"A story that’s both starkly real and richly romantic. The heroine faces hardship yet dares to offer sincerity first in every relationship. Through her, we see that a woman’s sense of security can only be forged by herself. Persist, strive, and live wholeheartedly — eventually, you’ll meet a stronger, reborn version of yourself."
——Mu Qingyu, author of the hit drama "You Are My Hero"

"Xiao Yue’s writing captures the struggles and quiet desperation of modern urban life, as well as the longing for happiness. Her tender yet powerful prose inspires resilience and offers life lessons."
——Yue Xieyingqing, author of "Stealing the Emperor to Modern Times" and "One Night Bride"

"Titled ‘The Daily Grind’, yet between the lines, I found the warmth of a lived-in, loving world."
——Jiu Tu, mentor of the Web Literature League, winner of the Mao Dun Literature New Talent Award and Liang Yusheng Literary Award

"A rare and refreshing take on marriage and love. Through the unique lens of ‘security’, it masterfully weaves human nature, conflict, and hot-button issues into a narrative that leaves readers growing alongside its characters."
——Cangming Shui, author of the hit drama "The Glory of Tang Dynasty"

"Xiao Yue’s books are like coffee in the city — rich, lingering, and addictive, with a bold, unforgettable flavor."
——Li Yi, author of "Investment Queen"

★A brand-new release from Xiao Yue, the "Queen of Marriage and Romance Fiction" — a deeply relatable urban love story brimming with the warmth of everyday life.

★Highly recommended by renowned authors Mu Qingyu, Yue Xieyingqing, Jiu Tu, Cangming Shui, Li Yi, and more!

★The heroine's character breaks the mold of typical romance novels: she comes from a single-parent family, has a non-local household registration, an average salary, and, crucially, she is overweight. Yet, this plus-sized woman has a strong sense of right and wrong, a positive outlook on life, a deep longing for family, and excellent cooking skills. Like each of us ordinary people, she may not be able to shine like the sun illuminating the earth, but she has that ray of light to warm herself and those around her.

★In this fast-paced, chaotic world, we all crave security — but the truth is, no one can hand it to you. You have to build it yourself. This is one of the core themes of the book. The novel reflects the author’s unique and profound insights on love, marriage, family, and life, while also revealing raw truths about society and human nature.

Average family. Average job. Average looks.
Loves life’s simple pleasures, adores the daily grind, has no grand ambitions.
A textbook pushover — but even pushovers get their springtime!


Gu Pan, scarred by her parents’ divorce and a childhood starved of affection, appears timid, weak, and pitiful — a classic "doormat". But beneath the surface, she’s fiercely determined. At 28, she resolves to reclaim the sense of security she’s lost over the years by buying her own apartment. Yet, even after moving in, true warmth and safety remain elusive.
Du Qinghan, a high-flying urban professional drowning in work and two failed relationships, has long given up on love. He thinks emotional detachment is the only way to avoid pain. Cold and domineering, he wears his arrogance like a snail’s shell, hiding a fragile heart. He believes marrying a meek, dependable woman will guarantee a peaceful life.
They meet through a blind date, become engaged, and nearly part ways after judging each other’s facades. But when they glimpse the real person beneath — oh boy — sparks fly like lightning meeting wildfire…

Xiao Yue is a contemporary Chinese writer, member of the China Writers Association, and screenwriter. Specializing in urban inspirational and marriage-themed stories, she has been hailed as the "New Queen of Marriage and Romance Fiction". She has published numerous novels, including "Married but Not Blind", which topped Sina’s Original Fiction Rankings for 35 consecutive weeks. The novel has been released in print, and its film/TV adaptation is currently in development.
Her TV script credits include "Life and Death in Liping", "My Youth Is Not for Rent", and "Living with My Ex-Husband". Her film screenplays include "Love at 18° North Latitude", "One Last First Love", "When a Tiger Falls for a Cat", "The Bride Price", and "How Much Love Can Start Over?".

Chapter 1: Marriage! Love It or Leave It
Chapter 2: Buying My Own Place, Living My Own Life — Who Did I Offend?
Chapter 3: My Home, My Rules
Chapter 4: Let Me Give You Security—Can You Feel It?
Chapter 5: Let’s Make Peace with Happiness

Name: Gu Pan
Gender: Female
Age: 28
Height: 166 cm
Weight: 65 kg
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job: HR staff at a joint venture
Base salary: ¥7,000 + performance bonus
Family background: No local household registration; parents divorced and remarried


The men reviewing her profile all furrowed their brows at the same line: "Weight: 65 kg" —
"That’s way too fat, isn’t it?"
The prospective mothers-in-law were horrified by the last detail, "Not a local, AND her parents are both remarried? That’s way too messy!"
Meanwhile, Gu Pan’s friends sighed in disbelief, "How did this plain, plus-sized girl with nothing special going for her manage to land a husband so fast through a blind date — and with a guy like THAT? What does that say about the rest of us, the ‘slim foxes’ still left on the shelf?"


Name: Du Qinghan
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Education: Master’s degree
Job: Senior executive at a foreign bank
Annual income: ¥1 million
Family background: Civil servant family; owns car and apartment; parents in good health


Before every blind date, the women zoomed in on one thing first — the photo in the top-right corner.
"Is this a celebrity?"
"Wait, is this REALLY not a celebrity?"
"How is this not a celebrity??"
The prospective mothers-in-law loved every line of his profile, but their burning question was always:
"When’s the wedding?"
"Seriously, WHEN?"
"Don’t let someone else snatch this perfect son-in-law away!"
The people around Du Qinghan couldn't help but marvel, "Such a freakishly well-endowed and exceptional individual actually ended up with an ordinary-looking, overweight girl from out of town. And they got engaged, moved in together, and are even preparing to get their marriage certificate after knowing each other for not long. This has made a bunch of gossiping married and unmarried straight guys feel a lot more balanced all of a sudden."


Gu Pan’s longtime best friend, Hu Lianyan, had this to say about blind dates:
"The modern blind date is just an evolved version of arranged marriages. We’ve streamlined the process — no more checking birth charts for compatibility — but upgraded it with a new twist. A man and a woman get labeled with their ‘specs’, and if the price matches, they’re put on a timed order. The ‘purchase’ is announced to the world with great fanfare, making everyone green with envy… only for the buyer to realize, too late, that there’s no warranty. Trying to return the product? That’ll cost you—maybe even leave you permanently damaged. So most people just leave it gathering dust rather than go through the hassle of an exchange."
With grave solemnity, Hu Lianyan concluded:
"If marriage is the tomb of love, then blind dates are its desecration. Seek true love? Stay the hell away from blind dates!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Pan’s mother planted her hands on her hips and snapped:
"You see? Even ‘well-matched’ couples just muddle through life together. And YOU — with your mismatched background, your ‘light-years-apart’ qualifications — you dare hesitate? All those ‘Six Walnuts’ brain-tonic drinks I fed you wasted! I swear, I should stuff you back into my womb and reinstall some common sense!"
Gu Pan’s forehead sprouted three metaphorical black lines as a flock of crows seemed to fly past, cawing in the background.