Chinese kindergarten guard comforts girl with a waltz because she was upset her mom was late to pick her up

Moments of kindness, no matter how small, have the power to uplift and inspire, especially for children. Even the simplest gestures like a reassuring smile, a helping hand, or a few words of encouragement can turn a bad day around. The good side of the internet shows countless heartwarming moments that have a way of bringing people together. At a kindergarten in eastern China’s Shandong province, one such moment, shared on Douyin (China’s version of TikTok), has melted the hearts of millions online. Liu Jie, 52, has worked at the kindergarten in eastern China’s Shandong province for eight years, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

On March 7, he noticed a five-year-old girl, nicknamed Little Peach, was upset because her mother was late picking her up. He found a unique way to cheer her up. Instead of offering words of reassurance, he took her hands and waltzed with her. The video has so far gained over five million views. "I want you to go home happily, and your mother will not feel guilty anymore because you are happy," Jie said in the video post. His smooth and graceful movements surprised many, leading him to reveal that he had once been a professional dancer. Jie studied classical and folk dance in college before joining a song and dance ensemble in 1993.

However, when China’s economy shifted and many turned to entrepreneurship, he left his performing career behind and moved to Guangdong to start his own business. Though he found success, Jie later decided to return to Shandong in 2017 to care for his aging parents, who are now 93 years old. Despite being financially stable, he took the job as a kindergarten security guard not just to stay active but because of his love for children. Over the years, he has become a beloved figure at the school, greeting each child by name and even assisting in dance classes. Teachers say the children adore him, often bringing him small gifts like snacks and excitedly running up to him each morning.

His kindness extends far beyond this one viral moment. One student once sneaked into his office just to tell him she would always be there for him if he ever felt lonely. For Jie, these connections are what make his job meaningful. He said, "I love kids for a simple reason: If you treat them sincerely, they will treat you with the same sincerity." The online response has been overwhelmingly positive, as per Good News Network. One person commented, "An elegant man and a giggling baby. What a lovely picture." Another added, "An interesting soul shines anywhere, no matter what job they do."

Meanwhile, another story of compassion and emotional awareness is resonating just as deeply. A grieving student took to Reddit to share the kindness of her English professor following the death of her sister. She wrote, "My sister died yesterday, and I cannot explain how much I appreciate my English professor’s compassion right now." The professor responded with remarkable understanding: "Alyssa, I don't know what to write. I have two sisters, and...anyway, take all the time you need. No documentation is needed." He continued, "I'm giving you blanket flexibility in advance. You've already done good work so far, and my goal is for you to get something positive out of the class and after what's just happened, if you participate to the extent possible, I'll make that work."