“A girl’s first time is her best thing,”wrote Peking University student Mou Linhan to his classmate and girlfriend Bao Li (not her real name)at the beginning of their relationship,berating her for not being a virgin.“My future is my best thing,” retorted Bao.

However, Bao’s subsequent suicide attempt in October 2019 and declaration of brain death in December have sparked discussion about whether she was mentally abused. According to leaked chat logs, Mou asked Bao to meet a variety of demands—such as getting a tattoo stating “I am Mou Linhan’s dog,” and undergoing sterilization—while suggesting he’d marry her if she obeyed.

Some netizens have pointed out the similarity of Mou’s actions with classic “pick-up artist” techniques.Others lamented the “manipulative charisma” and “cruel abuse of power” of a star student in the government management school of one of China’s most prestigious universities. Peking University has revoked Mou’s recommendation for graduate research. - TINA XU (徐盈盈)