In China, teenagers are compared to flowers of the nation. It was not until an accident happened to me that I fully comprehended it.

One day during the winter holidays, I decided to go out for a better mood. I borrowed my cousin’s electric moped and set out on it. I enjoyed such a ride and had done it many times before. Confident about my skills, I did not expect anything would go awry.

Things, however, turned out in a different way. On the way back after an hour’s ride around, I bumped into a black limousine on Zhongyue Lane. That I had wanted to go faster resulted in the accident. I admitted I was to blame, but the impact was so slight that no one involved was hurt any way.

However, an accident of this nature normally will turn into a big affair in China, with both parties blaming each other, involving lots of finger pointing and name calling. There is a load of reporting of it on Chinese media. Therefore, I was worried that I would be in trouble this time.

As I expected, the driver of the car got out and examined his vehicle carefully. Though he did not detect any damage, not even a dent, he made a fuss yelling, “Boy, call your parents and ask them to come.” His words panicked me. I was at a loss as to what to do next.

In the nick of time, four elderly men turned up and looked on. One of them said to the driver, “Young man, your car is all right. Why not let the boy go? After all, you do not need to get rich through it. Everyone is supposed to have mercy. The boy is only a student, man.”

Hearing that, the man was about to retort when his wife, a kind-looking lady, stopped him and persuaded him to give up.

I felt very lucky as the car was pulling away. I thanked the pensioners. They warned me, “Boy, do not come out alone. Do be careful next time. People these days are not as kind as you might believe.”

Their generosity warmed me up. As I was leaving the scene, I said to them, “Thanks a lot. I’ll remember it.”

What if I had been an adult then? They might not have helped me and I would have suffered dire consequences. Even today, I still appreciate the four elderly men going out of their way to intercede on my behalf. When I ride a moped again, I am extra careful.