The happy couple take their pre-wedding photos in Switzerland. Photos by Zhao Lin for Shanghai Star

Lonely path for 'leftover' women

Smart and healthy

Even then, Li was sure that Gu was the right girl for him. He had not even introduced his friends to his dearest grandfather. In China, only when a couple starts to talk about marriage will they be introduced to each other's family. Li often took Gu to fly kites, go fishing and pick watermelons. "He opened a colorful world for me," says Gu, who grew up in the city.

Only 10 days after making their relationship official, Gu had to leave China to attend a monthlong program in Finland.

For the love-struck couple, everyday felt like a year. The night before she returned, Li was so excited that he could barely sleep.

However, they soon had to part once again, as Gu was traveling to Australia for six months to study as an exchange student.

Every time they spoke via online video calls, Li would capture a screenshot of Gu's image and print it, eventually filling two photo albums. Whenever he missed her, he would look at the photos.

"All the time he is expressing his love for me with lots of simple and sincere gestures. He does not think it is a big deal, but I am really touched," Gu says.