The "Pea Princess" Li Ling and her lover Jiang Xiaojun got married on February 6, 2007, in Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Their marriage has drawn much attention from the public. [File Photo: Chengdu Evening News]

 

A 1.28-meter tall woman and a 1.70-meter tall man got married this February. In many people's eyes, they represent an impossible fairytale in the real world. But, just one month after the couple's wedding, the "Pea Princess" seems to have been abandoned by her husband.

 

Chengdu Evening News reported Monday that 1.28-meter tall Chengdu resident Li Ling fell in love with a non-local man named Jiang Xiaojun. Though a normal 1.7 meters tall, Jiang was willing to marry his pint-sized lover.

 

Although many people remain affected by the couple's story and continue to imagine a bright future for the two, the newspaper has announced that Jiang has already been gone for more than 20 days.

 

An acquaintance of Li Ling said that although she at first tried to hide the truth, the helpless wife finally admitted her husband's abandonment recently.

 

Jiang left home on February 26, only leaving his wife a one-line note saying, "I'm leaving and do not try to search for me because it's meaningless." Jiang's mother showed up the next day and said her son's departure was Li's fault. Since then, Li Ling has been depressed and unable to concentrate on her work.

 

The couple's neighbors revealed that the two often quarreled before they got married, with Jiang Xiaojun even leaving Li once before. On their wedding day, Jiang seemed unhappy with their union; some even said they saw tears in his eyes.

 

When asked about her daughter's marriage status, Li Ling's mother became defensive immediately, saying, "There are a lot of rumors at present..."

 

A local lawyer pointed out that Jiang's behavior has already transgressed China's Marriage Law. Li could apply for divorce if her husband remains gone for over two years.

 

(CRI March 20, 2007)