• Court rejects return of dating expenses of 30,000 yuan (about $4,200)
• Orders return of half the initial bride price of 20,000 yuan (about $2,800)

A Chinese man faced online ridicule after suing his fiancée to recover all the money he spent on her, claiming she “ate too much.”

According to Chinese media, the man, surnamed He, asked his fiancée, Wang, to return 20,000 yuan (around $2,800) as an initial bride price, in addition to 30,000 yuan (around $4,200) he spent on her during their courtship.

Wang helped run a Malatang restaurant owned by He’s family in Hebei province for six months.

However, He became dissatisfied with her, alleging she “only did easy tasks” and ate large amounts of food daily, which upset his family and led them to believe she had changed.

The court reviewed a list of gifts He gave Wang but rejected his request to recover the 30,000 yuan (about $4,200) dating expenses, stating the money was spent on personal items.

It ruled that half of the initial 20,000-yuan (around $2,800) bride price should be returned, a decision both parties accepted.

The practice of bride price in China sparks debate between those who see it as an outdated tradition and those who view it as compensation for women, with the law allowing its return if the marriage does not take place or the couple does not live together after registration.