From Xinhua (our translation):

Father seeking wife goes so far as to force his 7-year-old son to sit on the roadside with a "notice to passersby"

"Are you willing to be my mother? My name is Hao Hao, I'm 7 years old, my father and mother divorced two years ago... ." Yesterday (August 8) afternoon, at the gate of a neighborhood on Shawan Lu, sat an obedient looking little boy with a "note to passersby" sign, attracting a crowd of people to surround him,

Looking for a wife on the side of the road with a "notice to passersby"

Haohao sits upon a small wooden stool, looking adorable, his clothes clean and in good repair. In front of him is placed a board informing passersby, upon which a shaky hand has used a brush and black ink to write the characters: "Dad and Mom have had so many arguments, finally they divorced two years ago, now Dad and I depend on each other. I really envy other children with mothers, if you agree to be my mother, if you can accept my strengths and weaknesses, if you can give me the mother's love I have lost, when I grow up I will return my biggest love and respect to you."

On the lower half of the board, there's a short section that reveals something of Hao Hao's father, "I am 31 years old now, my last name is You, I'm from Luzhou ... . Now I'm in Chengdu without a car and without a flat, I'm just an ordinary member of the working class, but I like living in Chengdu. If you are 30 or younger and aren't looking for riches or vanity, easygoing, optimistic, understanding, and can accept my son, I will truly, sincerely, and movingly accept and return your trust and love.

"Isn't this using your son to find yourself a wife?" "Aren't you putting your son under your own shadow?" The passersby all rattle off their opinions. "Where's your father?" some ask. Hao Hao says quietly, "He's nearby watching me." He fishes a photograph out from his pocket. "This is my father." "Do you know why your father is having you sit here?" In confusion, Hao Hao shakes his head.