In a small eatery located in Yunnan province, southwestern China, a touching story unfolded that managed to capture the hearts of thousands. Liu Yanxi, a sweet-natured 10-year-old, was dining with her father when she noticed two uniformed police officers settling down at a nearby table. The sight of these officers enjoying their bowl of noodles stirred something within Liu, a girl who had always held immense admiration for the police force since her younger days.
Drawing inspiration from her own affection towards the men and women in blue, Liu decided to secretly cover the cost of their meal. She leaned over to her father, eyes sparkling with sincerity, and softly voiced her wish. “Can I pay for the police officers? They get wet in the rain,” she remarked, referencing the difficult job these officers undertake, often in challenging weather conditions. With her father’s nod of approval, Liu promptly scanned the QR code with his phone, completing the payment process. The duo then discreetly left the establishment.
Upon finishing their meal, the officers approached the counter, ready to settle the bill. To their astonishment, they were informed by the restaurant staff that their bill had already been taken care of. Pointing to the spot where Liu and her father had been seated, the staff member briefly narrated the heartwarming tale. Officer Zhang, one of the beneficiaries of this kind act, expressed his gratitude with genuine surprise. “Oh, thank you,” he uttered, deeply touched by the unexpected gesture.
Feeling compelled to express his appreciation, Officer Zhang narrated the incident on WeChat, which led him to Liu’s residence. Grateful for her heartwarming gesture, Zhang and his colleague decided to personally thank Liu. They presented her with a backpack, some stationery, and cartons of milk, symbols of their heartfelt gratitude.
Liu’s father, when asked about his daughter’s spontaneous act of generosity, could only muster a proud and simple response: “I’m very happy.”
Liu’s kind act resonated widely online, amassing over 12,000 comments on Douyin. Many were moved to tears, while others praised the young girl’s empathetic nature. “I’m so touched I’m going to cry. The girl is very kind,” commented a user. Another added, “It may be a small act of kindness, but it deeply warms me.”
Such stories, showcasing profound respect towards police officers, often gain immense popularity in China. Like the young girl who, after being comforted by a police officer post a car accident, chose to don a child’s police costume every day. Or the little boy who offered three salutes to an officer as a sign of gratitude for her help with his identity card.
In a world that often seems divided, acts of kindness like Liu’s serve as heartening reminders of the underlying humanity that binds us all.
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