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Yu Shuang, founder of the Beijing restaurant Trojan Fairy, posted a message on her social media account on Dec 16 asking for help with a "financial emergency".

Her business in Xicheng district was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic last year and owed nearly 110,000 yuan ($16,970) in rent.

Just two days earlier, the property management company gave notice that it was terminating the lease. It also asked for the premises to be vacated within three days.

Yu's post attracted a number of comments, with some asking her what had happened. She replied, "I'm desperate."

On the day she sought help, people responded. She quickly raised the funds needed to renew the lease.

A longtime customer from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, who was unable to travel to Beijing to dine at the restaurant due to the pandemic, topped up her membership card for the business by several thousand yuan.

When Yu asked why she had done so, the customer said that such a restaurant should not fail.

The eatery looks outwardly no different from many other restaurants. But inside, the lighting is dim.

On entering, customers are greeted by the sight of a piano in the reception area to the left of a dining room that offers upscale Japanese cuisine. However, to the right, a room hidden behind a curtain is in total darkness.