The customer who ordered a bowl of noodles was Hannah, a 30-year-old American English teacher in the city. As the door opened, Liu saw the woman’s bright smile and blurted out, “You are beautiful! I love you!”

Hannah laughed. To her, the goofy but sincere confession was more memorable than any elaborate flirtation.

That evening, they began chatting on WeChat using the automatic translation feature. Liu showed Hannah his two cats, his home-cooked meals, and videos of him roller-skating. They discovered shared interests in animals, food, and sports.

Liu confessed his love to Hannah at first sight. Photo: World Journal

Liu confessed his love to Hannah at first sight. Photo: World Journal

Liu wasn’t Hannah's ideal partner, but she was touched by his enthusiasm and sincerity.

He wooed her with the help of a translation app, sending jokes in his northeastern dialect that made Hannah laugh. They had endless conversations, ranging from silly questions like, "Do you like braised pork?" to "The stars are brighter in my hometown than in the city."

He took her to eat baked goods at the morning market, which she found more delicious than steak at a Western restaurant. During the winter, Hannah insisted on accompanying him on his deliveries. They huddled together on his electric scooter, both their noses red from the cold, reflected in the rearview mirror. "He showed me that joy doesn't require expensive things, just someone to laugh with," Hannah shared.

In 1/2025, Liu mustered his courage and proposed: "Although we haven't known each other long, I feel you are kind and the person I've been searching for." Hannah accepted.

Their wedding took place in Liu’s hometown at the end of March. Hannah's parents couldn't attend but sent their blessings via video.

The delivery driver married a beautiful woman without a dowry. Photo: World Journal

The delivery driver married a beautiful woman without a dowry. Photo: World Journal

On their wedding day, Hannah wore a red ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) embroidered with a phoenix, riding in the wedding procession into the village. The villagers buzzed, "Liu’s son, a delivery driver, married a foreigner. It must be a blessing from a thousand deliveries."

After their marriage, they continued using the translation app while learning each other's languages. Every night, Hannah learned five Chinese phrases, and Liu learned five English words.

Their married life was full of humorous situations. Hannah, attempting to use a washing board, accidentally tore Liu’s delivery uniform. She then sat in their small rented room, mending the shirt. Liu taught his wife Chinese love songs, translating them into English with his thick northeastern accent.

Their love story has taken Chinese social media by storm. "While people are busy calculating dowries and houses, the rarest thing is the ability to 'be together and laugh until your stomach hurts’," one person commented.

Liu revealed the secret to winning Hannah's heart was sincerity. "I often sent her pictures of the delivery driver rankings with the message, 'I'm number one in the delivery zone today, am I worthy of you now?'" He believes his initial boldness gave him the opportunity: "If you love someone, you have to be brave enough to say it, don't be shy."

The couple plans to open a small restaurant called "Love Hot Pot," symbolizing that sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter are all true flavors of life.

Bao Nhien (World Journal)