a meet with the icon." the father was quoted as saying during an interview.

In response to the reports, Lau called Yang Li Juan to stop her overdone act. "I hate those unfilial people who are selfish and show little respect and concern for their parents, and I will not care the fans who hope to see me through unhealthy means."

Daughter wants more than a meet, father commits suicide

The dreamed meet finally came on March 25, 2007, on the birthday celebration party of Anday Lau who met Yang Lijuan and other fans and took photo with her. But the women was still far from satisfied, which the father attributed to Lau's failure to arrange a private meeting with her.

He threatened death if a private meeting with Lau is not arranged before committing suicide a day later.

In a 12-page posthumous letter, he blamed Lau for the family tragedy and slammed him as "selfish", pleading him to "meet Yang Lijuan, sign for her and save her."

As response, Lau's agency Wednesday issued a statement expressing their shock at the man's death and showed three pictures the star had taken with Yang Lijuan.

"In consideration of the family, Andy is reluctant to show these pictures to the public," the agency said in a statement. "However, we don't want people think Yang was lying."

Despite losing her father, Yang Lijuan was still immersed in her dream on the star, persisting in a private meeting and a signature from Lau.

"I want to meet Andy Lau and tell him I am not an unfilial daughter." she said.

Stars: Love yourselves before loving us

Amid widespread media attention, many stars also expressed their opinions on the event, showing their sympathy for the family while condemning their irrational action.

Song Jia, a film star, was stunned by the news, but said it is ok to worship a star as long as that dose not hurt the family or self. "Live a good life of yourself before loving me!"

Hai Quan, a member of the pop band Yu Quan, urged the fans to be responsible to themselves.

"The Yangs's acts are beyond the understanding of normal people. I'm wondering if Yang Lijuan ever thought to take responsibility for her crazy behavior. But this has nothing to do at all with Andy Lau. Not a single entertainer or agency can even meet their demands."