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A recent marital dispute in China has sparked widespread online debate as a groom attempts to recover a substantial bride price after discovering his wife’s ongoing involvement with a former boyfriend.
According to reports from First Help Group, a man identified as Ajie (pseudonym) and his bride Ame (pseudonym) got engaged in April 2022, with Ajie’s family gifting her a bride price of 500,000 yuan (approximately $70,000 USD). The couple registered their marriage in January 2023, only for Ajie to later discover Ame’s continued connection with her ex-boyfriend.
The issue began when Ajie found intimate photos of Ame with another man dated May 18, 2022, a month after their engagement. When confronted, Ame allegedly admitted the man was her former boyfriend and claimed the meeting was to settle a loan of 70,000 to 80,000 yuan that she had previously given him. However, Ajie was reportedly unable to trust her explanation and, feeling deeply hurt, requested a divorce.
Ajie’s mother revealed that her family, eager to support their only son’s marriage, voluntarily pledged a bride price of over one million yuan, including 700,000 yuan in direct payments to Ame, an 80,000-yuan engagement gift, and other customary fees. Now, Ajie’s family is seeking to reclaim a portion of this bride price, but legal restrictions pose a challenge.
Under Chinese Civil Code, bride price refunds are typically only granted in specific situations, such as when the couple has not registered the marriage, has registered but not cohabited, or if paying the bride price has led to financial hardship. Ajie’s circumstances do not meet these requirements, leaving his request for a refund legally ambiguous.
Legal experts have noted that while Ajie’s situation doesn’t meet the strict criteria for an automatic refund, courts may consider other circumstances in practice. In cases where one spouse’s behavior breaches good faith in marriage, judges sometimes allow for partial refund rulings to address fairness.
The case has drawn widespread attention and divided opinions online. One user commented, “If the bride price is meant to support a new family, using it while meeting an ex feels wrong.” Others sympathized with Amei, with one remarking, “If she truly loaned him money, that doesn’t justify a refund of the bride price.”
