X, a twenty-three year old girl from a large city, was facing a dilemma: either be joined in holy matrimony with a man she does not love, or keep facing the discontent of her family. During the past period of time she had been under unrelenting pressure to marry, with the “carrot” waved in front of her being money - funds which she needs in order to open her own business - to be given to her as some sort of wedding dowry. It seems that recently X has made her decision, and will be wed within a few weeks.

Sometimes, as far as Love is concerned, I get the feeling that there are two different Chinas: In one, 90% of the songs played on the radio are kitsch love songs, couples walk the street hand in hand wearing matching cloths, and dual-seat bicycles (intended especially for couples) are available for rent. In the other, the embarassement which a twenty-three year old girl causes her family is enough to pressure her into a marriage which she does not want. It’s a bit hard for me to grasp how both can be the same country.