1. A Lifetime of Busyness, A Quiet Loneliness

Ms. Cui is 57 and has just retired from a public institution. Divorced for many years, she raised her daughter on her own. Now that her daughter has a successful career, the weight on her shoulders has finally lifted. But with the quietness of retirement came an emptiness—an empty home that always made her feel something was missing. Encouraged by her daughter, she decided to give it a try and became a client of our agency."At this age, I'm not looking for wealth or luxury. I just want someone warm and caring, someone to see the world with."

2. A Greeting from France

Among the many letters she received, one from 62-year-old Pierre, a French civil servant, caught her attention. He was gentle, loved art and travel, and had lost his wife years ago. His children were already grown and independent.Language was the biggest barrier—Ms. Cui's English was basic, and Pierre spoke with a heavy French accent. But with translation apps and plenty of hand gestures during video calls, they somehow began to understand the sincerity in each other's eyes. Pierre was drawn to Ms. Cui's passion for life, while she admired his gentlemanly charm and sense of humor.

3. A Christmas Date Across 8,000 Kilometers

That winter, Ms. Cui's daughter happened to be traveling to Europe for work and encouraged her mother: "Mom, since you two get along so well, why don't we go meet him together?"So, with a mix of nervousness and excitement, Ms. Cui flew to France. At Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Pierre stood holding a bouquet of flowers, as nervous as a twenty-year-old young man. Although it was their first meeting, their embrace felt as natural as if they had known each other for half a lifetime.Pierre invited mother and daughter to his home for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, he cooked a traditional French dinner himself, while Ms. Cui taught him how to make Chinese dumplings. Snow fell softly outside, the fireplace glowed warmly inside, and her daughter quietly snapped a photo: Ms. Cui and Pierre smiling at each other across the table, their eyes full of unmistakable affection."In that moment, I just knew—he was the one."

4. In April, He Flew Across Oceans with a Ring

After the Christmas holiday, Ms. Cui returned to China. The longing of a long-distance international relationship was harder than she had imagined. Pierre sent messages every day and even began clumsily learning Chinese.The following April, as spring bloomed, Pierre took leave from work, booked his ticket, and suddenly appeared in Ms. Cui's city. Under the cherry blossoms in the park, this 62-year-old French gentleman got down on one knee and, in halting Chinese, said:"Cui, will you let me be your husband? I want to spend every Christmas and every spring with you."

Ms. Cui burst into tears and nodded.

Today, the two are married. They plan to spend summers in southern France and return to China for Chinese New Year. Ms. Cui says: "I used to think international relationships were unreliable. But when true love comes, language, borders, and age are simply not a problem."