Shop staffer accidentally breaks bangles worth over ₹1.24 crore; owner does something surprising instead of demanding compensation

In a world where mistakes often cost jobs or heavy penalties, a jewellery shop owner in China has shown that compassion can be more valuable than jade. The incident, which unfolded in October in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, became a viral symbol of empathy after a clerk accidentally destroyed jade bangles worth over one million yuan (₹1.24 crore) — and the owner chose forgiveness over fury.

A Costly Accident Captured on Camera
According to a South China Morning Post report, surveillance footage from the jewellery store revealed how the young clerk, while moving a table, accidentally knocked over a box of jade bangles. The loud crash left him visibly shaken as he tried to gather the shattered pieces before squatting in despair.

Out of 50 Russian nephrite bangles — prized for their clarity and rarity — more than 30 were completely destroyed. The shop’s owner, identified only by the surname Cheng, confirmed that the bangles were uninsured, resulting in a personal loss exceeding one million yuan.

Compassion Over Compensation
Despite the staggering loss, Cheng refused to seek repayment from the clerk, who had joined the shop only a few months earlier after graduating from university. “It was my request, along with a customer’s, to relocate the table. The clerk acted carelessly, as inexperienced and a bit rash young people sometimes do,” Cheng told Jimu News, cited in South China Morning Post.

Instead of reprimanding him, Cheng offered reassurance, encouraging the young man to see the mishap as a learning experience. He even decided to display the broken bangles in the store as a reminder to employees about responsibility and patience.

“I believe young people deserve more chances,” Cheng said. “This incident should teach everyone something valuable.”

An Actor’s Unexpected Role
Adding to the twist, Chinese actor Tan Kai, who has over 6.7 million followers online, happened to be in the store during the accident. Tan had requested the table be moved for a promotional video — a request that inadvertently led to the fall.

Taking responsibility, the actor admitted feeling guilty. “If it weren’t for my request, this wouldn’t have happened,” he said. “I’m now considering ways to salvage the broken jade and recover some of the shop owner’s losses.”

Kindness Goes Viral
News of Cheng’s empathy and the clerk’s emotional reaction quickly spread across Chinese social media, racking up over 30 million views. Comments poured in praising the integrity of everyone involved.

One user wrote, “While heartbreaking, the shop owner, clerk, and customer have all demonstrated kindness and responsibility.” Another suggested turning the shattered jade into polished bead bracelets to recoup some of the losses — a poetic way to turn brokenness into beauty.

The young clerk later expressed gratitude, saying, “Cheng’s leniency preserved my hope for the future,” and vowed to work harder to repay his kindness. In a high-stakes world where mistakes often draw swift punishment, this Suzhou shop’s story serves as a quiet reminder that empathy can rebuild what even jade cannot — the human spirit.