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Wang Ranran, of Taian City, Shandong Province, and her fiance Zhang Xirui had been together for six years and registered their marriage late last year, the South China Morning Post reported.

They had planned to hold their wedding on April 25 but a cold treatment gone wrong changed their lives.

In January, Wang had a sore throat and, thinking she had the common cold, went to a clinic nearby for a check-up with her fiance, according to Swamp.

After a brief examination, a female staff member there prescribed medication and gave Wang an injection.

“At no point did they ask if Wang had any drug allergies, nor did they conduct a skin test,” Zhang told a local news outlet.

Minutes after the injection, Wang developed tongue numbness, vomiting and breathing difficulties. As her condition deteriorated, Zhang called an ambulance but she had already gone into shock by the time paramedics arrived.

“During this time, the clinic’s doctors were flustered and took no effective emergency measures,” Zhang said.

At the hospital, doctors diagnosed Wang with acidosis and respiratory failure caused by allergic shock. Her brain was deprived of oxygen for more than four minutes before treatment, resulting in severe and irreversible brain damage and a deep coma.

Zhang later filed a complaint against the clinic and sought legal assistance.

An investigation found the person who administered the injection was not a medical professional and the doctor who signed the prescription was not qualified to practice medicine.

By April 2026, the clinic had been shut down. The woman who gave the injection paid the family 200,000 yuan (US$29,000) before fleeing.

“My fiancé is still in a coma, and the medical bills have already exceeded 700,000 yuan. Now, we are taking turns caring for her, which prevents us from working. It is incredibly difficult.” Zhang said.

After 92 days in a coma Wang finally showed signs of recovery. On April 23, she regained consciousness, opened her eyes and smiled at Zhang, though she could not speak or move.

“Her beautiful eyes finally have life in them.” Zhang said. “Once you slip into your wedding dress, I will be there to marry you,” he told her.

The case is still under investigation, and compensation and legal responsibility have yet to be finalized.