Plight of parentless China boy cared by grandpa attracts 46 million views, prompts government aid

‘Sensible’ 9-year-old handles all the household chores, often cries in his sleep while dreaming about his dead father

A nine-year-old boy in rural China who relies on his 73-year-old grandfather and brings him meat from his school canteen because he fears the old man might die without it has touched millions of internet users in the country.

The boy, who is nicknamed Zichen, is a primary school pupil who lives in a village in Taikang county, central Henan province.

His story has been viewed 46 million times on social media, sparking the local authorities to intervene with help.

According to a report by Henan TV, Zichen’s father died of an undisclosed illness several years ago and his mother left the family and remarried.

His grandmother also died many years ago, leaving his grandfather as his sole carer.

Despite his age, Zichen handles all the household chores, such as cooking, washing and hanging up clothes.

The boy is so sensible that his grandfather said he felt sorry for him.

“I feel I owe him for not providing my boy a good life,” the grandfather told the media.