For an old woman in Lanzhou, the capital city of northwest China's Gansu Province, an irresponsible thief was her lifesaver, Lanzhou Morning Post reported Monday.

A thief broke into a house near a vegetable market in Lanzhou last Saturday. He found an elderly woman alone in the house suffering from heart disease. The merciful thief helped her take medicine, and eventually saved her life.

The old woman, surnamed Zhang, woke up at 4 o'clock early Saturday morning suffering from breathing difficulties.

Zhang, with a heart disorder, broke a glass when she attempted to reach for some water and medicine. The sound disturbed a thief who had broken into the house searching for money.

Though frightened, the old woman asked the thief to get the medicine for her. The man hesitated, and then did as he was told.

He gave her the medicine and brought her a glass of water. After taking her medicine, the old woman calmed down.

When asked why he had appeared in the house, the man hesitated again before he told the truth that he was actually a thief. He broke into the house while Zhang was sleeping well. It was the sound of the glass that shocked him. Considering Zhang's critical condition, he felt guilty.

After revealing his true identity, the man quickly left Zhang's house, before he could receive her thanks.

Zhang's son hurried home when he heard that his mother was seriously ill, but found nothing taken from the house.