In a surprising incident at an outdoor hotpot restaurant in Chongqing, China, not only did something unexpected fall from above, but it was also a cat! Recently, nine diners were injured when a stray cat suddenly fell from a height and landed directly into a boiling hotpot at the center of their table.
The restaurant is an open-air establishment where customers gather around round tables to enjoy their meal. Unexpectedly, the wild cat dropped from an upper floor and plunged right into the steaming hotpot, causing hot soup to splash and burn several guests seated nearby. The cat itself sustained serious injuries from the fall and the scalding broth, suffering burns and abrasions on all four paws, and its white fur was stained orange from the spicy soup.
The incident occurred on May 2 in Chongqing's Yuzhong District. Nine customers were scalded by the hot soup, and many had their clothes and personal belongings, including mobile phones, splattered with the broth. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Restaurant Owner's Compassionate Response
The restaurant owner, surnamed Zhong, acted swiftly and responsibly. He immediately assisted the injured diners in seeking medical care, waived their meal charges for that day, and took full responsibility for the medical expenses, which amounted to approximately 60,000 RMB. Despite the chaos caused by the cat, Zhong showed no anger. Instead, he promptly took the injured cat to a veterinary hospital for treatment.
The cat's treatment costs exceeded 1,000 RMB per day. Zhong, who initially was unsure about the cat's prognosis, requested the hospital to do everything possible to save it. He also decided to adopt the stray cat, which had no owner, saying, "Even if it caused us a big trouble, I will keep it in our restaurant and let it work to repay me!" He humorously added that the new "store cat" would be responsible for keeping other cats from jumping down again.
The Cat Named "Wuyi" Becomes the Restaurant's Lucky Charm
Later, Zhong named the cat "Wuyi" (meaning "May Day") and promised to care for it well. He also believes that Wuyi will become the restaurant's lucky mascot, bringing prosperity and good fortune.
Public Reaction
Netizens praised the owner's humane and timely handling of the accident, applauding his kindness toward both customers and the injured animal. Comments included:
- "The response was both prompt and full of humanity. The owner is truly a good person! This hotpot restaurant will surely thrive."
- "I will definitely eat here next time I visit Chongqing."
- "Handled very well, showing great character, responsible to customers, and loving towards animals. Wishing you great success!"
This unusual incident highlights both the unpredictability of life and the compassion that can arise in unexpected situations.
