Max,
I have read your post here, and can agree with the points you made, especially it being a normal day to day life, and the bit's in-between the normal stuff, are what makes it all special.
Those initial days when she first arrived in her new home, there i think you glossed over that period a little too easily..haha!! You didn't mention for argument's sake, the Chinese new wife syndrome (for want of a better description) Where there mindset changes from being a girlfriend/ fiance to becoming a live-in wife. When there mindset changes, ... to become overall concerned for the health of the family and it's well being. That's when the culture thing kicks in, where they assume almost everything concerning the family, rarely if ever asking, as they assume you already know this and that ,and why she is doing what she's doing. The truth is ...You don't!! ....It took me weeks, to get her to ask or tell me about things, and generally discuss things like food, housekeeping, cleaning, clothes washing, just general stuff like that. The times they take things the wrong way, when you try and help with cleaning the house, or put some washing on, in the machine. In fact, anything to do with the home. They consider that, is there domain and business, and not yours to interfere with....
It's as if they take on this different personality, when it comes to looking after her family, but come evening time, when the the days work and the chores are all done. They then can revert back to that loving sensuous woman that you fell in love with.
I've now been living with Lucy 3 years now, 2 here in Cyprus and a year in China. Most of the things we found strange in each other and in our ways, are now past, but still every now and again something will pop-up that will confound us..... lol!!
There's heaps more to be told, but i want other married guy's here to give there experiences of that newly married life..... because it sure is different to anything they will experience on there short trips to China. ....before and after being married!!
David.....