In Guangzhou, southern China, the owner of a Rolls-Royce recently declined compensation from a truck driver after a minor accident but felt disheartened by allegations that she orchestrated the incident for online fame.
The incident involved a truck making an unexpected turn and colliding with a pink Rolls-Royce worth over 6 million yuan (approximately US$830,000). The car’s owner, known by her surname Zhu, took a selfie in front of the damaged car and shared it on social media with the caption, “Since I cannot change it, I’ll accept it.”
Authorities later determined the truck driver was entirely at fault. Zhu’s husband mentioned that the repair costs are still unknown since the car is currently being serviced. Zhu noted that the truck driver, surnamed Li, had insurance coverage of only 1 million yuan, which would likely be inadequate for the repairs.
On November 7, Zhu posted a video on Douyin stating that she decided not to seek any compensation from the driver and would pay for the repairs herself. She explained that after discussing with Li, she realized he was going through tough times, working long hours just to make ends meet. She considered meeting him a blessing and expressed her belief that “good things come to those who do good.” In her video, Zhu wished Li safe travels.
Li, in return, thanked her warmly, expressing gratitude for encountering such kindness and wishing her success in her business. The story went viral on Chinese social media, boosting Zhu’s Douyin following to over 1.4 million, as many admired her generosity. One commenter lauded her: “Zhu has both wealth and virtue; thumbs up for her!”
However, as the story spread, some accused her of staging the collision to gain attention, alleging that the truck driver was hired for this purpose. On November 10, Zhu responded to these accusations on social media. Holding back tears, she stated, “There were three children in the car. As a mother, I would never risk my children’s lives for a joke. I welcome any relevant authorities to investigate the truth of my statements.”
Zhu declared her willingness to face legal consequences for her words, asserting, “I believe fairness will prevail.”
