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‘A true man’: Chinese boy touches hearts by promoting single mum’s small recycling business

A young boy from central China went viral after proudly promoting his burn-survivor mother’s street stall during a chance visit to a university football pitch.
On…

By Samantha Johnson / July 7, 2026

A young boy from central China went viral after proudly promoting his burn-survivor mother’s street stall during a chance visit to a university football pitch.

On June 28, eight-year-old Chunchun from Zhengzhou, Henan province, accompanied his mother to a local campus where he joined a casual football game.

Noticing students holding empty drink bottles, he stepped forward and, in full view of the crowd, began introducing his mother’s recycling business.

Noticing students holding empty drink containers, he confidently stepped forward to pitch his mother’s business — and received instant, overwhelming support. Photo: Douyin
Noticing students holding empty drink containers, he confidently stepped forward to pitch his mother’s business — and received instant, overwhelming support. Photo: Douyin

“My mum was badly burned. We collect recyclables and also sell slippers for 5 yuan (74 US cents) a pair. If you have waste items, you can find my mum,” he said, before politely thanking the students and wishing them academic success.

His candid pitch drew warm applause. Students handed over bottles and formed queues to buy slippers, with one even purchasing 10 pairs for her roommates.

Chunchun’s mother, surnamed Chen, was once a television host. After her divorce, she raised her son alone.

Moved by the boy’s heartfelt appeal, students eagerly handed over their used plastic bottles and formed long queues to buy slippers from the family. Photo: Douyin
Moved by the boy’s heartfelt appeal, students eagerly handed over their used plastic bottles and formed long queues to buy slippers from the family. Photo: Douyin

Five years ago, an explosion left her with burns covering 45 per cent of her body, resulting in severe disfigurement and the loss of several fingers. The cause of the incident has not been publicly disclosed.

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