A manual labourer who touched the hearts of Chinese internet users 15 years ago with the sacrifices he made for his toddler child has received a Father’s Day gift from his now young adult son.
“Father, please take care of your health. I hope I can share a bit of your pressure,” said Ran Junchao, 18, who used his pocket money to buy a watch and a coat for Ran Guanghui.
The heartfelt gesture has moved online observers, especially when people discovered the way Ran senior supports his family.
Ran works as a bang bang porter, a specialist job in Chongqing, southwestern China, which requires physical strength to transport goods for customers by carrying them on your back.
Bangbang labourers used to thrive in Chongqing, known as Mountain City because of its terrain, which vehicles found difficult to navigate.
They became known as bang bang porters because that is how locals referred to the thick bamboo poles they used to do their job.
In recent years, the type of work has diminished due to technological advances. Also, very few young people are willing to take up such a labour-intensive job.
