With day after day of scorching heat gripping Jiande, the outdoor air feels like a furnace. But a newly installed “Love Fridge” at Weilai Park in Genglou Street is now up and running, offering free ice-cold water to frontline outdoor workers—street cleaners, delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, and others who brave the blazing sun to keep the city moving. “It’s so hot out there, and being able to grab some cold water and take a break here—it really touches my heart,” said a sanitation worker who had just picked up a bottle.

This fridge delivers more than just cold drinks—it’s a gesture of a city's kindness. To keep it stocked, Jiande has launched the “17° Cool Buddies” initiative. Led by the city’s New Era Good Practice Centre, local businesses, young entrepreneurs, and other caring forces have already stepped up to donate drinking water. At the same time, a citywide call has gone out, inviting companies, social organizations, youth groups, and everyday citizens to join the supply chain and keep the cool drinks flowing. One person tells another, and the circle of “Cool Buddies” just keeps growing—the chain of kindness stretching longer by the day.

Small as it is, the fridge offers more than just water. The site is also equipped with air conditioning, tables, and chairs, creating a temporary cool-down space where outdoor workers can rest their feet for a while. On-site staff have also thoughtfully prepared heatstroke remedies—things like herbal anti-heat liquid, essential balm, and band-aids—making it a one-stop spot for hydration, rest, and emergency care.

A representative from the Genglou Subdistrict office said the initiative is not only a tribute to the workers building the city’s southern district, but also a practical example of how the local people’s congress office is staying close to community needs and public welfare. The office is actively coordinating resources across the board to ensure the “Love Fridge” keeps running steadily.

As Jiande continues its southward urban expansion, with major projects like the Automobile City taking shape, a growing number of outside workers are putting down roots in the new southern district. Looking ahead, Genglou plans to deepen the “17° Cool Buddies” initiative, continuously improving support facilities for outdoor workers, and channeling the caring power of civic engagement to fuel high-quality development in southern Jiande.