The story of a newly wed Chinese-Western couple has been receiving a lot of attention on the Chinese web recently. The bride and groom in question are both well known figures in the Zhejiang literary and music scene. She, an American journalist and he, an author and musician, chose to tie the knot in a very traditional Chinese ceremony. One reporter couldn’t resist the curiosity and went to the house of the newly weds to find out the inside scoop. 

The Bride - Journalist

Kang Rui, also known as Bec, was born in New York and graduated from Philadelphia University. She came to China ten years ago to work as the Editor of the Zhejiang English-language magazine In Touch Zhejiang. In 2009 she was hired by the Associated Press and is now an AP reporter stationed in Shanghai.

The groom - Author and musician

Well-known in Shanghai, Liu Jian is a staff writer at the Zhejiang literary magazine Jiangnan and the published author of the novels Soldier and Veterans, both of which have been translated into English and German and reported on by the American cable network CNN, the German broadcasting station ARD, the Japanese broadcasting association NHK and Dongfang TV, among others. In 2008, Liu Jian started the "Shanghai Folk Singers Alliance," making him an important figure among the Shanghai folk music scene.

The wedding

 

Photo: Groom rides tall stallion to escort his American bride

At 11:30 a.m. yesterday, I arrived at the house of Liu Jian in Dongan to find the new bride Kang Rui helping her mother-in-law Zhang Hong prepare lunch.

As soon as she saw me, Kang Rui exclaimed "Happy New Year!" in surprisingly excellent Chinese. Seeing my surprise, Zhang Hong laughed and told me that not only is Kang Rui’s Chinese very good, she also has a strong sense of filial piety and is quite humourous to boot. "She came to our house on the 28th day of the 12th month of the Lunar Calendar," Zhang Hong said, "and as soon as she got in the doorway she made sure to carefully sweep off the entrance. Every day she helps prepare all three meals and as soon as the dumplings are ready she always makes sure to place the first bowl in front of her elders."

Kang Rui and Liu Jian were married on February 28th. "After she had traveled such a long way to get here, we decided to use the most traditional of marital ceremonies to welcome the new bride," said Zhang Hong. She elaborated that Kang Rui was carried along in an 8-man sedan chair, while her new husband rode to meet her on a magnificent stallion, and drums and flutes sounded all along the way.

"While I was up on the chair I called my mom, my dad and my brothers and sisters; they were all able to share my happy moment with me," said Kang Rui.

The road to love

The 32-year old Liu Jian said that his true loves were writing and rock n’ roll. "In high school and then when I joined the army, my guitar was my constant companion. After being discharged, I took my laptop, strapped my guitar to my back and set out alone."

In July of 2007, after singing his song "Grandmother" at a music club in Hangzhou, Liu Jian was approached by Kang Rui as he left the stage. The two got along well, and Kang Rui told him that hearing the song made her miss her own maternal grandmother. "At first we would often communicate via text message," said Liu Jian. "Later, I went to America to meet her parents face-to-face. They were very satisfied, and after her parents came to Shangcai to meet my family last year we began planning our marriage."

Liu Jian and Kang Rui received their marriage certificate in Zhengzhou on July 19th 2010. "On July 13th of last year—my 30th birthday—Liu Jian gave me a very special present," said Kang Rui. "He printed out all the texts we had ever sent to one another—3,000 lines and 70,000 words in total—and had them made into a beautiful book which he then gave to me. Liu Jian is a very determined, diligent, patient man."

The promise

"My third novel, Memories of a Wandering Singer, will be published this year," Liu Jian said, "and I am currently recording my first LP, entitled Grandmother. Walking the road of life hand-in-hand with my soul mate, and with such a cozy home to return to, should really jumpstart my musical and literary productivity."

"I love Liu Jian," said Kang Rui, wearing a deeply happy look on her face. "He’s so creative and enterprising. Creativity is the source of a happy life, and Liu Jian and I will pursue an innovative, creative and sincere life with one another. With our hearts intertwined, we will walk together toward a happy tomorrow."
 

Source: club.comment2.news.sohu.com

Related links
How To: Attend a Chinese Wedding
Dreading Your Wedding: Chinese Women and the Pressure to Marry
How to Get Married in China

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: Liu Kang wedding American journalist Chinese wedding Chinese western couple wedding