Changchun, the most humane city, an 83-year-old grandmother was deeply moved by the actions of a six-year-old boy. Around 17:00 on June 3rd, a post appeared on Sina Weibo about an 83-year-old grandmother selling small brooms symbolizing "prosperous people and prosperous wealth" near the intersection of Tongzhi Street and Xikang Road (Weibo address). After the Weibo post was sent out, it received a wide response from netizens who commented enthusiastically, and some citizens even rushed to the scene to buy the brooms upon hearing the news. At around 18:30, a six-year-old child named Zhou Qiaoxi pre-emptively spent his pocket money, using 260 yuan to buy all of the grandmother's small brooms. The child's purpose was very simple: to let the grandmother go home early.
The Weibo post about the 83-year-old grandmother selling small brooms on the roadside quickly gained attention from netizens who actively responded with comments.
"At around 17:00, I found a highly forwarded post on Sina Weibo: 'On the opposite side of Hengkelong on Guilin Road, there is an 83-year-old elderly person selling small brooms that symbolize "prosperous people and prosperous wealth." If you happen to pass by and encounter this elderly person, please buy two brooms. Even if you really don't need them, one thing is for sure—you definitely want the elder to return home as soon as possible!' Immediately after the Weibo post was sent out, it received enthusiastic replies from netizens, reaching 12 comments within two hours, and the number of forwards reached 76. I discovered that this Weibo post was sent by a Changchun citizen surnamed Zhou via mobile phone."
Most netizens expressed that they would definitely buy one if they encountered such a situation. One netizen said, "Love has nothing to do with relationships but is closely related to one's heart. If your heart has love, you will help others; if you receive love, you will give back love."
In about half an hour, around 20 brooms were sold, and the enthusiastic citizens buying them did not haggle.
At around 17:30, I arrived at the intersection of Tongzhi Street and Xikang Road and saw this grandmother. At that time, the grandmother was sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk. On each side of her were plastic bags, and in front of her, a woven bag less than a meter long was laid on the ground, with about 30 small brooms placed on it. I noticed that this grandmother had gray hair, wearing a brown coat and black pants, and was tidying up the small brooms in front of her. There were two types of small brooms—large ones costing three yuan and small ones costing two yuan. I observed that these small brooms used materials similar to the grass stems used in straw mats, about five centimeters long, with one end tied with wire, and a red string attached to the wire.
Subsequently, I bought a small broom. The grandmother said that this small broom was a lucky charm, just in time for the Dragon Boat Festival, carrying it would bring "prosperous people and prosperous wealth." From 17:30 to around 18:00, I saw approximately ten or more citizens buy about 20 small brooms. Almost all the citizens did not bargain. A couple walked over to buy a small broom, and when the boyfriend was about to ask for a discount, he was immediately stopped by the girlfriend. "Seeing the grandmother work so hard, we feel extremely uncomfortable," remarked a citizen after buying two small brooms.
Around 18:00, the number of people buying small brooms suddenly increased, and the grandmother couldn't keep up. I immediately started helping the grandmother count the money and collect payments. After receiving the money, the grandmother repeatedly thanked each customer. When I asked if the grandmother had eaten, she laughed and said, "I almost forgot, I haven't eaten yet." Subsequently, the grandmother pulled out two steamed buns from the plastic bag beside her, eating while continuing to sell her small brooms.
The grandmother said she had been coming here to sell small brooms for 3 to 4 days. She came at 9:00 in the morning and didn't return home until around 21:00. Normally, she could make about 80 yuan a day, and on good days, she could earn around 100 yuan. These small brooms were purchased by a friend in Changchun, and she didn't know how much they cost. Her friend just let her sell them first.
The grandmother mentioned that her name was Zhang Guizhen (phonetic), she was 83 years old, from Leshan Town, Chaoyang District, Changchun City. Her husband passed away more than ten years ago, and she had been living alone ever since. Her family lived in the countryside, and due to financial difficulties, her children also lived in the countryside. Five years ago, she had come to Changchun to help take care of a child for a family, and now, five years had passed. The child missed her very much, so she specially came from Leshan. Due to the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival and her poor conditions, the child's parents helped her purchase these small brooms. "My children's living conditions are not good either, so I can't rely on anyone," the grandmother said sorrowfully when asked about her children and was reluctant to talk about it.
A warm-hearted little boy prepaid his pocket money to buy all the small brooms.
At the scene, I finally found Mr. Zhou, the Changchun citizen who posted the message on his mobile phone. "For elders like this selling something, we must buy some. Changchun is the most humane city, and we will definitely support Grandma." Mr. Zhou said that at around 14:00, he came to pick up his six-year-old son, Zhou Qiaoxi, from an English class near the intersection of Tongzhi Street and Xikang Road. While waiting for his son to finish class, he saw Grandma Zhang selling small brooms and immediately posted this matter on Weibo using his mobile phone.
At 18:30, Mr. Zhou's son, Zhou Qiaoxi, finished his English class and walked out of the classroom. Seeing the white-haired grandmother selling small brooms, he felt very sorry. Zhou Qiaoxi shook his father's hand and said, "Dad, Dad, let's buy all of Grandma's small brooms. I can prepay my pocket money." Curious, Mr. Zhou asked, "Why buy all the small brooms?" Looking into his father's eyes, Zhou Qiaoxi said, "Because I want Grandma to go home earlier!" Hearing his son's words, Mr. Zhou immediately agreed with his son's idea.
Subsequently, I counted the brooms with Zhou Qiaoxi—108! Zhou Qiaoxi prepaid 260 yuan from his pocket money and bought all the remaining small brooms. With a wave of "Goodbye, Grandma," Mr. Zhou and young Zhou Qiaoxi disappeared into the crowd. "Today is the earliest day I've finished work, seeing how obedient the child is, my heart feels so warm," the grandmother bid farewell to Mr. Zhou and his son with trembling hands.
(Reported by journalist Zhang Shijian, intern journalist Shi Ruolin, photography by journalist Shi Zhongwei) Welcome to leave comments and follow us on Weibo for today's hot topics (Editor: SN017).