On the second week of her vacation in Missouri, Niuniu starts to date a 20-something guy named Tom, who she met at a party. Tom works as a jailer in a federal prison, but he is very smart and talented. He writes crime stories in his spare time and believes in Buddhism. The best part about Tom is that he respects women. Every so often, he will cook for Niuniu, preparing his own recipes for corn bread and smoked tuna. Niuniu loves spending time with him. They ride horses, play golf, go shooting and fishing together. Their dating life is idyllic. Niuniu and Tom often joke that if they had depended on a computer dating service, they would never have been matched because they are a completely different species. Tom is a country boy, a WASP, more than two metres tall, 102kg and a conservative Republican. He voted for George W. Bush, was in favour of the war in Iraq, hates the United Nations and the French, loves the quiet country life, professional wrestling, boxing and car racing. He disapproves of homosexuality and abortion. Niuniu, meanwhile, is a city girl, Asian, 1.6 metres, a 50kg liberal Democrat, and a cosmopolitan journalist. She plans to vote for Hillary Clinton if she runs for president, was against the American invasion in Iraq, believes the UN Security Council can throw off the hawks, and enjoys the busy city life of Beijing, Shanghai, New York and Hong Kong. Niuniu watches Ally McBeal and Oprah, has gay friends, and girlfriends who have had abortions. From their political views to their favourite shows, Niuniu and Tom have nothing in common. Niuniu never dreamed she would one day date a jailer who watched stupid professional wrestling. This type - a redneck, a group that on her chart barely beats the Neanderthals - is the last type she likes to associate with. But Tom is the best date Niuniu has had. He's like a teddy bear: sensitive, loyal and protective. He teaches her things - from how to putt to how to bait a hook. And he's great in bed. Niuniu contemplates writing to big dating firms such as Match.com to tell them that opposites attract. Her girlfriends in China are astonished by the fact she is dating a jailer. Both Beibei and Lulu call her. 'It's a big loss of face if you come back with a man who works in prison,' Beibei says. Lulu adds: 'Fishing? Making bread? It sounds boring. American suburban life is not for us.' 'But Tom is nice,' Niuniu says. 'But he is not one of us,' Beibei comments. 'He's not yuppie or international enough for you.' 'But Tom is a man of integrity. I've met too many international yuppie jerks - from San Francisco to Beijing,' Niuniu sighs. 'Now you know why we are still single,' Lulu says, 'We love our lifestyle better than we love love.'