Leaving a tip in a restaurant is not uncommon, but one young construction worker in China has a special reason for doing so – and he got a tip from a restaurant owner.
According to a report by the Zhejiang Daily, Zheng Liuzhuang ordered noodles and a drink at a restaurant in the southern Chinese city of Foshan in May.
When he finished his meal, the bill was only 20 yuan, but he paid 200 yuan ($28) via the social media app WeChat and left.
Restaurant owner Xu Yuliang thought the customer had accidentally added an extra zero and overpaid, so he ran out into the street to look for him.
But Zheng told Xu he had deliberately overpaid after reading a poster on the restaurant’s door.
“If you are struggling to make ends meet and have no income, you can come here and eat for free. When you become rich in the future, don’t forget to help those in need,” the sign read.
The restaurateur has been offering free meals to people who can’t afford to pay since he opened the establishment three years ago.
He said that many years ago, when he was a migrant worker, he once lost all his money, but the owner of a small hardware store helped him out.
“He saved me from the brink of starvation and I will never forget that for the rest of my life. That’s why I want to do something to help people in difficult situations,” Xu said.
Zheng, a 24-year-old construction worker, said he decided to donate after reading a news article about the organization providing free meals to penniless people.
After the company learned of his charitable efforts at the restaurant, they awarded him a certificate and cash as a reward for being a “positive energy model.” He kept the certificate and returned the money to his employer.
“This certificate means a lot and is enough for me,” Zheng said.
“Zheng Liuzhuang’s donation is a recognition of my charity work providing free meals. His action warms my heart,” Xu said.
The news garnered more than one million likes on social media in mainland China, including on Weibo and Douyin platforms.
“Kudos to you two kind-hearted people,” one online observer said.
“I hope this restaurant thrives and this young man is successful in his career. Good karma will come to them,” said another.
