Everyone seems all geared up to solve my personal issue

I was a little nervous with anticipation on my way back to my hometown of Wuhu, a middle-sized city in southern Anhui province recently for my vacation. Shortly after I unpacked my luggage, my mom asked me half-jokingly: "Any chance of you bringing home a girlfriend next time?"

In the next few days when I visited my relatives, the same question resurfaced. Honestly, it was not beyond my expectation, especially since my youngest cousin just had a baby boy.

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Although my parents claimed they were not in a hurry to see me settle down, they said their friends have been asking them about it and giving them pressure.

My parents are 57. I am 24 and the only child. To most people in China, marriage should be on the cards already. If I waited any longer, my parents will be too old to help take care of my child.

Most Chinese senior citizens play an important role as babysitters.

If I still lived in my hometown, I would be considered one of the odd ones with no wedding bells in the horizon. Many of my childhood friends in Wuhu are married, or at least planning to tie the knot soon, starting with the purchase of a new apartment.

I had dinner with six old classmates, all guys, when I was home and I was one of two at the dining table without a girlfriend - the other guy lives in Shanghai now.

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My single colleagues in Beijing probably share my feelings whenever they go back home. I consider myself luckier than the ladies, who may have a harder battle to fight. They have to face relentless interrogations from their curious relatives.

Chinese people describe finding a lifelong partner as "to solve the personal issue". One's life mission is accomplished only after he or she gets married.

Perhaps our culture is not one which tolerates bachelorhood, even if it's only temporary. If I may speak for the other singles, I feel that the fast-paced lifestyle and hectic work schedule in metropolises have made it tough to date or look for a spouse. Chinese parents thus have taken things in their own hands by introducing potential partners to their children, sometimes even "forcing" their children to go on blind dates and get married quickly so that they can have a grandchild to play with soon.

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