A court in East China's Anhui province held a hearing for a divorce on Aug 4, but what started as a separation became a reconciliation.

Wang Haihua, a lawyer from the Jieshou People's Court in the city of Fuyang, listened to the husband, surnamed Duan, recount in court his forced separation from his wife and children while working in faraway in cities.

"Once you get divorced, your nine-year-old twin son and daughter may need to be separated. How can you bear that?" Wang said.

The lawyer's words made the wife cry, and Duan lowered his head.

After some discussion and persuasion, the couple finally agreed to repair their relationship and halt the divorce process.

"We do not have big problems in the relationship and I will be more responsible for my wife and children," Duan said.

A lawyer talks with a psychological consultant to find solutions. [Photo by Zhou Ruiping/People's Court Daily]

A psychological consultant talks with the plaintiff, hoping to mend her relationship with her husband. [Photo by Zhou Ruiping/People's Court Daily]

Court hearing at the Family Tribunal of the Jieshou People's Court in Fuyang. [Photo by Zhou Ruiping/People's Court Daily]