{
  "id": 13109471,
  "title": "‘You’re not ugly’: Chinese driver’s kindness to blind passenger wins millions of hearts online",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/youre-not-ugly-chinese-drivers-kindness-to-blind-passenger-wins",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T12:11:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3370386/youre-not-ugly-chinese-drivers-kindness-blind-passenger-wins-millions-hearts-online"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A video of a Chinese ride-hailing driver comforting a blind passenger regarding his looks has garnered millions of hearts online. The incident unfolded in Chengdu, Sichuan province, when driver Wang picked up visually impaired passenger Ou. Ou had registered his disability, causing the platform to flag the booking as an accessible service request. Wang explained that passengers with disability certificates are automatically marked as needing accessible service, rather than being assigned to specific drivers. Ou, who was blind since the age of one, asked if Wang had been hesitant to accept the booking after learning about his blindness. Wang replied, \"What's the big deal? People should understand each other. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes.\" Ou, born completely blind at 48 years old, lost his sight to a fever and now earns a living as a massage therapist. He lost his mother at the age of three and his father several years later. To address his appearance concerns, Ou wore sunglasses during the ride. Moved by Wang's reassurance, Ou gave him a 20-yuan tip, saying, \"Just from those words, I know you are a good person.\" The pair exchanged phone numbers and arranged a return journey. Ou later gifted Wang a 100-yuan cash present and topped up his mobile phone credit, but Wang declined both. Wang emphasized that respecting Ou meant treating him as an equal, not defining him by his disability. \"If you ever run into trouble, I'll be there to help you, whether you give me money or not,\" Wang promised. The two men, now friends, shared a meal together, according to Chengdu media. Ou, who has never married, described the encounter as an unprecedented source of warmth. Wang, a military veteran, admired Ou's resilience and optimism. He dismissed his own gesture as a small act of kindness but has pledged to drive Ou free of charge between Chengdu and his hometown, more than 200km away, whenever he needs transportation. The video, uploaded by Wang, has received over 7.4 million likes and widespread praise, with many online observers commenting on the essence of empathy and kindness.",
  "summary": "A video of a ride-hailing driver in southwestern China reassuring a blind passenger about his appearance has gone viral, touching hearts across mainland social media. The driver, surnamed Wang, recently picked up a visually impaired passenger in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and helped him into the car after the platform flagged the booking as requiring accessible service. Wang later clarified that…",
  "key_points": [
    "Chinese ride-hailing driver Wang comforts blind passenger Ou about his appearance",
    "Ou, a blind massage therapist, tips Wang 20 yuan after the ride",
    "Wang promises to provide free transportation for Ou between Chengdu and his hometown"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}