An unsung hero has been rewarded with a long-awaited family reunion, after a tremendous act of bravery. Xiao Guangqian, a 58-year-old homeless man, saved the lives of four college students after a frozen lake they were walking on collapsed. After his story went viral, Xiao was finally able to see his family again, after years spent apart.

Xiao, from Hunan Province, has settled in a small shack by Xiliu Lake in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, where he lives with the few belongings he has amassed after some 20 years of wandering from place to place. Around three years ago, Xiao saved the lives of four young people, in an act of bravery that barely anyone knew about. Five college students taking pictures on the frozen lake near Xiao's makeshift home suddenly fell into the freezing cold water, as the ice cracked and broke apart beneath them. Xiao heard their cries for help and saved four of them, with one remaining student sadly losing their life as they reentered the water to try and save one of their classmates.

“Old Xiao started winter swimming from then on,” a fellow swimmer surnamed Bi told a local newspaper. "All winter swimmers in Xiliu Lake know Xiao’s story. And all of us admire him, not only for his good and honest heart, but also for his tough and proud soul.” Bi said Xiao always rejects donations and help from others, insisting he can feed himself and cope on his own.

Xiao saved the lives of the teenagers and expected nothing in return. However, his selfless act on that day has transformed his life, after his long lost daughter finally reached out to him after the rescue story gained media attention, years after he dove into the waters to save the students' lives. His daughter Xiao Ling recognized her father from media reports, and contacted the authorities. With their help, Xiao Ling and her aunt, Xiao Guangqian’s younger sister, arrived at his shabby shelter on Thursday.

Xiao lost his family in 1996. His wife left him, taking away their two daughters after their relationship broke down, with his personality changed and deeply affected by a car accident the year before, according to Xiao Guangqian’s sister. Left alone, he packed his bags and wandered for some twenty years, with all of his relatives giving up hope of ever finding him again.

Thanks to that kind act, Xiao now can finally come back home with his daughter, who has assured that after spending Spring Festival together as a family for the first time in over 20 years, they are planning for the future, together as a family.