On September 16 at 5:56 p.m., a terrifying accident occurred in a residential complex in Lengshuijiang, Loudi, Hunan: a 4-year-old girl fell from the 20th floor, landing on a rain canopy on the 13th floor.

At that moment, Ms. Wu Yumei, who lives on the 14th floor, was preparing dinner when she suddenly heard a strange noise from her balcony. She rushed over to find the little girl trapped outside the window. Without hesitation, Ms. Wu grabbed the child tightly, calming her while instructing her son to call the police and share a help video in the residents’ group chat.

Neighbours quickly arrived to join the rescue effort. About four minutes later, police and firefighters reached the scene. Firefighters secured the girl with safety ropes and broke through the 13th-floor window glass to pull her safely back inside.

Thanks to the swift rescue, the girl suffered only minor arm abrasions. Ms. Wu, however, sustained bruises on her hands from holding onto the child for so long.

The girl’s parents later visited to express their gratitude, saying Ms. Wu had given their daughter “a second life.” Ms. Wu was also awarded a special recognition and 5,000 yuan prize by Alibaba’s Everyday Positive Energy program, but she humbly declined, saying: “Saving people is instinct. Let the money go to those who need it more.”