Zeng Ziqi walked from her home in Xixiang, Bao’an, to her hometown of Shaoyang. When she saw her mother, she happily ran over.
Unlike other elementary school students in Shenzhen, Zeng Ziqi’s summer homework wasn’t in her textbooks—because her father, Mr. Zeng, had promised that if she could walk all the way home, he would exempt her from some of it. Unexpectedly, her playful daughter readily agreed and was even willing to follow through, walking all the way from Shenzhen to Qingyuan. Even her accompanying mother felt she couldn’t keep up and eventually had to call in reinforcements by sending for dad. Because of his business commitments, Mr. Zeng spent no more than a week at home each month, and had very little interaction with his daughter. This period of being together day and night was as precious as stars in the sky for this father-daughter pair, whose relationship had once been rather “tense.”
It wasn’t until they met in Shaoyang that the mother, Liu Xiaoyan, revealed her true motive—she hadn’t given up halfway due to physical exhaustion, but rather hoped to use the opportunity to secure some one-on-one time between her daughter and her busy father. She wanted the child to learn courage and resilience, and also let her husband, who had long taken a hands-off approach to parenting, experience the challenges of taking care of a child.
Like any ordinary father, Mr. Zeng’s hopes for his daughter were simple: a peaceful life and safe growth. But during this extraordinary journey, this usually quiet child began to shine in ways her father never expected. At times when the walk got tiring, the little girl would bite her lip or even quietly wipe away tears. Though she got blisters on her feet, she never complained, nor did she ever suggest turning back. “A child’s perseverance actually exceeds our imagination, and it reminds us parents not to underestimate their potential,” he said. Of course, his daughter saw it differently—she once confided that if she gave up, she’d have to redo her summer homework, which just wouldn’t be worth it.
What the father and daughter found most unforgettable were the countless acts of kindness from ordinary people along the way—the elderly woman who picked peanuts from her field and handed them to Zeng Ziqi, the strangers who offered their stools and glasses of boiled water, and the drivers who came out to cheer them on after the pair became internet sensations. Hopefully, in years to come, she’ll recall this summer: the starry sky above, her father’s guiding hand, the speeding trains, the silent mountains, the echoing footsteps, and the ever-present barking of dogs in the countryside. They are like little shining stars, radiating faint light when she feels lost or confused, giving her strength.
As for the flood of online comments, Mr. Zeng admitted he was somewhat taken aback. “It was originally just a small family trip, but it unexpectedly became the focus of so much attention.” After the hike, he carefully read all the online comments, including those accusing him of being a “tiger dad” or “eagle dad.” He felt that controversy was normal, and there was no point in defending himself. What he hoped most was for his daughter to smoothly return to reality. “No matter how much people praise her, she’s still just an elementary school student. She has to go back to school, memorize texts, and take exams. None of that will change.”
But clearly, that scorching hot summer last year has been deeply etched in the heart of 8-year-old Zeng Ziqi—including the saying, “No mountain is higher than a person, no road longer than a footstep.” This journey, measured step by step, sweat-soaked but with the meaning of dreams redefined.
Nowadays, Zeng Ziqi is still a student at Tianjiao Primary School in Bao’an. The once nationally sensational news figure has returned to her peaceful daily life. On weekends, after finishing her homework, she still asks her mom to order a pizza as a reward. She has a long life ahead, and the spotlight will eventually fade—time will allow the beautiful moments to settle.
● Recommended Reason
For 8-year-old Zeng Ziqi, a grand adventure during the summer was undoubtedly the most memorable highlight of the past year, a real-life version of “Where Are We Going, Dad?” What started as a playful family bet turned into a 700-kilometer hike from her home in Xixiang, Bao’an, to her hometown of Shaoyang. Twenty-five days witnessed the completion of this seemingly impossible task, as she traversed fields and mountain winds, passed through cities and under starry skies, stumbled along mountain paths, dashed under the blazing sun—and most importantly, gained insight and courage.