A cab driver in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, is receiving commendations for his integrity after returning a significant overpayment made by a Chinese-American tourist. Zhang Peng, the driver, discovered that a passenger had mistakenly paid 6,500 yuan (approximately $950) for a ride that only cost 65 yuan (about $9.50).
Zhang suspected the payment was an error, likely made by a group of four tourists he had recently transported from the train station to a hotel. After unsuccessful attempts to contact them through his dispatchers, he went directly to the hotel to clarify the situation with the front desk clerk.
When the passenger, identified only by his surname Liu, learned of the mistake, he was shocked. Liu explained that it was his first visit to China and that he was unfamiliar with the WeChat payment system, which led to the confusion. “In the US, there’s usually a space for decimal points, so I thought I had to do the same here,” he said.
Despite Liu’s offer of a reward, Zhang insisted on returning the full amount of the overpayment. Grateful for Zhang’s honesty, Liu left a glowing review on WeChat, expressing his disbelief and appreciation for the driver’s integrity, especially given the substantial sum involved. “For some people, money is their only goal, and 6,500 yuan is a lot of money. I felt so excited yesterday because you returned it,” Liu wrote.
Let us ensure that our pursuit of daily sustenance does not diminish our honesty and humanity. Together, let’s remain steadfast in our kindness and integrity.