Fatal Car Crash Claims Life of 81-Year-Old Farmer Hours After Social Media Influencer's High-Profile Purchase of His Produce

Influencer's Act of Kindness Triggers Emotional Debate After Elderly Farmer's Tragic Death

A social media influencer's attempt to help an elderly farmer in China has sparked a heated online debate after the farmer died in a road accident shortly after the two shared a meal together. The influencer, identified only by his surname Zhang, is known for supporting farmers and has around 84,000 followers on social media.

On June 25, Zhang documented his encounter with an 81-year-old farmer, surnamed Jing, who was selling vegetables at a local market. In the video, Zhang bought all 75 kg of Jing's vegetables, including spinach, cucumbers, and brinjals, for 60 yuan (approximately Rs 850). The pair then spent time talking over lunch, during which Jing shared his struggles, including the loss of his daughter to suicide 15 years earlier. Zhang paid for a substantial meal that included two bowls of noodles and four dishes, and encouraged Jing to take the leftovers home for his wife.