A man in central China is now filing for divorce after discovering that his wife secretly sent ¥670,000 (roughly US $94,000) to a male livestreamer — and drained virtually their entire life savings in the process. SCMP+2ctdsb.net+2

For eight years, “Mr. Liu” from Zhengzhou worked tirelessly and lived extremely frugally. He eventually saved around ¥1.16 million (about US $163,000) with the hope of building a stable future for his family. All the money was entrusted to his wife, who stayed home to care for their child while he was away working. SCMP+2m.thepaper.cn+2

But when Liu recently asked to review the couple’s bank accounts, he discovered something devastating: nearly all their savings had vanished. According to his wife’s admission:

• ¥670,000 was spent tipping a male live-streamer; ctdsb.net+2SCMP+2

• The remainder of the savings — about ¥490,000 — could not be accounted for; m.6655.cn+1

• On top of that, she took out roughly ¥80,000 in online loans, plunging the family into debt. SCMP+2singtaousa.com+2

In her defense, the wife claimed she had become “obsessed” with the livestreamer, often asking him to call her “baby” in chat. She insisted, however, that they never met offline. m.thepaper.cn+1

When the truth came to light, Liu said he felt utterly betrayed. He tearfully told local media: “I saved every penny by eating simple meals and renting a humble room for just 300 yuan a month, thinking I was securing our future. Instead, she gave it away to a stranger.” SCMP+1

Now, he is determined to divorce her — and seek recovery of at least part of the shared assets before finalizing it. SCMP+1

---

Why This Story Matters

This heartbreaking case has sparked a broad discussion in China and beyond, as many see it as a warning about the darker side of “tipping culture” in livestreaming and the risks it brings to real-life relationships and finances. finance.sina.com.cn+2hb.dzwww.com+2

In fact, Chinese legal experts have pointed out that under the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (as clarified by its 2025 judicial guidelines), excessive spending of joint marital assets without the other spouse’s consent — especially when it “seriously damages the finances of the family” — can be deemed reckless or wasteful behavior, giving the innocent spouse grounds to seek or demand return of assets. m.6655.cn+1

Thus, this story raises serious questions about financial transparency, marital trust, and how “virtual affection” can lead to real-world consequences.

---

A Cautionary Tale for Families & Society

• Financial transparency matters: When one partner handles all savings and finances, ongoing openness and periodic joint reviews are crucial. Hidden expenditures — especially in the hundreds of thousands — can devastate a family’s stability.

• Livestream “tipping” can turn into dependency: What may start as casual support for a streamer can spiral into a destructive habit, especially if one seeks emotional connection or validation through online interactions rather than real relationships.

• Legal protections exist but are reactive: While the law may allow recovery of “wasted” marital assets, it often becomes relevant only after the damage is done. Prevention — through communication and mutual financial responsibility — is better than cure.

• Social support and awareness needed: Families might benefit from open conversations about the psychological and social pressures behind online addiction to livestreamers, and communities may need to treat these not as trivial “fan habits” but as potential threats to mental health and familial well-being.

---

In Conclusion

The story of Mr. Liu is more than a private marital tragedy. It is a painful reminder of how virtual relationships and online tipping culture can erode not only bank balances — but also trust, family bonds, and futures built on sacrifice.