She said yes

For centuries men have got down on bended knee to propose marriage. But a scene in Huangshi city in Hubei province took the tradition in a new direction. Onlookers were surprised to see a twenty-something woman getting a marriage offer outside a shopping mall. The man was 60 and according to Nanfang Daily he was the wealthy boss of a local property developer. He pulled out all the stops to convince his would-be bride, hiring a drone to film his elaborate proposal, which included a message of undying love emblazoned on a nearby advertising screen. To get the crowd behind his act of courtship, his lackeys even handed out cash gifts of Rmb999 ($160.9) to anyone who expressed support. The woman said yes.

A less fortunate outcome was reported by QQ News for another very public proposal on a busy road in the city of Neijiang in Sichuan. The man presented his intended with red roses and hired a ‘courtship team’ to hold banners aloft proclaiming his devotion. Crowds cheered as he kissed her. But the heady atmosphere soured when staff from the public security bureau arrived. They announced that major events held on the street they were on had to be registered in advance. Accordingly, the lovers were taken to the police station to be charged for the disruption.

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