Don't expect juicy soundbites from Chinese businessman Li Chao, the husband of national paddler Li Jiawei.

Ask him a question and he deflects it as swiftly as Jiawei blocks a topspin smash.

He followed every other query The Sunday Times put to him with a query of his own to this reporter.

For example, when asked if, like Jiawei, he felt that 'feeling and fate' were the reasons he knew that she was The One, he asked: 'Do you know what yuan fen (fate) is?'

He then went on to dissect the two Chinese words and explained that yuan meant opportunity and luck, while fen represented the need for hard work.

So he was asked: 'Did you put in a lot of effort in wooing Jiawei?'

He did not answer this but instead threw back the question: 'Do you believe in fate?'

But rather than coming across as defensive or difficult, there is a charm about this tall and bespectacled man who guards his privacy so fiercely.

From what little he would reveal of himself, it is known that Mr Li, who is in his mid-30s, studied medicine at a university in China.

He went on to become a doctor before working at a state-owned enterprise.

He is now the chairman and general manager of Beijing Trade Star Medical Technology Development.

It is understood that he set up the business, which has hundreds of workers.

A check of its website revealed that the company was set up about five years ago and is fast becoming a player in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry.

He is clearly business-minded. When he spotted two Yellow Pages books which were being used as props for the wedding photo shoot, he asked to look at them.

He proceeded to search for the contact details of companies which distribute health products.

Mr Li is the youngest of five children and has a sister and three brothers.

While the interview was conducted in Mandarin, he understands English and indeed was spotted reading The Straits Times while waiting for Jiawei to do her make-up.

When he got to the sports section, he was asked if he reads reports of his star paddler wife. 'Definitely. I do so a lot,' he said.

He has been to Singapore too many times to remember, and has visited all the obligatory tourist spots like the Esplanade, Sentosa and the Night Safari.

He enjoys local favourites like chicken rice and black pepper crab but Chinese food is what he favours most and he is a fan of the Crystal Jade chain, which is also one of Jiawei's favourite eateries.

As for what Jiawei loves about him, she told The Sunday Times: 'He is steady, dependable and humorous. And he takes very good care of me.'

He is clearly very much in love with her, and said: 'We're both very busy people so we cherish the time that we have together.'

This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Jan 18, 2009.