Reader advisory: A story based on real life, with no melodramatic love triangle.
At forty, Zhu Yulian is divorced and raising her son alone, making ends meet by running a beauty and wellness salon. After several miserable blind dates, she's given up on love and only wants to raise her child in peace.
At thirty-nine, Chen Lei has never been married. After years away, he returns to his hometown of Bijie and makes a living writing. His parents died when he was young, and after wandering for half his life, all he wants is a little home of his own.
A simple blind date brings together two middle-aged people who've both known life's hardships. After spending just twenty-four days together, they register their marriage, ignoring everyone's gossip and doubts.
Everyone else waits to see their blended family become a laughingstock. The boy has grown up without a father's love. Will he accept Chen Lei, the newcomer?
Life isn't all warmth and tenderness. Her ex-husband Li Wei keeps showing up to harass them and cause trouble. The relatives and neighbors never stop gossiping. Business at the salon is up and down, and the couple quarrel over everyday expenses and disagree about all sorts of things.
Fortunately, they're willing to talk things through whenever problems arise, and never let an argument linger overnight. There are no grand, impassioned vows. In the rhythms of everyday life, these two people who met halfway through their lives slowly learn to understand and support each other.
This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.
