Late-Night Tavern

Tonight's guest was a man in his thirties.

He wore a hoodie with a hat and never took it off during the entire conversation. From his pale skin, nervous narration, and stiff body language, I guessed that he was a typical otaku who rarely went out and had little interaction with people.

The guest asked me to call him "Mario" - an obvious pseudonym. The story he wanted to tell was about "benxiàn" - a term that has become popular in recent years on the internet, meaning the transition from online dating to real-life encounters. So, Mario's story of benxiàn began with an online relationship.

To my surprise, as soon as he started telling the story, Mario discarded his previous restraint and spoke fluently and confidently, as if he had undergone training.

Mario told me that he was an illustrator who usually took on orders from publishers and advertising companies to make a living. In his spare time, he created personal works of art and uploaded them to Weibo (a Chinese social media platform). Because of his unique style, he gradually gained some attention and followers.

It was on Weibo that Becky found Mario.

Six months ago, her first comment was, "Your art is amazing!"

Becky's Weibo profile picture seemed to be her real photo, and coincidentally, it was the type of photo Mario liked. Naturally, he clicked on Becky's profile and scrolled through her previous Weibo posts - especially the ones with photos. From those posts, he learned that she was a college student in her early twenties who loved anime, games, cosplay, traveling, ice cream, and Shiba Inu dogs. In short, she was an adorable and beautiful young woman.

What caught Mario's attention even more was Becky's location on her profile - it was the same city as his.

So, Mario, who rarely replied to comments, awkwardly interacted with Becky, saying, "Thank you for your praise."

Their first interaction ended there. However, a week later, when Mario posted another artwork, Becky sent him a direct message.

Becky said, "Your artwork is really amazing! Can I ask if you can draw a picture for me in this style? I'm willing to pay, but if it's too expensive, I might not be able to afford it..."

Shortly after, she sent him a selfie, featuring big eyes, long black hair, a slightly pouting mouth, and a hint of cuteness, despite being a bit tacky.

Mario agreed to her request and wholeheartedly drew a picture for her - and, of course, he didn't charge her.

After that, Becky added Mario on WeChat (a popular messaging app in China), and their communication became more frequent and intimate. Their relationship gradually warmed up. Initially, Mario had doubts about whether Becky might be a fake girl or someone who had used someone else's photos to deceive others. After all, such incidents of using attractive girls to scam naive guys for money or emotions were not uncommon on the internet.

However, Becky often sent voice messages to Mario and even had a few video chats with him. Gradually, Mario let go of his doubts - the person behind the Becky account was indeed an adorable and beautiful girl.

On Valentine's Day, Mario gathered his courage and sent Becky a 520-yuan red envelope (a symbolic gesture of love in Chinese culture). Shortly after Becky received the red envelope, Mario's doorbell rang, and to his surprise, it was a delivery guy with a Valentine's Day gift.

Mario was overjoyed because it turned out that Becky had asked him for his detailed address a few days earlier to send him chocolates on Valentine's Day.

With this, Mario believed that their romantic relationship was solidified - at least, that's what he thought. The online interactions between Mario and Becky continued to flourish, with daily messages, calls, and video chats becoming the norm. They shared their interests, dreams, and even their deepest secrets with each other. It felt like they were emotionally connected on a profound level.

As their bond grew stronger, Mario couldn't help but yearn for a real-life encounter, to finally meet Becky in person. He hinted at the idea several times, but Becky always seemed hesitant and evasive, coming up with various excuses.

Mario's patience began to wane, and doubts started creeping back into his mind. Was Becky hiding something? Did she have genuine reasons for not meeting in person, or was she playing with his feelings? These thoughts consumed him, and he couldn't find peace until he had answers.

One day, Mario decided to confront Becky directly. He expressed his concerns about their lack of physical meetings and questioned the authenticity of their relationship. Becky responded with a mixture of sadness and frustration, assuring him that she truly cared for him but had personal circumstances that made meeting difficult.

Curiosity got the better of Mario, and he pressed further, demanding to know the truth. Becky finally confessed that she had been battling a severe illness for the past few years. It was a condition that required frequent hospital visits, medical treatments, and isolation to prevent the risk of infections.

Stunned by this revelation, Mario's initial doubts were replaced with empathy and concern for Becky. He felt guilty for doubting her and realized that her reluctance to meet in person was rooted in her own struggles with her health.

They spent hours talking, and Becky opened up about her condition in detail. It was a chronic illness that had taken a toll on her physically and emotionally. She shared her fears, hopes, and the challenges she faced on a daily basis. Mario listened attentively, offering support and understanding.

From that day forward, Mario's perspective on their relationship shifted. He admired Becky's strength and resilience, seeing her in a new light. Their connection deepened even further, and Mario became more determined than ever to be there for her, whether in person or through their virtual interactions.

Over time, Mario and Becky found creative ways to bridge the gap between their online and offline worlds. They would have virtual movie nights, share meals through video calls, and even take walks together while talking on the phone. Mario also made an effort to educate himself about Becky's illness, attending support groups and researching potential treatments.

As their bond continued to grow, Mario realized that love knows no boundaries. Their online relationship had evolved into something much more profound and meaningful. It wasn't about the physical presence; it was about the emotional connection they had formed.

With time, Becky's health improved, and she gained the confidence to finally meet Mario in person. It was a nerve-wracking but beautiful moment when they saw each other face to face for the first time. Their online connection had laid a strong foundation, and their in-person meeting only solidified their love for each other.

Mario and Becky's story of benxiàn is a testament to the power of genuine connections that transcend the boundaries of the digital world. It reminds us that love can blossom even in unconventional circumstances, and sometimes, the most profound relationships are the ones that defy societal norms.

And with that, Mario's story came to an end, leaving me and the audience touched by the resilience and depth of their love. As the episode concluded, I couldn't help but feel a renewed appreciation for the complexities and possibilities of human connections in the digital age.