A Chinese man thought he was ready to marry his girlfriend—until the financial expectations surrounding their marriage made him reconsider everything.

A large bride price, a house, a car, and other marriage expenses can place enormous pressure on ordinary families in China. After walking away from his relationship, he began looking at love and marriage from a completely different perspective.

His story also raises a bigger question about dating and marriage in China: How much should money matter when two people decide to spend their lives together? And what happens when people from very different cultures have completely different expectations about marriage?

This story offers an interesting look at bride price traditions, Chinese dating culture, international relationships, and the growing financial pressure surrounding marriage.
Would you pay $70,000 to marry someone you loved—or would you walk away?