Love can often defy logic, but few stories have stirred public intrigue and controversy quite like that of Sister Xin, a 50-year-old Chinese entrepreneur who recently married her son’s Russian classmate, Defu. What began as an ordinary festive dinner years ago has now become one of the most talked-about romances on Chinese social media.
With a significant 20-year age difference and a cross-cultural twist, their relationship has ignited both admiration and criticism online. Sister Xin, who has more than 13,000 followers on Douyin (China’s version of TikTok), regularly posts glimpses of her lavish lifestyle, her affection for her younger husband, and updates on her recent pregnancy.
The couple’s story reads almost like a modern fairytale—one that began with a chance meeting, endured cultural hesitations, and ended in an unexpected pregnancy and marriage. However, it’s also one that has drawn sharp opinions and skepticism, with many wondering if love truly knows no bounds—or if this romance is just too strange to be true.
From Host to Bride: A Dinner That Changed Everything
It all started six years ago, when Sister Xin’s son, Kaikai, invited three of his foreign classmates to their home for a Lunar New Year dinner. Among them was Defu, a Russian student who impressed everyone with his fluency in Mandarin and his easygoing demeanor. While most parents would see such a visit as a polite gesture, for Sister Xin and Defu, it marked the beginning of an unusual connection.
Sister Xin had already been divorced for 20 years at the time, raising her children as a single mother and establishing herself as an independent businesswoman. Her hospitality during that dinner left a lasting impression on Defu, who decided to extend his visit from one night to a full week. According to her, he was charmed by her cooking and her presence. She jokingly recalled, “I was still young and attractive then,” speaking to the South China Morning Post.
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Following the visit, Defu stayed in contact with her. Over the years, he sent her gifts and thoughtful surprises, never losing touch. It wasn’t long before he made his feelings known, although Sister Xin initially dismissed the idea of romance due to their age gap, height difference, and their vastly different cultural upbringings. But time—and persistence—can change minds.
The Public Response: Love, Criticism, and Speculation
The couple’s decision to formalize their relationship earlier this year, and the subsequent announcement of Sister Xin’s pregnancy, sent shockwaves through the internet. Comments flooded social media platforms, especially Douyin and Weibo, with users sharply divided in their reactions. For some, it was a beautiful testament to love’s unpredictability. For others, it was either a publicity stunt or an act of desperation.
妊娠中の50歳の中国人女性が、息子のロシア人同級生と結婚
— takayuki (@takayuki0710ssk) June 30, 2025
二人は6年前、息子がロシア人留学生の友人を夕食に誘ったことがきっかけで出会いました。年齢も身長も大きく差があったにもかかわらず（男性は20歳年下で、かなり背が高い）、二人の間には深い絆が生まれました🔽 pic.twitter.com/eLLvc0srW1
One user wrote, “This feels like a scripted romance made for attention. It is too perfect to be real.” Another commented with concern: “Will she move to Russia with Defu? She might be the same age as his parents. How will that work?” Such reactions highlight the discomfort many feel about unconventional relationships, especially those involving older women and younger men—a dynamic still often viewed through a judgmental lens in many societies.
Despite the backlash, Sister Xin has not shied away from sharing the realities of her new life. From posting videos of their travels across China to sharing her prenatal check-ups, she continues to assert the sincerity of her love story. In one post, she held up her medical report and stated, “Time will prove our love,” addressing critics who doubted the authenticity and longevity of their relationship.
Redefining Love and Motherhood at 50
Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of this story is not just the marriage, but Sister Xin’s decision to have a child at 50. Pregnancies at this age carry significant medical risks, both for the mother and the child, and are rare even with modern reproductive technology. But for Sister Xin, the joy of starting a new chapter with Defu outweighs the concerns.
She announced her pregnancy on June 8, stating that while the journey would be difficult, it was one she embraced wholeheartedly. The couple has already begun preparing for the baby’s arrival by purchasing a cot and making lifestyle adjustments. For Sister Xin, who already raised children as a single mother, this marks an unexpected return to motherhood under vastly different circumstances.
Their life together now includes extensive travel, culinary adventures focused on regional cuisines like Cantonese delicacies, and visits to historical sites such as the hometown of martial arts legend Wong Fei-hung. These shared experiences, she says, have only deepened their bond. Defu, despite being much younger, appears equally invested in their life together, showing maturity beyond his years—or at least, that is the image they present online.
Yet, this new chapter raises questions not just about love and family, but about societal expectations, the evolving nature of relationships, and the boundaries people are willing—or unwilling—to accept. While men marrying younger women is a long-accepted norm in many parts of the world, the reverse often invites scrutiny, ridicule, or disbelief.
Sister Xin’s story is a powerful example of how gendered expectations continue to shape public opinion. Had the roles been reversed—with a 50-year-old man marrying a 30-year-old woman—it is unlikely the same level of vitriol or suspicion would have been directed at the couple.
Nonetheless, she remains unbothered. Her confidence and willingness to share every part of her journey publicly, despite the backlash, has garnered her a loyal base of supporters who see her as a symbol of self-empowerment and emotional courage. To them, she is not just a woman in love but a figure who challenges conservative thinking.
Whether Sister Xin and Defu’s love story stands the test of time remains to be seen. What is certain is that their romance has forced many to reconsider their assumptions about what love should look like, who gets to fall in love, and when. In the digital age, where personal stories quickly become public debates, theirs has become a lightning rod for deeper conversations about age, power, gender, and authenticity in relationships.
As their baby’s due date approaches next spring, the couple continues to live their life unapologetically. For now, Sister Xin stands firm in her choices, facing public scrutiny with poise and determination. Whether she is seen as a bold romantic or a controversial figure, one thing is clear—her story has captured the world’s attention in the most unexpected way.