You can buy everything on Taobao, literally, everything. Simply by entering the key words “男友出租” (nan you chu zu, meaning, boyfriend renting), you will find many “vendors” offering boyfriend renting services with different types and prices.

You may wonder why would anyone ever want to rent a boyfriend? Well, where there’s demand, there’s business. And the demand is even higher during Chinese New Year when many singles, especially women, want to avoid their family members’ criticism for not having a partner. According to the discussion on Weibo, “Have you got a boyfriend/girlfriend? Wish you bring a boyfriend/girlfriend home next year” is rated as the most hated greeting during spring festival. “I hate spring festival because of that. Not having a boyfriend has made me feel like the criminal of the whole family since every member will question me and even claim that I’m selfish.” Serena Li, A 25-year old stylist in Shanghai said.

One advertisement on Taobao reads: “I will cooperate with you by being a funny and interesting boyfriend to make you a enjoyable Chinese New Year” He also wrote a clear list of prices, besides all the food and transportation covered, he demanded shopping or party company for RMB15 per hour, RMB100 per meal with the family members, RMB5 per hug and RMB30 per kiss. He offered a generous free charge for sleeping on the same bed, but RMB50 per night for sleeping on a different bed.

Despite the many advertisements on the first five pages on Taobao, only three deals were made. Some vendors only put up the boyfriend renting ads as a way to increase traffic. Others are trying to make money. Some netizens think “it’s immoral for such business to exist.” The fundamental question is: when can Chinese parents let go of their control over their children’s lives and their Confucius belief that marriage is the purpose of life?