18-year-old Xie Xu is a very special friend, the type of friend that will do anything to make sure the people he cares about are taken care of. The heroic student carries his disabled friend to class every single day, just as he has for the last three years. His friend, 19-year-old Zhang Chi suffers from muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive and irreversible skeletal muscle weakness.

Xie Xu is being called “the most beautiful student in China” for his dedication to making sure his good friend doesn’t miss a day of class. Missing school isn’t an option considering Xie and Zhang both sit at the top of their class at Daxu High School. The school’s deputy headmaster, Guo Chunxi, refers to the story as “so inspiring and touching.”

Mr. Chunxi went on to say, “ They aren’t family, but Xie has been doing this for three years. He’s the most beautiful student. He also exerts positive influence on other students, who readily help Zhang.”

Xie carries Zhang piggyback to and from school and helps him throughout the day with whatever he needs. The two have developed a special friendship, one that has since gone viral after being posted to China’s Sina Weibo social network. The boys have received a great deal of messages and support.

Unfortunately, both of the young men will be going off to different colleges next year. This is worrisome for Zhang because according to the most recent human rights report there is a devastating gap in China regarding legal rights for disabled people. The disabled are often discriminated against and denied access to many formal assistance programs.

Hopefully the heartwarming story of Zhang and Xie’s friendship will prompt more people to open up their hearts to others just as Xie has done.

Photo Credits: dailymail