(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-02-19 09:26

A man who last week hired a "girlfriend" for the Chinese New Year in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, fell out with her about money.

The man, surnamed Zhou, 25, made an agreement with work colleague Li, 25, to act the part of his girlfriend for a week.

The couple argued, however, when she refused to return the money she received in red envelopes from Zhou's parents and relatives, which came to 4,700 yuan ($650).

The pair was seen quarrelling in the city's Tongbai Road on Thursday afternoon.

Zhou's point was he had paid Li "rent" of 100 yuan a day and therefore she should return the red envelope money. Li contended she earned the money for her good performance.

The pair, from Zhengzhou No 3 Cotton Factory, finally compromised and split the money after they were given a talking to by security guards from their factory.