The accident occurred when a truck unexpectedly turned and collided with a pink Rolls-Royce worth over 6 million yuan (US$830,000). The car’s owner, surnamed Zhu, took the incident in stride, posting a selfie with the damaged car on social media, captioned, “Since I cannot change it, I’ll accept it.”

Despite the truck driver being at fault, Zhu announced on Nov. 7 that she would not pursue compensation after learning the driver, surnamed Li, was financially struggling and unable to pay for the damage. She described the incident as a “blessing” and expressed her belief that “Good things come to those who do good.”

Zhu’s gesture quickly went viral, with her Douyin follower count skyrocketing to over 1.4 million as netizens praised her for her wealth and compassion. However, as the story gained traction, rumors began circulating online, accusing Zhu of staging the collision with Li for fame. Some even claimed the two were long-time acquaintances, citing an “old photo” as evidence.

Public opinion became divided. One Weibo user commented: “Fame brings scrutiny. The online accusations could harm both Zhu and Li and may add emotional strain to Li and his family.” Another remarked: “Should the Rolls-Royce owner force the truck driver into bankruptcy to satisfy public opinion? Regardless, promoting positive values is commendable.”