Shengliver’s Note: Houlin the teen met a friendly stranger in Lanzhou.

It was a trip with my father I took to Lanzhou nearly eight years ago. I cannot remember much of the scenic spots we visited there, but a family, who were complete strangers to us, stay in my mind forever.

One day on the tour, my father and I decided to make an excursion on our own to a hyped place of interest. We found ourselves in a labyrinth of hedges, paths and hills, and it was not long before we had to admit that we were lost. A bit panicky, we decided that if we still could not find the beauty spot, we would have to retrace our way back to the hotel. After struggling in the maze for an hour in vain, disoriented, we had no choice but to call it quits.

We stood by the road, hoping to hail a taxi. No taxi came our way, though. After what seemed like ages, a car pulled by. A smiling man got out of the car and walked straight to us. He said that he was a tourist too and that he thought we had been lost judging by the way we were waiting by the road. He invited us to join him and travel together. “Two families will have much more fun,” he said.

At first my dad refused it. He did not trust the man. But the man insisted. After seeing his wife and son greeting us from inside the vehicle, we accepted it.

The man, who called himself Mr Li, was gorgeous. On the way he kept talking so that we would not feel awkward. When it was lunchtime, he treated us to a meal with his family at a restaurant. At table, we exchanged so many anecdotes with each other. As a result, our journey had no lack of joy and laughter.

When we bid farewell to each other, I felt warm. I used to believe that humanity was beset by distrust and suspicion, but after the encounter with the generous family, I thought differently. In this seemingly cold world, I can still find a bit of warmth. A spark from a perfect stranger is all it takes to rekindle a fire and melt the indifference, making the world a cosier place.