The Chinese-Türkiye romance of Abu - a Sichuan son-in-law from Türkiye

文：王易 李宁

在四川泸州，活跃着一位与众不同的网红——土耳其阿布。8月9日，随着成都天府国际机场直飞伊斯坦布尔的3U3827航班缓缓落地，这位全网最招人喜欢的“洋女婿”踏上了故乡的土地。

“这次给爸爸妈妈和亲友带了泸州的合江荔枝、黄粑，还有我岳母亲手做的豆瓣酱。爸爸妈妈终于能见到他们想念的孙女了……”说起返乡之旅，阿布有些激动。此行他带着妻子和女儿回到自己的第一故乡土耳其，遥望圣索菲亚大教堂的庄严，体验爱琴海的浪漫，享用美酒、美食。很多网友通过他发布的短视频，感受他阖家欢聚的幸福时刻。

8月22日，阿布又携带妻女回到了他的第二故乡——泸州市合江县。“非常想念四川的好吃的，想念中国的清新空气。”虽然离开不到半个月，但是阿布对于四川的一切甚是想念。

今年是阿布以土耳其“洋女婿”身份在中国生活的第十年。十年间，阿布从城市深入合江的田间地头，不仅学会了一口流利的四川话，就连耕田、种地、收玉米、打谷、割麦等农活也样样精通。回首十年过往，对于远渡重洋的阿布来说，妻子是他的爱情，岳母和女儿是他的亲情，而中国和土耳其广阔的土地就是他的情怀。

阿布

“我的太太是我终身合伙人”

阿布本名布拉克（burak），其实他与中国的缘分不止十年。2010年，他就从土耳其来到中国，从事跨国贸易工作。“我来中国的第一站是浙江义乌，听说中国市场很大，但没有想到这么大，当时就决定要留在这里干一番事业。”为他这个决定增添砝码的是，到广州做生意不久，他就邂逅了人生最重要的另一半。

2012年，阿布与张洪英在一家咖啡厅相识。因为两人都从事外贸工作，便互相添加了联系方式。通过接触，阿布发现这个四川女孩与大多数性格外向的“川妹子”不同，她性格恬静腼腆而且做起事来踏实靠谱，让阿布十分欣赏。

一见倾心的两人很快开始了热恋。经过两年的爱情长跑后，两人于2014年结婚，同年10月女儿出生，如今可爱的女儿已经9岁。漫长相伴的岁月里，变化的是二人的生活越来越好、生意越做越大，而始终不变的是阿布对太太浓烈的爱。

“我的太太很害羞，她觉得我总是在公开场合直接表达对她的爱，这令她很不好意思。但是无论何时何地，我都会告诉所有人说，我爱我的太太，她是我的骄傲。”阿布告诉记者，太太不仅教会他地道的合江话，而且太太身上那种吃苦耐劳、朴实善良、勤俭踏实的中国优良传统品质更让他着迷。

十年间，夫妻二人很少送对方昂贵的礼物，相比用金钱堆砌的快乐，阿布说妻子更喜欢实实在在的行动。所以，阿布做得更多的是，在妻子难过时为她烹饪一顿美食，在她生气时变着法儿哄她开心，在她需要安慰时给她温暖的拥抱。阿布说，他会继续以这种形式与自己的“合伙人”相伴一生。

“四川是我的第二故乡，我深深热爱这片土地”

阿布太太是四川省泸州市合江县甘雨镇瑞丰村人，结婚后，阿布经常和太太回合江老家看望家人。第一次来到合江时，虽然妻子的老家连一条像样的水泥路都没有，但漫山遍野的绿树和乡里乡亲的热情与淳朴让阿布深受触动。

“大家会把自己平时都舍不得吃的土鸡土鸭拿来招待我，在这里，会有一种被当成家人的感觉。”邻里没把阿布当成外人，淳朴的岳父岳母更是将帅气、勤劳的阿布当成亲生儿子对待。

有几年，阿布太太和女儿在广东生活，阿布陪在岳父岳母身边，每天跟着两位老人一起上山干活。繁重的农活让他有些吃不消，每次干完之后他都浑身酸痛，但看到岳父岳母下地，他仍然会主动分担。只要在家，阿布就会为他们做各种各样的美食。和阿布一起生活的这些年，两位老人精气神更足了，笑容也更多了。阿布回忆，有一次他要去广州探望老婆和女儿，岳父岳母看到他离开，流下了不舍的眼泪。也正是这样难舍难分的情感，让阿布萌生了与妻子和女儿一起回到四川老家生活的念头。

四川的风土人情深深吸引着阿布，他偶尔会拍点风景的视频和照片，一开始并没想过发布到网上。阿布开始做短视频的契机，是因为他可爱的女儿。女儿很喜欢刷短视频，阿布便想着拍些有意思的视频给女儿看。此外，阿布觉得泸州的风景、人文都很美，想把这些美景、美食记录下来，他不仅学会了制作手工豆花，还熟练地掌握了四川泡菜的腌制手法。2021年，阿布因发布记录泸州乡村生活的短视频爆红，被网友亲切地称为“全网最孝顺的洋女婿”和“川菜大师”，成为拥有300多万粉丝、获赞超5000万的“网红”。

随着对中国的逐步了解，阿布对这里愈发热爱。大茶缸子、解放鞋、挑粪桶、背竹筐，偶尔划个酒拳，浅酌两杯小酒……入乡随俗的阿布给大家的惊喜还远不止于此，2022年4月，阿布被泸州市聘任为“城市宣传官”，为了更好地肩负起这个身份，他在做短视频的同时，也开始为当地老百姓带货直播，分享合江特色旅游商品永兴诚“五比一”酱油和四川青花椒，产品销售超3万件。以他为主角、由泸州市广播电视台制作的系列短视频《幸福泸州·洋女婿阿布“吆不到台”》获得2022年第四届“第三只眼看中国”国际短视频大赛优秀作品奖。

这些年，阿布去过中国的很多地方，但是他说，他最喜欢的始终是四川。这里的绿水青山和乡村生活能让他抛开工作压力睡个好觉，乡亲们的热情好客让他感觉是村里的“自己人”，乡村振兴带来的变化更让他看到了未来发展的无限可能。

阿布被泸州市聘请为“城市宣传官”

“我在两种文化中间，倍感自豪”

今年2月，土耳其遭遇7.8级强震，彼时正在中国乡村的阿布心系祖国，随即联系四川省公羊会救援队，一同前往土耳其地震灾区开展救援工作。他说：“我的家乡遭遇了灾难，虽然我不懂专业救援知识，但是可以做翻译和后勤。看到四川人民不遗余力地帮助我的国家共渡难关，我内心非常感动。”

6月13日，土耳其驻成都总领事馆正式开馆，阿布被邀请参加开馆仪式。当天他带了不少特产作为礼物，盛情邀请异国他乡的伙伴来四川共同发展。阿布说：“希望通过这样的心意，让土耳其的同胞以及其他外籍友人更多了解中国的文化和美食，而不仅仅是我说给他们听。”

前不久阿布还亮相成都第31届世界大学生夏季运动会期间举办的“青春绽放——世界大学生运动员人文交流活动”。当记者问及是什么吸引阿布留在泸州生活，他不忘以“城市宣传官”身份为泸州代言：“当然是泸州的美食咯！在我们老家合江有早豆花、甜荔枝等众多美食，把我也变成了好吃嘴儿，欢迎你们也来泸州尝尝鲜！”9月份，阿布的父亲也将踏上中国之旅，来四川合江探望自己的亲家。阿布计划带着家人多走走、看看，让父亲感受中国壮美的大好河山与惬意的乡村生活。

今年是“一带一路”倡议提出十周年，土耳其是最早支持共建“一带一路”倡议的国家之一。丝绸之路上的驼铃声虽已远去，但中国和土耳其共建“一带一路”的合作更加紧密，越来越多的人才和商品在两国之间相互流动。随着停航三年的成都直飞伊斯坦布尔国际航班正式复航，阿布的返乡之路更加方便快捷。谈起这次的返乡之旅，阿布说明显地感觉到爸爸妈妈都变老了，希望有更多的时间陪伴父母。通过短视频和直播，他看到越来越多的中国人了解土耳其，也有越来越多的外国人想要了解中国，“我觉得自己正在做的是一件非常有意义的事情”。

对于未来，阿布表示会继续用最质朴的田园生活方式去记录，将所见所闻所感通过短视频与广大网友分享，展现出四川农村的幸福图景，传递中国乡村振兴的信息。作为一位“洋女婿”，他将更努力当好中土两国友好发展的桥梁：“我的很多中文视频被网友上传到了油管（YouTube）上，我准备拍摄英语或土耳其语版本的视频上传到中国以外的视频平台，让更多人和我一起发现、感受泸州的美好，了解中国的历史文化和很多有趣的事。”

在田间劳作的阿布

In Luzhou, Sichuan, there resides a one-of-a-kind internet celebrity from Türkiye- Abu. On August 9, as flight 3U3827 from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Istanbul slowly descended, this foreign son-in-law who is beloved on the Internet set foot on his hometown’s soil.

“This time, I bring Hejiang lychees and Huangba (Yellow Rice Cake), local specialties from Luzhou, for my parents, relatives, and friends, as well as Doubanjiang (fermented bean paste) made by my mother-in-law. Finally, my parents can see their beloved granddaughter...” said Abu, with a bit of excitement about his journey back home. He returned to his first hometown - Türkiye with his wife and daughter this time, and they can immerse themselves in the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia, experience the romance of the Aegean Sea, and indulge in fine wines and exquisite cuisine. Many netizens can feel the reunion moments of happiness through the short videos he posted.

On August 22, Abu returned to his second hometown - Hejiang, Luzhou, with his wife and daughter. “I truly miss Sichuan’s delectable food and the refreshing air of China.” Even though he had been away for less than half a month, Abu yearned deeply for everything in Sichuan.

This year marks the tenth year of Abu’s life in China as a son-in-law from Türkiye. Throughout the past decade, Abu left the prosperous city limit and fully immersed himself in the fields of Hejiang. Not only has he acquired proficiency in Sichuanese, but also he has mastered various agricultural activities, including farming, planting, corn harvesting, threshing, and wheat harvesting. Looking back on the past ten years, for Abu, who journeyed across the oceans, his wife is his love, his mother-in-law and daughter symbolize his family bonds, and the vast lands of China and Türkiye embody his heartfelt emotions.

“My wife is my life partner”

Abu’s real name is Burak, and his connection with China spans more than just ten years. In 2010, he arrived in China from Türkiye and began engaging in cross-border trade. “My first destination in China was Yiwu, Zhejiang. I heard that the Chinese market was vast, but I didn't expect it to be this enormous. From that moment on, I decided to stay here and pursue a career.” What solidified his decision was meeting the most important person in his life shortly after doing business in Guangzhou.

In 2012, Abu met Zhang Hongying at a café. Both of them were involved in foreign trade, leading them to exchange contact information. As they interacted, Abu found that this Sichuan girl was different from the generally outgoing “Chuan Mei Zi” (girls from Sichuan). Zhang Hongying possessed a calm and reserved personality, and she displayed a down-to-earth and reliable nature when handling work and personal matters, which greatly impressed Abu.

Falling in love at first sight, the two quickly began a passionate relationship. After a two-year courtship, they got married in 2014, and their daughter was born in October of the same year. Now their lovely daughter is already 9 years old. Throughout the years of being together, their lives have improved, and their business has grown. As time passed and things changed, Abu’s deep love for his wife remained unwavering.

“My wife is quite shy, and she finds it embarrassing that I always express my love for her directly in public. But no matter when or where, I will tell everyone that I love my wife, and I'm so proud of her.” Abu shared with the journalist that his wife taught him the authentic Hejiang dialect, and what truly fascinated him were her industriousness, simplicity, kindness, and thrift, which are excellent traditional Chinese qualities.

Throughout the past decade, the couple rarely exchanged extravagant gifts. Abu emphasized that his wife values meaningful actions more than the joy derived from material possessions. Hence, Abu’s efforts have revolved around cooking delicious meals for his wife during her moments of sadness, finding ways to bring her happiness when she is upset, and offering warm embraces when she seeks solace. Abu expresses his commitment to continuing the way they get along and accompanying his “partner” throughout their lives.

劳作的阿布

“Sichuan is my second hometown, and I have a profound love for this land”

Abu’s wife is from Ruifeng Village in Ganyu Town, Hejiang County, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province. After they got married, Abu frequently went with his wife to her hometown in Hejiang to visit her family. During his first visit, despite the absence of proper cemented roads in his wife’s village, Abu was deeply moved by the lush greenery adorning the mountains and the genuine warmth and simplicity radiated by the local residents.

“People would offer me native chickens and ducks that they wouldn’t eat except on special occasions. Here, I feel like being treated as family.” The neighbors never regard Abu as an outsider, and his kindhearted parents-in-law treat him like their own son.

For several years, while Abu’s wife and daughter lived in Guangdong, Abu stayed with his parents-in-law and did farm work with them every day. The strenuous farm work sometimes overwhelmed him, leaving him sore and aching, yet he still voluntarily shared the burden with his parents-in-law. Whenever he was home, Abu would cook various delicious dishes for them. During the years they lived together, Abu’s parents-in-law became more energetic and wore more smiles. Abu recalled a time when he went to Guangzhou to visit his wife and daughter, and his parents-in-law shed tears of reluctance upon seeing him leave. It was these attachments that made Abu consider returning to and living in the hometown of Sichuan with his wife and daughter.

Sichuan’s local customs and traditions deeply attracted Abu. He sometimes took videos and photos of the scenery but did not post them online at the beginning. The catalyst for Abu to start making short videos was his lovely daughter, who has a great fondness for watching such content. In order to provide her with enjoyable and captivating videos, Abu decided to create interesting ones himself. Additionally, Abu was captivated by the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of Luzhou, making him document these beautiful sceneries and delectable delicacies. Abu not only acquired the skill of making handmade tofu pudding but also mastered the techniques for pickling Sichuan vegetables. In 2021, Abu’s short videos documenting the rural life of Luzhou went viral. Netizens favorably called him the “most filial foreign son-in-law on the Internet” and “master of Sichuan cuisine”. Abu became an internet celebrity with over 3 million followers and received more than 50 million likes.

As Abu gradually gained more knowledge about China, his love for China deepened. He immersed himself in the local culture, enjoying activities such as drinking with big tea cups, wearing Liberation shoes, shouldering manure buckets, and carrying bamboo baskets on his back, occasionally engaging in the finger-guessing game at drink gatherings and sharing a few drinks with others... Abu’s ability to astonish goes beyond these experiences. In April 2022, Abu was honored with the position of “City Publicity Ambassador” by Luzhou City. In order to better fulfill this role, he continued creating short videos while also venturing into live-streaming e-commerce to directly promote local products. Abu successfully marketed and sold over 30,000 pieces of Hejiang’s featured tourist commodities such as Yongxingcheng “Five-to-One” soy sauce and Sichuan peppercorns. Additionally, the short video series titled “Foreign Son-in-law of Luzhou Abu is Awesome” produced by Luzhou Radio and Television and featuring Abu as the main character, won the Outstanding Award of the 4th “My China Story” International Short Video Competition in 2022.

Over the years, Abu has traveled to many places in China, but he said that his favorite has always been Sichuan. The green mountains, lucid waters, and rural lifestyle here enable him to escape from work pressures and enjoy a restful sleep. The warmth and hospitality of the villagers make him feel like he is part of the community, creating a sense of belonging, and the changes brought about by rural revitalization have shown him the limitless possibilities for future development.

阿布照顾岳母

“I take pride in wandering two cultures”

In February of this year, Türkiye was struck by a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8. At that time, Abu, who was in the rural areas of China, felt a deep concern for his homeland. He promptly reached out to the Sichuan Rescue Team of RamUnion and joined them in traveling to the earthquake-affected areas of Türkiye for rescue efforts. “My homeland was hit by a disaster. Though I lack professional rescue training, I can contribute through translation and logistical support. I am deeply touched to witness the unwavering dedication of the people of Sichuan to aid my country during this challenging time,” He expressed.

On June 13, the Consulate General of Türkiye in Chengdu was opened, and Abu was invited to attend the opening ceremony. On that day, he brought many local specialties as gifts, extending a warm invitation to his foreign friends from afar to join him in the development of Sichuan. “I hope that our Turkish compatriots and other international friends can gain a more profound understanding of Chinese culture and cuisine, beyond what I can merely convey in words,” Abu remarked.

Recently, Abu also made an appearance at the “Blossom of Youth - Cultural Exchange Activities of World University Athletes” held during the 31st FISU Summer World University Games. When asked what attracted him to stay and live in Luzhou, he proudly spoke as the “City Publicity Ambassador” to promote Luzhou, saying, “Of course, it’s the delicious food in Luzhou! In my hometown of Hejiang, we have a wide variety of delicacies like tofu pudding and sweet litchi, which have turned me into a foodie. Welcome to Luzhou to experience the freshness!” In September, Abu’s father also traveled to China and visited his relatives by marriage in Hejiang, Sichuan. Abu intends to take his family on a journey to allow his father to experience the awe-inspiring landscapes and relaxed rural lifestyle of China.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and Türkiye is one of the first countries to support the BRI. While the sound of camel bells on the Silk Road may be a thing of the past, the cooperation between China and Türkiye in jointly building the Belt and Road has become even closer. More and more talents and commodities are flowing between China and Türkiye. With the resumption of direct flights between Chengdu and Istanbul after a three-year suspension, Abu’s journey back to his hometown has become more convenient and efficient. When talking about his trip back home, Abu clearly feels that his parents have grown older and he hopes to spend more time with them. Through short videos and livestreams, he sees that more and more Chinese people are learning about Türkiye, and there is also an increasing number of foreigners wanting to understand China. “I feel like I am doing something very meaningful,” he says.

Regarding the future, Abu expresses he will continue documenting the simple rural lifestyle and sharing his observations, experiences, and feelings with netizens through short videos to show the blissful scenery of rural Sichuan and convey the message of China’s rural revitalization. As a “foreign son-in-law”, he will strive to serve as a bridge for the friendly development between China and Türkiye. “Many of my Chinese videos have been uploaded by netizens to YouTube. I am preparing to shoot videos in English or Turkish and upload them to video platforms outside of China, enabling more people to join me in discovering and experiencing the beauty of Luzhou, understanding the rich history and culture of China, and learning about many interesting things.”

来源：《一带一路报道（中英文）》2023年10月特刊

【未经授权，严禁转载！联系电话028-86968276】