Recently attended a sensational wedding. The groom is a 63-year-old chairman of a listed company, while the bride is a 38-year-old economist and M&A specialist, with a 25-year age difference.
At the wedding, the bride said: “I used to not see marriage as a necessity until I met Mr. Chen. He made me believe in love. We want to prove with this marriage that true love can transcend and break through age boundaries. I am lucky to meet the right person at the right time.”
The bride claimed she married for love, while the groom said he felt the lady in front of him was “a high-quality gold mine” the first time they met.
Their wedding sparked hot discussions online. Many questioned their love, thinking the bride made a significant economic investment.
Some believed they each got what they needed, building their marriage on mutual benefits.
Regardless of whether their love is genuine, everyone has the right to choose their own path in life, and others shouldn’t interfere. As long as the couple is willing, they can live their lives behind closed doors without others’ concerns.
Nothing happens without a reason. The key is that the two parties were not forced by others.
Nowadays, marriage is about autonomy. Despite the significant age gap, both are adults and can choose freely, showing they are confident in their decisions.
At 63, the groom has experienced marriage and lived through most of his life, weathering many storms. At this age, he is unlikely to do anything foolish easily.
The 38-year-old bride chose not a man close to her age but someone 25 years older who could be a parent figure. Some ask, “If the groom had no power or money, would you still choose him?”
Bringing to mind the words from “In the Name of the Family” where Hemei said of Teacher Zhang: “You like his honesty, he likes my beauty. Shouldn’t there be something to gain when you like someone? No one is superior to anyone.”
So, even if the bride is after the groom’s money and status, it’s understandable. Every eligible woman has likely considered the income and family background of potential spouses.
Which woman wants to marry someone penniless, unattractive, or burdened with debt?
Women think about their future, which is entirely reasonable. Marriage is about love or benefits. If one can’t hold onto either, what’s the point of marriage?
Those who say the bride married for money wouldn’t they do the same if in her shoes? No one is that noble, so don’t imagine yourself pure when you’re not.
Because of this couple’s wedding, people remember the wedding of 82-year-old Yang Zhenning and 28-year-old Weng Fan. Many thought their marriage wouldn’t last, believing Weng Fan was after a shortcut in life.
Yet, after over a decade, their marriage endures. Thanks to a happy life, Professor Yang is still sharp, and Weng Fan has no scandals.
In public, the couple always show affection, giving off a sense of firm love.
Many doubted their marriage—an old man with a young wife, a significant age gap. They thought Weng Fan coveted Yang Zhenning’s status.
But even if that’s true, so what? Yang Zhenning provides Weng Fan a peaceful life, and she brings vitality to his later years. Meeting each other’s needs is to be expected.
Those morally judging Weng Fan, if Yang Zhenning were an ordinary man, they would still be together. How would they judge their marriage then?
Many women want to marry wealthy men, and older men wanting young attractive women isn’t uncommon.
In popular dramas, many young women chase successful men, longing for love under the guise of “true love.”
But destroying others’ relationships and families in the name of love—does that make one morally superior?
Compared to that, a 38-year-old bride marrying a 63-year-old groom, both single, the man widowed, the woman unmarried, is a normal choice.
Before marrying Yang Zhenning, Weng Fan went through a failed marriage. Choosing Yang Zhenning wasn’t a hasty decision, maybe a realization after healing from past heartbreaks.
Their marriage, unlike those who break up homes, isn’t transparent. It’s just the significant age gap and celebrity status that make onlookers fantasize.
Choosing between love and bread? Neither is the best answer. Only when both combine perfectly can it be an ideal marriage.
Honey in “Marriage Psychology” mentions love can’t replace money. When love matures, it enters marriage. Marriage is real life where love and money are intricately linked.
Marriage isn’t just about love, it’s about survival, quality of life, the basics.
Love isn’t everything in marriage. Love alone can’t fulfill all life’s needs or replace money’s role in life.
As shoes fit only the wearer’s feet, marriage suitability is personal. Others’ opinions don’t matter.
Marriage is just one way of life, transitioning from singledom to a partnership is a normal choice for any adult.
So, whether marrying someone or being married to someone, what’s wrong isn’t the act itself, but people’s misunderstandings and biases.
Hopefully, everyone can be kinder, more understanding, and refrain from malicious speculation.