Shengliver’s Note: Such generosity as the grandad displayed is rare today.

I have been lodging off campus in a rented flat since the last year of high school started. Retired from his job, my grandpa is here looking after me. He cooks for me, makes the bed and does the laundry. Despite the age difference, the stereotypical generation gap doesn’t exist and we two enjoy each other’s company.

There is a problem for Grandad, though. He is terribly bored, none of his acquaintances or buddies in the new neighbourhood. Every morning, having seen me off, he will be hanging around on the street outside the tower block. As curious as a baby, he hardly leaves anything of interest out of his attention.

One morning, as Grandad was strolling down the street, a young food vendor, who was busy frying youtiao, caught his eye. He went over and fixed his eyes on the guy working at the food cart on the pavement.

“Guy, your dough is too wet. It is not good for frying,” Grandad blurted out all of a sudden. “And look at your hands. You take cash from your customers with them. Meanwhile you use the same hands to knead the dough.”

Grandad’s candid remark made the vendor blush instantly and look all thumbs. Then and there the sympathetic retiree, taking up the utensils, started to help the young man with the food preparation.

While assisting the food vendor, Grandfather chatted with him, asking about his job and family. The guy is a chef employed by a canteen serving a company. Instead of taking a break, he spends his off days moonlighting on the street to supplement his wages as a cook. 20ish, he is still a bachelor. He confided to Grandad that he had to save for a future home in town and his marriage. His girlfriend is working at a factory.

“What an industrious lad!” Grandad commented.

When my grandfather was going to bid him farewell, the guy insisted on giving some youtiao to him in return for his act of kindness, but Grandpa declined it.

After I was back at the flat from school later in the evening, Grandpa, with great excitement, shared with me his discovery on the street. I could not help but feel great admiration for the senior citizen. He was so kind, so benevolent towards a complete stranger. He is my idol.