200 strangers pack wedding banquet of shunned Chinese man, bringing roast pigs, private chefs

In a remote village in southwestern China, a groom named Xu faced the daunting prospect of an empty wedding reception. Facing years of stigma and bullying in his community for being an orphan, Xu sought solace and support through an online appeal. His video, posted on the platform Douyin, quickly went viral, garnering more than 600,000 likes and inspiring hundreds to offer their assistance.

Xu's story began in hardship – his father died when he was three and his mother remarried, leaving him and his older brother in the care of their grandmother. After high school, Xu worked various jobs to save up for his wedding, finally having enough to cover the bride price and ceremony costs. Worried about the appearance of a sparse guest list, Xu invited the entire village and posted an open invitation online, hoping for a few well-wishers to fill the seats.

The response was overwhelming, with nearly 200 guests arriving from across China to celebrate with him. The gifts ranged from home appliances and roast pigs to the services of private chefs. Attendees even journeyed great distances, with one traveler from Tibet driving over 2,200 kilometers just to congratulate Xu. Despite his initial request not to bring anything, guests generously brought gifts.

To accommodate the influx, local authorities managed traffic and moved the ceremony to a larger cultural plaza. As the feast concluded, Xu invited guests to explore the surrounding countryside and sample local apples. The outpouring of support from strangers provided Xu with an unforgettable dream wedding, one that symbolized the warmth and generosity of the internet community in celebrating the lonely, helpless child he once was.