This combo photo shows an old man holds the destroyed banknotes (L) and the place where he hides his money(R). (Photo/West China News)
(ECNS) -- A 20,000 yuan ($3,000) bill hidden underground by an old man and destroyed by termites will be taken over by an artist who promised to pay the full amount and turn it into an art work, West China News reported.
Qi Shengli stored his savings in a plastic bag, placed it in a jar, and hid it in a hole he dug in Yuechi County, southwest China's Sichuan Province. He then covered it with a brick.
On Feb. 10, the 60-year-old found most of the money he had saved for his old age destroyed by termites.
The People's Bank of China said he could only recover about 600 yuan as the rest was in almost-unrecognizable pieces.
After reading the story in a newspaper, Beijing artist Hu Disheng contacted Qi and asked the old man to send him the shredded notes as well as the brick.
Though sad at his financial loss, Qi at first didn't want to take advantage of the offer, though he was later convinced thanks to Hu's insistence.
The artist said he planned to use the items to create an art project to raise people's awareness about living conditions among empty nesters in rural areas.
"Qi reminds me of my father who toiled to save every penny and sponsor my education," Hu explained.
