By Alice Yan

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An entrepreneur in China, captivated by her young married subordinate, gave him three million yuan (US$420,000) to facilitate his divorce and compensate his wife.
However, after living with her lover for a year, she demanded he and his ex-wife return the money, realising they were incompatible.
In the first trial at a court in Chongqing, southwestern China, the ruling mandated that the man and his ex-wife return the funds. Yet, the second trial overturned this original verdict, as reported by the Huashang Daily.
The businesswoman, surnamed Zhu, operates a company in Chongqing, although details about her business remain undisclosed in the report.
When a man, known as He, who was younger than Zhu, joined her company, she became interested in him. Both were married at the time, but they soon began an affair.

They planned to divorce their respective spouses before starting a new life together.
To assist He in leaving his wife, Zhu transferred three million yuan to the woman, identified as Chen, on He’s behalf.
This money was designated as compensation for Chen and for the upbringing of their child, according to the report.
However, after cohabiting for a year, Zhu and He decided to part ways, stating that they were not suited for each other.

Subsequently, Zhu took He and Chen to court, demanding the return of the three million yuan.
During the first trial, the court sided with Zhu, arguing that the funds violated public order and good customs, thus deeming it an “invalid gift.” Consequently, the court ruled that the money should be refunded.
Chen and He then filed an appeal. An upper-level court determined that Zhu had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that she had gifted the money to Chen.
Instead, the money was classified as a payment made on behalf of He for divorce compensation and child-rearing expenses, stated the appellate court.

Furthermore, the court noted that Zhu displayed a lack of integrity by seeking the return of the funds after He’s divorce – a situation that she had expedited through her financial support.
As a result, the appellate court overturned the initial verdict, absolving Chen of the obligation to return the money.
The case has attracted significant attention on mainland social media, where internet users have criticised and mocked Zhu.
“It is absurd to spend three million yuan to facilitate a male subordinate’s divorce,” commented one internet user.
Another remarked: “It is unreasonable for her to disrupt another person’s marriage and then demand the money back after the divorce.”
A third online observer humorously noted: “One must secure a handsome husband; who knows, maybe one day he’ll catch the attention of a wealthy woman, and you could become rich overnight.”