This young man literally has his best friend's back.

For the past three years, Xie Xu, 18, has carried his best friend Zhang Chi, 19, to school every single morning and throughout the day as they travel to classes together. Zhang has muscular dystrophy, a disorder that weakens the muscles over time.

Xie, who is 5'7, has offered his back to Zhang nearly a dozen times daily throughout the school year. The task is entirely a volunteer job, like bringing him all of his meals. But Xie loves it. The partnership extended into their schoolwork, as both of these young men are the top students in their class.

"The story of the two students is so inspiring and touching. They aren't family, but [Xie] has been doing this for three years. He's the most beautiful student," said Guo Chunxi, the vice headmaster of Daxu High School told local media. "He also exerts positive influence on other students, who readily help Zhang. With their assistance, Zhang has never missed out on one single class."

(READ more, w/ photos, at the Daily Mail)

Photo Credit: Tencent news / Weibo