Three boys from southeastern China offered 10.5 yuan (US$1.5) to a convenience store owner on the brink of closing, igniting a wave of public support.
Five years after borrowing money to establish his convenience store in Guangzhou, Chen decided to shut down the shop as business continued to decline.
On August 12, three primary school boys visited the store, as they often did, to buy drinks. During a casual conversation, they learned that Chen was preparing to close the establishment.
One boy suggested that Chen take his business online, while another proposed they combine their pocket money to support him.
The trio then counted their savings and placed 10.5 yuan on Chen’s counter, despite his persistent refusals, before running off with a message of encouragement: “Hang in there!”
The sight of the crumpled banknotes brought Chen to tears.