Russian beauty marries Chinese coal miner -- even though he has no house, car or savings

Sometimes, love is really all you need -- as proven by an unlikely couple who has endured many hurdles in life together.

Chen Jingyang, 28, and Sophia, his 22-year-old Russian bride, held a simple wedding banquet for friends and family at a hotel in Heihe city, Heilongjiang province last Saturday (Mar 25).

According to Shanghaiist, Sophia arrived in Heihe five years ago to study Chinese at a university.

During her time here, she gained a great appreciation for Chinese culture and mastered speaking Mandarin fluently.

Instead of returning home after completing her education, Sophia started work at a company in the city.

She met Chen, then a coal miner, in the second half of 2016 through a friend.

He asked her for her WeChat contact and would spend all his free time talking to her.

Although he did not live downtown, Chen made sure that his family and friends would pass Sophia flowers from him.

He soon asked her out and their romance blossomed quickly.

Just after one week of dating, Sophia visited Chen at the coal mine and soon quit her job to pursue their relationship.

For two months, she lived in shabby mining housing with outdoor toilets and baths, where frogs and rats ran amok.

Despite it being the hardest time in her life, Sophia said it was also her happiest.

Chen proposed to Sophia after half a year and she readily said yes.

He has also quit his job and the couple plan to visit Sophia's home in Russia for a formal ceremony this coming April.

They also hope to start a business in Russia, and travel back and forth between their two homes.

Despite having no house, car or savings, Sophia believes that they share something much more valuable.

She told the media, "I believe that love is the most important thing. We just need to work hard, and I'm sure that we'll soon be able to buy a home and car."