08/25/2026
Would you stay at a blind date if 23 unexpected relatives suddenly showed up for dinner?
In October 2020, an unusual blind date in Zhejiang, China, became widely discussed after what was supposed to be a simple dinner between two people turned into a gathering of more than two dozen guests.
A 29-year-old man identified as Liu had been introduced to a woman named Zhang through a matchmaker, with the introduction reportedly arranged with help from his mother. Liu agreed to meet Zhang for dinner and offered to pay, expecting a normal first meeting where the two could get to know each other.
Instead, Zhang arrived with 23 of her relatives. According to reports, Liu had not been informed beforehand that such a large group would be joining them.
The situation became even more surprising when the relatives reportedly ordered a large amount of food and drinks. Expensive dishes, alcohol, and premium ci******es were among the items ordered, with the group spreading across several dining rooms.
By the time the meal was over, the bill had reportedly reached 19,800 yuan—roughly $3,000 at the exchange rate at the time. What had begun as a blind date had suddenly turned into a very expensive dinner involving more than 20 additional people.
Liu reportedly became upset by the situation and left the restaurant, switching off his phone afterward. Zhang was then left facing the restaurant bill. Later, Liu offered to pay around 4,000 yuan, while Zhang was reportedly expected to deal with much of the remaining amount.
The situation became even more complicated when Zhang asked her relatives to help pay. According to reports, several of them refused, allegedly arguing that they had been invited to the dinner and expected to eat for free.
The disagreement eventually moved beyond the restaurant and into the legal system. The case was taken to court, where the local court reportedly ruled largely in Liu's favor.
The court determined that Liu should not be responsible for the meals and purchases made by Zhang's relatives simply because he had agreed to meet Zhang for dinner. According to reports, his responsibility was limited to his own meal and Zhang's, which amounted to approximately 1,400 yuan.
The unusual case quickly attracted attention because it raised questions that go far beyond the size of a restaurant bill. A first date is generally an opportunity for two people to meet and decide whether they want to pursue a relationship not necessarily an agreement to finance a large gathering of relatives.
The incident also sparked debate about communication and expectations in relationships. Had Zhang told Liu in advance that her relatives would be attending, he could have decided whether he was comfortable with the arrangement before sitting down at the table.
For many people, the most surprising part was not simply the final bill, but the idea that a blind date could unexpectedly become a test of someone's willingness to spend money.
In the end, the dinner did not lead to the relationship Zhang and Liu may have hoped for. Instead, it became an unusual legal dispute and a widely discussed example of why clear communication and agreeing on who is paying before a meal can prevent an awkward situation from becoming a very expensive one.
