Netizen contributions:
My name is Zhang Qiang, I was 32 years old at the time, and I was working tepidly in China, barely making ends meet. By chance, I heard that I could make a lot of money working in Angola, Africa, so I decided to embark on a journey to Africa, hoping to bring a better life to my family.
Angola, a country located in southwestern Africa, is full of mystery and unknowns for me. When I first arrived, I was surprised by everything that was happening here. The scenery, the architecture, and the way people live here are very different from what I am used to.
I quickly got a job on a local construction site. Although the work is hard, the income is indeed much higher than in China. I was busy on the construction site every day, moving bricks, mud, and building walls...... Every job requires a lot of hard work and sweat. But when I think about being able to change my family's life, I feel like it's all worth it.
On the construction site, I met a passionate African friend named Amir. Amir was dark-skinned, but cheerful, and always made me laugh in his less proficient English. We often had lunch together on the construction site, he would teach me some local slang, and I would share some Chinese culture and customs with him.
One day, Amir said to me mysteriously: "Zhang Qiang, I know a very beautiful girl, her name is Susan, she is only 14 years old this year, she is very beautiful, and she is very hardworking. I think you're a good fit, would you like me to introduce you? ”
When I heard this, I chuckled in my heart. Although I am 32 years old, and I am considered an older unmarried young man in China, I have always been very cautious about marriage. Moreover, Susan is only 14 years old, which makes me feel a little uneasy.
"Amir, thank you for your kindness, but Susan is still too young, right?" I said with some hesitation.
Amir smiled, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Zhang Qiang, you don't have to worry, the customs here are different from your China. In our case, girls can get married at the age of fourteen. And Susan is a very smart, very capable girl, she can help you take care of the family, you will definitely like her. ”
I was still a little hesitant, but Amir's enthusiasm made me feel overwhelmed. So, on a weekend afternoon, I followed Amir to Susan's house.
Susan's home is located in a small town in Angola, and although the house is shabby, it is clean. We were received very warmly by Susan's family, especially Susan's mother, who prepared a sumptuous dinner for us in a way that I had never seen before.
After dinner, I finally met Susan. She was, indeed, a very pretty, intelligent girl, as Amir said. Although she is only 14 years old, her eyes reveal a maturity and strength that does not match her age. We talked a lot, from her studies to her family to her vision for the future. I found that she was a girl with a lot of dreams and pursuits.
In the days that followed, my interactions with Susan became more and more frequent. We walked around the town together, watched the sun go down together, and talked about our lives and dreams together. I found myself liking this African girl more and more, and I was deeply touched by her strength, independence and optimism.
However, I also began to think about our future. After all, I'm so much older than her, and our cultural backgrounds and living habits are very different. Can I really give her happiness?
These confusions haunted me until one day, when Susan's father came to me and talked to me about our marriage.
"Zhang Qiang, I can see that you like Susan very much, and she likes you too. The bride price we have here is very simple, all you need is a cow. What do you think? Susan's father smiled at me.
I was stunned. A cow? This is simply an incredible thing in the country. But in Angola, it is a custom. I suddenly realized that everything here is so simple and pure. There are no cumbersome etiquette and expensive bride price, only the most sincere feelings.
I looked at Susan's father, took a deep breath, and then nodded firmly, "I do." ”
At that moment, I suddenly understood what was going on in my heart. I love Susan, no matter how different we are, I am willing to try to overcome it and create our own happiness with her.
Our wedding took place in a small town and was simple but full of warmth and joy. I took Susan's hand and walked into the palace of marriage. At that moment, I looked at her bright eyes and happy smile, and my heart was full of gratitude and commitment.
However, marriage is not the end of a fairy tale, but the beginning of a new life. We need to face a variety of challenges such as cultural differences, age gaps, and lifestyle habits. But I believe that as long as we work hand in hand, we will be able to create a better life that belongs to us.
In this land of Africa, I have gained love and growth. I learned how to communicate, understand and be inclusive with people from different cultural backgrounds. I also learned how to fight and give for love.
Susan and I have been working together for many years now. We have children of our own and have been through many ups and downs. But no matter what difficulties we encounter, we will hug each other tightly and face them together.
Whenever I think back to that fateful moment—when I heard that "the bride price is only a cow", I feel extremely blessed and satisfied. Because I know that it is not just a cow, but a symbol of pure and deep love between us.
Life in Africa is full of challenges, but it is also filled with simple joy and warmth. Susan and I run our little family together, not wealthy, but full of love.
Every morning, I would wake up early to go to work on the construction site, while Susan would be busy preparing food, taking care of the children, and raising the only cow in our family, the one that was used as a bride price. This cow means a lot to us, it is not only a part of the family, but also a testimony of our love.
In the evening, I would return home at the end of the day's work and exhausted. From afar, I could see Susan standing in the doorway waiting for me, her smile always dispelling all my tiredness in an instant. We'll walk into the house together and enjoy dinner as a family. Although the food on the table is not hearty, every bite is full of the taste of home.
As time goes on, our children grow up. They grew up in this foreign land, learned two languages, and were immersed in two different cultures. They would play with the local kids in the town, learn African dances and songs, and also learn from me about Chinese culture and traditions.
I often lament that life is hard, but with Susan and the children by her side, everything is worth it. We have experienced so many difficulties and challenges together, and we have also shared so many laughter and warmth together. These experiences have deepened our relationship and made us cherish each other more.
Of course, in this strange land, we often feel lonely and helpless. Whenever this happens, we will hug each other tightly and use our love for each other to dispel the fear and anxiety in our hearts. Together, we reminisce about those good times and imagine the future together.
As time went on, I also started to get used to the land and the people here. I learned the local language and integrated into the way of life. I have found that while our skin colors, cultures, and habits are different, our love of life and our pursuit of happiness are the same.
Here, I witnessed the beauty and desolation of the African continent, and felt the warmth and simplicity of the people. I've also come to understand that no matter where you are, people have the same emotions with each other. We all need love, care, and understanding, which are universal values that transcend borders and cultures.
Sometimes, I would bring Susan and my children back to China and let them experience my home and culture. At this time, Susan is always curious and excited, she will carefully learn Chinese etiquette and customs, and will also try to cook Chinese food for her family to taste. The children enjoyed the event, finding many new friends in China and experiencing a completely different way of life.
However, no matter where we are in the world, our hearts are always on the land of Angola and the friends who are like family. We know that that is our real home, and where our love begins.
Looking back on those days in Africa today, I feel extremely blessed and grateful. Not only did I gain love and family, but I also learned how to live in harmony with people from different cultures, how to face life's challenges and stay optimistic and strong. These experiences will be the most valuable treasure of my life.
In the days to come, I will continue to spend every ordinary and extraordinary day hand in hand with Susan. We will face the ups and downs of life together, and share each other's joys, sorrows and sorrows together. I believe that no matter how many difficulties and challenges there are in the future, as long as we hold hands and support each other, we will be able to overcome every obstacle and create a better life.
At the same time, I also hope that our story can bring inspiration and courage to more people. No matter where we are, no matter what kind of predicament we face, as long as we firmly believe in love, cherish our family, and bravely face the challenges of life, we will definitely be able to find our own happiness and satisfaction. Because in this world, what really matters is our inner feelings and pursuits, not the judgment and constraints of the outside world.
In closing, I would like to say: thank you to that amazing land of Africa and those kind people who have made my life more colorful; Thank you Susan and the children for filling my world with love and warmth; I would also like to thank all the friends who have supported and followed us, it is you who have made us feel the beauty and warmth of the world. May we all cherish each other, cherish life, and cherish this wonderful world!