By WANG YANG

Lao Ma, right, holds up "A lion rolls a colored silk ball," bought from the historic city of Pingyao in Shanxi, at his wedding/auction. He explains that it symbolizes good luck.

NEIGHBOR culture is part and parcel of the unique Chinese culture. People in China believe that living and working in peace and contentment is bliss, so they rarely move, especially if they live in the countryside. It is common for Chinese families to live somewhere for several decades. "Water far off will not quench a fire near at hand" is a common saying. People who live in the same hutong (a narrow street) or the same residential compound become good friends, and some friendships even last lifetimes. My friend Lao Ma is one of these old friends and neighbors.

Ma Ye, called Lao Ma was born in Beijing. Although he is called Old Ma, he is only 31 years old. His friends in the neighborhood call him "Lao Ma" to indicate the intimacy between them, in virtue of his character of being self-possessed and ready to help others. As for me, I prefer to call him "Elder Brother Ma " because I consider him like a heroic figure in a famous Hong Kong movie, who has a strong sense of justice and is always ready to help the weak.

The people in the neighborhood have seen their lives improve. Most of us in the group have our own car, and we are all crazy about driving ourselves everywhere. Every time the group travels outside Beijing, Lao Ma takes the responsibility of being in front to blaze the trail. It sounds easy, but it is difficult. These drivers are supposed to navigate and be conscientious of the following drivers. After we reach a destination, it is always Lao Ma who finds the place for us to eat and rest and begins to arrange the next day.

Lao Ma is a traditional Chinese guy who regards friendship and loyalty more important than his own interests. In our group, he has helped almost everyone, but Lao Ma has never turned us for help. As one of his friends, I appreciate him, but sometimes I don't understand his generosity and loyalty and I even complain about how the situation is often unfair to Lao Ma. Here is an example of his generosity: when he first started working, Lao Ma earned about 1000 yuan per month. A friend of his desperately needed money, so without hesitating Ma borrowed here and there and offered his friend 5000 yuan. Several years later, the friend became a company manager, but he never returned the money, instead choosing to discontinue the friendship. When I heard this, I asked him why he hadn't asked for the money back. "He no longer considers me a friend," Lao Ma said. "Since the friendship is gone, what is his money for?"

Lao Ma got married on June 19th of this year. Chinese people like to invite all their friends and relatives to an extravagant feast on this occasion to announce their marriage. Lao Ma instead chose to hold a charity auction where he put presents from friends up for bid. Ma and his wife gave the profits from the auction to Project Hope, an NGO that funds education programs in poor areas.

When Lao Ma announced his intentions for the wedding, we were astounded, but later appreciated the idea. After all, it just underscores his penchant for putting others ahead of himself. Friends gave all kinds of advice and aid were offered by Ma's friends: Liu Xiaoshuai filmed the proceedings so the couple could savor the happy memories; Xiao Hu helped to organize the event and Wang Yun organized and designed the auction space. I donated an oil lamp from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to the auction. The lamp was one of my favorite possessions, given to me by a scholar and friend, and it has been sitting on my desk for ages. I donated it to Lao Ma knowing it would help Project Hope.

More than 200 people were present at Lao Ma's wedding. Perhaps because of the auction, many more people than expected arrived to celebrate and bid on items.

Lao Ma is a model neighbor and many others have been inspired by his friendship and generosity. Lao Ma likes to say "Love me, love my neighbor."