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It sucks to be single during this time of year, but it sucks even more to be single in China. Apparently, there's a pressure for young women there to show they're in a stable relationship in order to be taken seriously by society. This trend has somehow stimulated a whole new business: rental boyfriends. CBC News reports:
The Chinese even have a phrase to describe a woman who reaches her late twenties without marrying: they call her "leftover woman." It's cause for a family crisis.

And those who are gay face a similar predicament: homosexuality is very much underground in China.
This business is especially booming during the lunar new year, when many go home to visit their families, who they may live far away from. Those interested can exchange travel tickets and lodging in return the "rental boyfriend" to pretend as though he and the client are in a relationship.

Clients can also pay for premium extras which include going shopping ($10 an hour), going to the movies, holding hands and hugging ($1 per occurrence). Strangely, more intimate things like kissing will have to be negotiated, and sex is not an option.