A Battle We Had to Win: Yan Lianke on Matchmaking

Yan Lianke, a Chinese author, recounted his experience with matchmaking during a time when being unmarried at 25 was considered a disgrace. He was promoted to a high-ranking position in 1982 and eagerly sought a life partner. However, he never thought about what kind of person he desired in a spouse, nor the nature of love itself.

One evening, he met his matchmaker, an elderly cadre who appreciated literature and had published his works in a local magazine. The woman he brought along shared a passion for literature, much like the matchmaker. They were a trio of rural literary enthusiasts. Despite the peculiar nature of the encounter, the young woman did not act as one might expect—a shy, romantic heroine.

Instead, she behaved as if she were conducting an investigation or field study. The matchmaker gently instructed them to sit, and the romance began. They shared a meal consisting of four pocket eggs each, with the young woman expressing her disapproval of the countryside eggs' earthy scent. The conversation between the matchmaker and the young woman delved into their literary achievements and aspirations, revealing a mutual respect and admiration for each other's work.