A blind date in eastern China turned into an unexpected headline after a woman reportedly invited 23 family members to join her dinner — all in an effort to test her date’s generosity. What was meant to evaluate character quickly became a costly misunderstanding, raising broader questions about expectations, communication, and first impressions.
According to local media reports from Zhejiang province, Mr. Liu had invited Ms. Zhang to dinner at one of his favorite restaurants, hoping to make a positive impression. Instead, he arrived to find not just his date, but more than twenty of her relatives seated at the table. The gathering reportedly included extended family members, significantly increasing the size — and cost — of the evening. Faced with an unexpectedly large bill, Mr. Liu declined to cover the entire expense.
As the dinner continued, tensions rose. Reports state that Mr. Liu eventually left before settling the full amount, leaving Ms. Zhang responsible for the substantial bill, which totaled approximately 20,000 yuan (about $3,100 USD). The situation later moved to court after Ms. Zhang filed a lawsuit. The court ultimately ruled that Mr. Liu should contribute a portion of the bill — about 1,400 yuan — rather than the full amount.
While the story has drawn widespread online attention, it also highlights an important relationship lesson. Testing someone’s generosity through surprise or pressure can backfire, especially early on. Clear communication and mutual understanding tend to build stronger foundations than elaborate “character tests.” In the end, what was intended as a measure of kindness became a reminder that transparency and realistic expectations matter — particularly when first impressions are on the line.