The frenzy peaked when netizens went onto the streets in search of "Brother Sharp". They wanted to update his latest photos.

It was a far cry from just a month ago, when no one even bothered to give Cheng a second look - let alone a piece of bread.

"The first time I saw him, he was wearing a colorful dress and holding a silk scarf. He was trying to find some cigarettes in a trash bin," said Zhang Wei, one of the first few people to notice Cheng two years ago.

"We met a few times and I realized he was probably suffering from some sort of mental illness," Zhang said.

Still, Cheng's unwanted fame also helped his family find him.

A friend of Cheng Guosheng said the "Brother Sharp" photos he received on his mobile phone news resembled his brother who went missing years ago.

His family soon found him with the help of these clues.

However, there are dozens of others like Cheng Guorong who remain homeless - and unknown - on Ningbo's streets, Zhang Wei said.

Zhang himself has taken numerous photos of the homeless in his city.

"I've even seen a homeless man fighting with a dog over a piece of meat in a trash bin," he said.

Cheng Guorong's story also sheds light on a pressing social concern, academics said.

"We should pay attention to these vulnerable members of society," said Hu Shoujun, a professor of social psychology at Fudan University.

"We should also not blindly blame the netizens, who thrust 'Brother Sharp' in the spotlight," said Sun Shijin, another professor of psychology at Fudan.

"Without the attention, Cheng's family may never have found him."

Luo Pingfei, CPPCC member and vice minister of civil affairs, said on Monday that according to the country's administrative measures for assisting vagrants and beggars in cities, the local civil affairs department should take the initiative to assist the underprivileged, like Cheng.

Luo also called for the government to increase financial support to improve social security services to the vulnerable groups.

As for Cheng Guorong, his photograph has become a trademark, which is under application for registration.

Zhao Xiaokai, who submitted the registration application on Friday, said that while he had yet to contact Cheng, he plans to auction the trademark online once he receives a approval and to donate the the money to Cheng.

He said he is trying to get authorization from Cheng's family.