Ordinary heroes top the trending searches, but only by implementing rewards can good people be truly rewarded and their good deeds no longer just a wish.

In early November, a warm and powerful wave of society-wide positive energy swept across the internet.

On November 4, the topic “Extraordinary Touching Moments from Ordinary Jobs” topped the social platform’s hot topics list, with more than 12 million plays; the next day, “Salute Those City Heroes” again reached the hot search list, with more than 25 million plays. Under the topics, numerous heartwarming moments of ordinary workers kept taking over the screens. Through their own actions, they embodied “greatness within the ordinary,” prompting tens of millions of netizens to like and resonate.

Among them, many moments are worth remembering. Jiangsu nurse Gao Yunxian, while at a scenic spot, heard cries for help; without hesitation, she rushed forward and pulled a choking toddler back from the brink of death with three rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In Chongqing, bus driver Jin Shifu, in a dense rush of rain, bent down and carried a mobility-impaired elderly person. In Kaifeng, Henan, takeout delivery rider Cui Yulong climbed a third-floor anti-theft net with his bare hands and successfully rescued a trapped child. There are also Meituan riders delivering medicine late at night—worried about the safety of users, they patiently waited outside for more than 20 minutes, then returned to the pharmacy to check the medicine’s effectiveness, moving tens of thousands of netizens……

In the context of the new era, the definition of “heroes” is being reshaped. No longer are they an unreachable symbol; instead, they include ordinary workers spread throughout the streets and neighborhoods—delivery riders, bus drivers, community nurses, and others. Tens of millions of views and likes on social networks are a sincere salute from the public to the ordinary heroes nearby, and they are also the most real and urgent reflection of “goodwill” in today’s society. It tells us: In this era, the strongest positive energy is coming from those everyday people whose “faint sparks” stay committed to their posts.

However, faced with these touching stories, we cannot stop at being moved, liking, and reposting. To pay tribute to ordinary heroes, we must not only be moved in our hearts, but also act in practice.

Every time the internet floods with screens is like a tide rushing in. But the tide will eventually recede. If good deeds are only left at verbal praise and brief hotness, how can those selfless workers be remembered? This is the deepest call from society’s public opinion over the years: How do we make sure “good people get rewarded”?

The key to keeping the “faint sparks of ordinary people” flowing lies in the government, society, and enterprises jointly building a comprehensive commendation mechanism—so that good deeds are seen and respected, and “good people get rewarded” becomes reality—thereby demonstrating the warmth of society and the responsibility of enterprises.

Whether it’s the government’s honor and incentive awards such as “China’s Good People” and “Bai Xing Lei Feng,” or enterprises’ commendations and bonus awards for good people and good deeds. This dual incentive of both material and spiritual recognition is the most direct acknowledgement and encouragement for good deeds. It turns “good people get rewarded” from a beautiful wish into reality, ensuring that goodwill continues for the long term.

For example, on November 6, Meituan held a commendation meeting for pioneer riders. Meituan announced an upgrade of two long-term initiatives: the “Riders’ Rewards for Good Deeds” program and the “Riders’ Rewards for Doing the Right Thing” program. These will specifically reward “pioneer riders” who help others bravely and have a strong sense of social responsibility. The commendation amount can be as high as 100,000 yuan; if major deeds are officially recognized, additional incentives will also be provided.

Image source: provided by Meituan

That day, 13 “pioneer riders” from across the country who had done the right thing and helped others on the spot were invited to the scene. Among them was rider Yao Xinlong, who “turned back in the middle of the night to check the medicine’s effectiveness because he was worried the customer might be in trouble.” There was also rider Ru Xingge, who “caught thieves and helped the shop owner chase after the thief.” And there was rider Meng Shixiang, who “stepped in with courage and righteousness to stop a malicious unsafe driving maneuver.”

These Meituan riders are all the most ordinary workers in the city. They weave through every street and alley, serving households across the city. Yet they have not indulged in plainness; instead, with a vibrant, upward-looking spirit and strong moral sense, they throw themselves into helping others. Although these good deeds are not earth-shattering, their straightforward kindness and dedication, in the most simple way, deeply moved and warmed the entire society.

To commend this group of brave people, we should not stop at cash rewards. We should also provide comprehensive protection, using the shield of the system to give riders the “confidence” to act when it matters most and in emergencies.

At present, Meituan has joined forces with professional emergency rescue, medical first aid, and vocational education institutions, among others, to provide long-term safety training for riders nationwide—helping them master professional skills. If special circumstances arise, rider friends can not only save themselves, but also, within their means, help others in a more professional way.

Meanwhile, starting November 1, Meituan riders’ old-age insurance subsidy coverage officially extends nationwide. The “Meituan Riders’ Care Plan for Serious Illness” has also already covered all Meituan riders and their parents, spouses, and minor children. Meituan hopes that this will make riders’ work more steady, their income more stable, and their lives better protected—so they can serve as better helpers for community residents.

The sheer scale of platform enterprises determines that their commendation actions themselves have extremely strong reach. Meituan’s move will undoubtedly motivate more practitioners to proactively fulfill social responsibilities and reinforce the foundation of a better society.

You should know that the large number of delivery riders are not only restaurant delivery workers or couriers; they are also safety officers, information officers, and emergency first responders moving through the city’s capillary veins. Their electric bikes are a “mobile Lei Feng station,” and the delivery boxes may hold first-aid kits. Their good deeds often fill blind spots in the city’s public services and grassroots governance at the first moment.

“Faint sparks of ordinary people can light up the starry river.” Those moments that moved society are the warmest base color of the city. But maintaining and continuing this warmth requires the joint efforts of the whole society. The government needs to keep improving relevant laws and regulations to ensure that the rights and interests of those who do the right thing are not harmed; the media and the public should continue to pay attention and give likes, and help build a positive public-opinion atmosphere. And platform enterprises, represented by Meituan, need to treat commendation mechanisms as part of the company’s long-term strategy, and continuously deepen institutionalized safeguards for good deeds.

Only by making the commendation mechanism more complete—making “goodness” tangible and “warmth” belonging to people—can every laborer in an ordinary position work with peace of mind while also having the courage and confidence to embrace kindness. This is the deepest and longest-lasting tribute that our era offers to “the extraordinary touching moments from ordinary jobs.”

(Text by | Xie Silin)

(Editor: Wang Zhiqiang HF013)

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