China wife finds ex hid US$2 million during divorce while she struggled with US$1,000 medical bills

A long-suffering domestic violence victim in China who struggled to cover the 7,000 yuan (US$1,000) cost of treating her injuries has discovered that her husband had hidden 14 million yuan (US$2 million) from her.The 53-year-old woman’s story, reported by Shanghai Morning Post in early June, has been viewed 20 million times on mainland social media and triggered a heated discussion.The woman, surnamed Wang, who lives in the southwestern municipality Chongqing, and her husband, surnamed He, married in 1998 and had a daughter a year later.Wang claimed that He started beating her over 10 years ago. During the period from 2020 to 2023, He had beaten her more than 10 times.Happier times: Wang and her husband on their wedding day. Photo: 163.comShe took 132 pictures recording the wounds she suffered as a result of the assaults. Among the injuries were three broken ribs and brain injuries, said Wang.As a result, Wang developed serious depression and impaired hearing.She also found out that her husband had cheated on her. He once bought sex toys for his mistress and even brought the woman to confront Wang and provoke her.The mistress made a phone call to Wang, threatening to find a hitman to kill her in an effort to force her to divorce. Wang said she would only stay with He for the sake of her daughter.She said she was not aware of He’s financial situation because He never revealed his income to her.Wang kept an extensive photographic record of the injuries her husband inflicted on her. Photo: 163.comShe spent several years collecting He’s bank account’s information before concluding that He had secretly transferred out 14 million yuan.Further ReadingWith so much money, He, however, refused to give Wang a monthly living allowance of 2,500 yuan (US$370) over the years.Wang generally lives a frugal life. When she went to Beijing for medical treatment, she had to stay in a cheap 50 yuan (US$7) a night hotel and could barely pay the 7,000 yuan medical bill.“I wear T-shirts worth less than 100 yuan each, but He always wears branded clothes and avails himself of cosmetic medicine services regularly,” Wang told the media.“I feel sorry for myself because I was treated wrongly by him,” said a tearful Wang.Wang, above, talks to the media about the 10 years of abuse she suffered. Photo: 163.comShe said she tolerated her husband for so many years because her daughter, then 13 years old, knelt down and begged her not to divorce her father, saying “I want a complete family”.Their daughter later changed her attitude after He continuously beat Wang and also the girl herself.The daughter served as a witness to prove the domestic violence she and her mother suffered.In the beginning of 2025, Wang complained to Yongchuan District Women’s Federation in Chongqing about He’s domestic violence.A local court soon handed out a personal protection order for Wang.In October, the court ruled that He should go to jail and pay compensation to Wang for the crime of intentional assault. Details of the penalties were not disclosed to the public.Wang has filed for divorce and the case is ongoing.“This man is so merciless and mean to his wife and his daughter. He should be punished seriously,” one internet user commented.Another said: “I hope Sister Wang can win the divorce case and get what she deserves.”