A father in China found a novel way to reconcile with his daughter who ran away from home after an argument. - Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu
BEIJING: A video of a father in China wearing a teddy bear costume to deliver flowers to his daughter at work as a peace offering after a family row has trended on mainland social media.
The visit was a complete surprise to her, as was his outfit, when he pitched up at her place of employment in Guangzhou, Guangdong province in southern China in mid-August, Jiaodian Video reported.
His aim was to make up with his daughter following an argument about setting up blind dates for her.
She had walked out of the family home that day and they had not seen each other for six months since.
The daughter, whose name was not released in the report, works for a small taxi company.
She was amazed when a big cartoon bear appeared in front of her, presented her with a bunch of flowers then hugged her.
The company’s surveillance video shows her momentarily hesitating, then leaning forward to hug the bear, as her father removes the costume’s head and reveals his identity.
She is taken aback for a moment before yelling, “Dad, what are you doing here?” then running to him and holding him close as they both cry tears of joy.
“Daughter, you haven’t contacted us for a long time. I am missing you so much,” he said.
“It’s our fault. Your mother and I have reached an agreement that we will not force you to join blind-dating activities. You can count on me. It’s not a big deal,” her father reassured her.
After the disagreement, the daughter had hastily packed her bags and left home, moving about 1,000km away from Guangzhou.
“I haven’t contacted my parents since then. I was afraid to call them because I think I don’t live up to their expectations,” she said.
Recalling the moment her father took off the costume head, she said there was more than one reason why she could not help crying.
“My father’s hair had turned white. I felt so guilty,” she said.
The incident prompted an outpouring of emotion in China.
“I envy this girl for having parents who love her very much,” one online observer wrote on Douyin.
“I burst into tears watching them. The father’s love is as great as a mountain,” another said. - South China Morning Post
