China food delivery driver, 28, & US teacher, 31, marries after just 6 months, splits due to 'irreconcilable cultural differences'

During a chance encounter in the lift of an apartment building in China, a 28-year-old food delivery rider greeted a 31-year-old U.S. teacher with: "Hello, I love you."

That sparked a whirlwind courtship and the pair, who did not speak each other's language, got married four months later.

While things went swimmingly at first, they soon discovered that love itself isn't enough to transcend cultural and language barriers.

"I love you" at first sight

According to South China Morning Post, the unlikely duo first met when the 28-year-old Liu Hao was making a delivery to a flat in November 2024.

Liu is from Liaoning province.

While in the lift, she bumped into 31-year-old Hannah Harris.

Harris is from Alabama, U.S., but was teaching English in China.

During that chance encounter, Liu greeted Harris with the simple English phrase: "Hello, I love you."

Thus their love story began. The two started talking and discovered a shared love for food, sport and pets.

In January 2025, just four months after their first meeting, Liu popped the question.

They got married two months later.

Their story gained attention online after users were impressed with how Harris had foregone traditional marriage customs by not asking for a dowry.

Cracks began to show

After the marriage, Liu and Harris moved to Hangzhou in September 2025, believing that nothing is insurmountable with the power of love.

Neither spoke the other's language, according to SCMP.

So, they relied heavily on translation apps to communicate.

However, they struggled to express their feelings and resolve misunderstandings.

Cultural differences also became hard to bridge.

While Liu preferred northeastern Chinese dishes, Harris preferred pizza and sweets.

Harris also grew increasingly homesick after two years in China.

It all came to a head on Oct. 23, 2026, when Liu shared a video confirming that the two had separated.

Limits of love

Liu clarified that "irreconcilable cultural differences" led to the split, adding that there had been no infidelity or financial disputes.

Liu also rejected claims that he had gotten into the marriage for a U.S. green card or for online fame.

"I used to believe that having love was enough," Liu said, SCMP reported.

"I never expected that, in the end, it still could not withstand reality."

Liu has returned to his home province and plans to pursue livestreaming.

Harris will return to the U.S. next summer. She declined to comment when approached by a Chinese media outlet.