Chinese man can keep US$40,000 cheating ex gave him to say sorry, court rules

A Shanghai court ruled that a man was not obliged to return the 300,000 yuan (US$40,000) his ex-girlfriend gave him in an attempt to salvage their relationship after he discovered her affair with his nephew.

The man, surnamed Li, and the woman, identified as Xu, met in 2018 and soon began dating. Two years later, Li discovered that Xu had been unfaithful with his nephew, as reported by the Shanghai Morning Post.

Angered by the betrayal, Li wanted to end their relationship, but Xu wrote him a letter of apology.

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“I have deeply reflected on my mistakes. Yes, I’ve cheated on you multiple times, causing you immense pain,” Xu wrote. “I am sincerely remorseful. I will correct my mistakes and compensate you with my sincerity.”

In the following two days, Xu transferred 300,000 yuan to Li through several bank transactions as a form of apology.

Li forgave her, and their romantic relationship continued until 2022, when he discovered she was still involved with his nephew.

This revelation prompted Li to end the relationship decisively, but afterwards, Xu demanded the return of the 300,000 yuan she had given him two years earlier.

According to Xu, the money was a gift contingent upon their marriage. Since they had broken up and the condition of marriage no longer existed, she claimed Li should return the money.

Li rejected her request, arguing that Xu had cheated on him multiple times and caused him significant emotional distress; therefore, he considered the money compensation for her actions.

Xu subsequently took her ex-boyfriend to court in Shanghai. After hearing the case earlier this year, the court concluded that the nature of the disputed funds aligned more closely with Li’s explanation.

The court ruled that Li was not required to return the money, as it had been given by Xu voluntarily at a time when she wished to continue their relationship. The court did not classify it as a gift.

The case has sparked considerable discussion on mainland social media.

“My God, their relationship is so chaotic!” commented one netizen.

Another observer remarked: “It’s more dramatic than novels or television dramas.”

Conversely, one user expressed a different perspective: “The money was compensation for the loss of love and loyalty.”

Infidelity frequently makes headlines in China.

In August, two senior doctors in eastern Zhejiang province were involved in a violent confrontation over a nurse with whom they both had an extramarital affair. One of the doctors sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the intensive care unit he oversees.