In a tale that could be straight out of a novel, a man from China named Mr. Zhu found himself at a crossroads when his fiancée demanded an additional 30,000 yuan (S$5,600) as a dowry.
Their initial agreement stood at 188,000 yuan (S$34,900), a customary dowry amount in Mr. Zhu’s hometown in Shanxi. This unexpected twist in the pre-wedding proceedings left him with a tough choice.
Mr. Zhu then made the extraordinary decision to forgo the dowry, quit his job, and embark on a life-changing journey across China.
The Dowry Dilemma
Mr. Zhu’s story begins with a seemingly typical romance. He met his fiancée through a blind date, and after eight to nine months of dating, they decided to take their relationship to the next level. As their wedding date neared, the unexpected occurred – his fiancée requested an additional 30,000 yuan as a dowry, which she claimed her friends had asked for.
At this point, he was already stretched financially, having used his savings of 168,000 yuan and borrowed the remaining 20,000 yuan from friends to meet the initial dowry demand. The sudden request caused a heated argument, with both parties eventually deciding to end their engagement.
Pressure and Expectations
Mr. Zhu’s journey into uncharted territory was not solely prompted by the dowry dispute. He had begun to feel the weight of societal pressure to marry as he crossed the age of 30.
His parents, too, were urging him to find a partner. This pressure led him to several blind dates, ultimately resulting in his now-dissolved engagement. His decision to quit his job, however, was not planned initially; it was a result of his inability to secure leave for his trip.
The Transformational Journey
With the dowry money fully returned and the borrowed funds repaid to his friends, Mr. Zhu was left with 168,000 yuan. This was the catalyst for his life-altering decision to embark on a tour of China.
Starting on June 1st, he traveled to over 40 cities in five months, spending just over 30,000 yuan – a fraction of his initial savings.
He adopted a minimalist approach, relying on trains for transportation and hostels for accommodation, which made his travels cost-effective.
Sharing His Adventures
Mr. Zhu shared his extraordinary journey with the world through Douyin, a popular social media platform in China. His travel updates gained him over 43,000 followers as he explored the diverse landscapes, cultures, and experiences that China has to offer.
Marriage and Matchmaking
While Mr. Zhu’s journey suggests that he is against the institution of marriage or matchmaking, it’s important to clarify his stance. He admitted that he feels uneasy on blind dates but is open to a more casual approach to finding a partner.
He even mentioned going to popular places like Haidilao and watching movies, which could be seen as signs of willingness to meet people.
Interestingly, his parents had plans to provide the down payment for his future marital home, a gesture he deeply appreciates. However, he wrestles with the idea of them investing in his future while they themselves have not explored the world.
A Future Uncertain
As of now, Mr. Zhu has no concrete plans for the future. His journey has left him without a set direction, and he is content with letting life guide him. He still hasn’t informed his parents about his job resignation, fearing they may perceive it as irresponsible.