Seeing the mess created by her fellow classmates after throwing torn up textbooks into the sky, a Chinese high school senior came up with the idea of writing a thank-you and apology letter to the campus cleaner.

Given the competitive nature and emotional stress brought about by the annual university entrance exams - Gaokao - which began today, tearing textbooks and exam preparation materials and throwing the pieces into the air has become a tradition for overwrought high school graduates. 

High school students across China tear and throw textbooks before the annual university entrance exams. /Chengdu Business Daily Photo

On June 3, two days before graduating from Baita Middle School in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, student He Xue was studying at her desk when she saw a female campus cleaner clearing away the paper thrown by her classmates.

Moved by the cleaner’s hard work, He decided to put pen to paper and writer her a letter. 

“In a few days we will leave the campus behind and many of us choose to tear up our textbooks to relieve stress. This tradition has brought all our campus cleaners so much trouble and I beg your forgiveness and understanding. Thank you and we are sincerely sorry!” 

The thank you and apology letter addressing to the campus cleaner. /Chengdu Business Daily Photo

“I was hesitant to write this letter, but I was afraid I would regret it if I failed to convey my gratitude before I left,” He confessed in the letter. “It’s a shame I don’t know your name but I will remember your work and the heartwarming moment you’ve brought me.”

He Xue with her friend in their classroom. /Chengdu Business Daily Photo

He delivered the letter in person to Mo Huaixue, the campus cleaner, who has been employed at the school for two years. 

At first startled, Mo later expressed her gratitude in an interview with the Chengdu Business Daily.

“Students tear textbooks every year but this is the first time I have received a thank you letter,” she said. 

Mo showed the letter to one of the teachers, Liu Qiaoling, who posted it on social media app Wechat. 

School teacher Liu Qiaoling shared the letter and the story on Wechat. /Chengdu Business Daily Photo

"A very considerate girl," commented one of her friends.

Another teacher, who was reportedly “deeply moved after reading the story”, decided to let all her students to read the letter.

During graduation on May 5, Mo searched without success for He to say thank you. “I wanted to tell her to do her best and get into her dream school,” she said.