Ye Xinping (left), president of Hunan Construction Engineering Group, visits Zheng Nengliang's family in Hunan province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"I am aware of the danger here, and I'm ready to die. If I pass away in Wuhan, please leave my ashes to the Yangtze River so that I can find my way back to my hometown. I am dedicated to repay my motherland, family, teachers, friends for their help, and I want to realize my dream," he stated on his WeChat moments on the second day after getting to Wuhan.

In many people's eyes, he is so true to his mission and his energy is boundless. Once receiving a call for help, he sets off immediately. He only sleeps a couple of hours a day because of the heavy workload, his peers say.

After learning about Zheng's story, Ye Xinping, president of Hunan Construction Engineering Group, contacted him immediately, and visited his family.

"You are a role model for our 30,000 employees. We are your backup. We are ready to help if you need," Ye told Zheng.

Those who are inspired or receiving help from Zheng have also shown him their appreciation in various ways.

A doctor taking his car gave him a bottle of medical alcohol for sanitation. Other passengers gave him boiled eggs, reminding him to take care of himself after learning about his experience.

Some have left envelopes containing cash in his car without telling him.

The volunteer team noticed that Zheng had nowhere to sleep, and so they paid for a hotel room for him. But he checked out two days later. "During this time, we should not waste resources," he says. He slept in the car before the other volunteers helped him to find a local gym to take a nap.

When asked if he is scared, Zheng replies in a video recorded and sent by mobile phone:"Instead, I feel warm and taken care of, not fearful, because I see many medical workers fighting on the front line day and night, and medical materials transported here from all over the world."

He says he is confident that as long as the people are united, the virus will be defeated.