Courage Under Pressure: Freshman Yang Shuqiong Protects Young Girl in Crisis

“Thank you so much for stepping in at such a critical moment and protecting my child.”

The School of Mathematics and Computational Science recently received a heartfelt, handwritten letter of thanks from the parents of a young girl. The letter detailed how Yang Shuqiong, a freshman majoring in Applied Statistics, intervened to save their daughter from a dangerous situation.

Yang’s quick thinking and bravery have drawn widespread praise across campus, revealing a strong sense of responsibility behind her quiet and unassuming demeanor.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of August 25. During the summer break, Yang took a part-time tutoring job to help ease her family’s financial strain. Arriving at the tutoring site about 20 minutes early, she stepped off the bus and noticed a woman attempting to forcibly drag a young girl along the roadside. Yang instantly recognized the girl as one of her students.

Initially assuming it was a parent disciplining her child, Yang approached to de-escalate the situation. However, upon seeing Yang, the woman immediately released the child and attempted to slip away nervously.

The unusual reaction raised Yang’s suspicions. She comforted the frightened girl, who revealed that the woman was a complete stranger trying to take her away. Realizing the immediate threat, Yang ran after the woman and cut off her escape.

During the confrontation, the woman grew flustered and elusive. Though petite and naturally reserved, Yang refused to back down against the taller aggressor. Shielding the young girl behind her, Yang called the police. When the woman suddenly broke into a run, Yang pursued her while calling out to passersby for help. With the assistance of nearby pedestrians, she successfully detained the woman.

After being stopped, the woman became highly agitated, attracting a crowd. Despite the unpredictable nature of the scene, Yang remained calm, kept the situation under control, and waited for law enforcement to arrive. Police later confirmed that the woman suffered from a severe mental disorder and placed her in the care of her family and relevant local agencies. Only after ensuring the child was safely reunited with her parents did Yang finally relax.

Looking back, Yang admitted she was terrified during the ordeal. “I was scared, and my mind briefly went blank,” she recalled. “I’m not normally a brave person, but I knew that little girl was even more terrified than I was. At that moment, backing away was not an option.” Yang held her composure until the girl's parents arrived safely—only then did her overwhelmed tears finally fall.

The girl’s family later visited the School in person to present a banner and express their deep gratitude. “If Yang Shuqiong had not stepped in so courageously, we dare not imagine what might have happened to our child,” the parents wrote. “Her bravery means everything to our family.”

Rui Jixiang, a peer advisor of Yang Shuqiong, described her as quiet in daily life but consistently active in volunteer work. “Faced with an unexpected emergency, she showed remarkable composure and sound judgment,” Rui said. “Instead of acting recklessly, she protected the child and promptly contacted the authorities. Her decisive action wasn’t just a momentary impulse. It reflects the profound sense of compassion and responsibility she has built through years of community service.”

(Translated by JIN Da)