(ECNS) -- In central China's Hunan Province, a shop owner who was sued by the family of an elderly man she tried to help has received 20,000 yuan ($2,975) in financial support on Monday, following a dispute that drew public attention to the risks of helping strangers.
Xiao Aihua, who runs a small game room in Hengyang City, called an ambulance Sunday after an elderly man entered her shop, said he felt unwell and then collapsed, according to local media reports and her son. The man later died, and his family questioned whether Xiao had provided adequate assistance and sought compensation from her.
Local authorities mediated the case and determined that Xiao was not legally liable. Her son, identified as Li, said the family ultimately agreed to pay 19,000 yuan in "humanitarian compensation" after negotiations, compared with an initial demand of 100,000 yuan.
On Monday afternoon, Gong Shengli, general manager of Qidong County Jintai Rice Industry Co. Ltd., visited Xiao and gave her 20,000 yuan in support, according to a post from the official "Hengyang Release" social media account.
"We are giving this money as a gesture of support so that your family does not suffer financially," Gong said, expressing hope that the gesture would encourage kindness and compassion.
Xiao expressed gratitude for the public support she had received, adding that she would still help others in need in the future.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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