PhD Student Invites Owners Of His Favourite Eatery To Graduation Photoshoot

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A PhD graduate in Guangzhou, China, has warmed hearts online after inviting the owners of his favourite eatery to join his graduation photoshoot as a gesture of gratitude

The invitation, written as a short note in his food delivery order, was shared on Douyin by the restaurant owner and quickly went viral.

In the message, the student, Xiao Xiong, shared that he had studied at Southern Medical University for seven years and regularly ate at the family-run restaurant with his classmates throughout that time.

"I've been eating at your place for seven years, from undergraduate to doctorate. Now I'm graduating and feel sad about leaving. I'll be taking graduation photos soon. May I invite you both to join?" he wrote.

The eatery owner, Luo Na, said she was deeply surprised and touched when she read the note

"I was speechless when I saw this message in the kitchen. I dropped out of school and started working when I was young, so I never imagined I'd be invited to a graduation photoshoot," she wrote in her post.

According to the South China Morning Post, Luo and her husband have been running their Hakka-style eatery for over 20 years near the university campus, where Xiao has been a regular customer since his student days.

Xiao shared that he and his classmates first ordered from the eatery at the start of university, and it quickly became their go-to spot throughout their academic journey.

Wanting to mark the end of his studies with a meaningful memory, he decided to include the couple who had been part of his student life for years.

Luo later confirmed that she would accept the invitation and attend the photoshoot with her husband and two children. She also said she plans to bring flowers and a red packet to congratulate Xiao on his achievement.

The heartwarming story has since gone viral, with many netizens praising the bond between the student and the eatery owners

"Owners of this eatery are truly raising China's future doctors," one commenter wrote.

Another added: "Such a heartwarming story. I also took graduation photos with my favourite eatery owner when I graduated."