28th October 2026 – (Shenyang) A Chinese food‑delivery worker known online as “Dongbei Xiaohao” has confirmed that he and his American wife Hannah, who holds a doctorate, have decided to end their marriage, bringing to a close a cross‑cultural romance that began in late 2024 and drew wide attention on social media. He said the pair entered wedlock out of love and youthful impulse, but gradually discovered differences in culture, diet and daily habits that they found difficult to reconcile, leading to a mutual decision to separate.
The couple first met in November 2024 when he was delivering meals in Shenyang and encountered Hannah in a lift. Despite the language barrier, they began communicating via translation apps and bonded over shared interests in animals, food and sport. Their relationship moved quickly: he proposed in January 2025 at a metro station, and they held a wedding on 28th March 2025 in his hometown, with Hannah’s parents sending their congratulations via video call. Hannah did not ask for property, a car or traditional betrothal money, a detail that drew considerable online discussion at the time.
In the early months of marriage, they tried to blend routines, adopting a pet dog named Pudding and alternating between Chinese and Western cooking as they explored each other’s culinary preferences. He spoke of plans to travel across China together so Hannah could better understand local cultures, and he supported her ambition to become a writer. However, as day‑to‑day realities set in, differences in language, tastes and lifestyle increasingly surfaced, overshadowing their initial momentum.
Addressing online speculation, he rejected rumours of infidelity or domestic violence and clarified that they have no children, allowing both to move forward independently. He added that Hannah may return to the United States, though no firm arrangements have been made. What had been hailed by some netizens as a “real‑life fairy tale” has thus ended with an emphasis on mutual respect, with both parties acknowledging that affection alone was not enough to overcome persistent cultural and practical gaps.
