Romantic Occupational Hazard

[Launching in November]

★ Marriage first, love later | Seven-year age gap | Complete strangers before marriage

★ Bright, lively, pampered young woman vs. cold, restrained top lawyer

The once-prosperous Wen family is on the brink of bankruptcy. Their usual friends all shut their doors, but the Zhou family is the only one to step forward and offer to honor the marriage agreement made years ago.

Wen Xiangni has been surrounded by fine clothes, fine food, gold, and jewels since childhood. A famously spoiled darling, she has never met this "bargain husband" and doesn't even know what he looks like. All she knows is that he's older and has a bad temper.

As soon as she moves into their new home, she looks around with slight disdain and starts issuing orders in her stiletto heels. "Turn the study into my dressing room. The bedding has to be Egyptian Giza 45 cotton. My skin is delicate, so I can't sleep on cheap stuff. And I want a new car, a Ferrari. I like the Moonlight Pink one."

Her new husband: ...

The next day, Wen Xiangni goes to report for work at the law firm and sees the name of its senior partner: Zhou Ji.

Her bargain husband instantly becomes her boss.

-

At the firm, Zhou Ji is known for being impartial and strict about everything, like a walking law book. He doesn't give her the slightest consideration for their living together, and Wen Xiangni nearly cries after being scolded several times.

Poor Wen Xiangni has to put up with her boss's pressure during the day, then fulfill the marital duties written into their marriage agreement at night.

Exhausted, she rubs her lower back and cries, "I want to change the terms! The number of times is clearly unreasonable!"

Zhou Ji kisses her cheek, but coolly rejects her request. "Respecting an agreement is part of a lawyer's professional ethics."

-

They manage to maintain their act of being a couple who treat each other with respect. After all, once the term is up, Wen Xiangni can just walk away.

Until one day, Wen Xiangni works late at the firm reviewing case files. A sudden downpour starts, and an intern from the same firm gives her a ride home.

But as soon as she enters the house, a dark figure pins her against the wall. The living room is pitch-black. Wen Xiangni is about to scream in terror when she is suddenly pulled into someone's embrace.

The white lights snap on, and she sees the divorce papers in Zhou Ji's hand. The man's eyes are red, his voice husky as he accuses her, each word dripping with pain. "Is it because of him? You want to divorce me?"

Wen Xiangni stammers, about to explain, but the arm wrapped around her waist tightens even more.

Soft lips brush her collarbone, warm breath lingering by her ear. His words sound like a plea, but his actions are far too forceful.

"Please don't divorce me. How about we go public at the firm tomorrow?"

"Then we can have a baby and be together for the rest of our lives."

Wen Xiangni: Wait a minute. This doesn't sound like what's written in our agreement!

Reader's notes:

Marriage first, love later. Complete strangers before marriage.

Seven-year age gap, both leads are virgins, happy ending.

The title and character names may change before the novel launches.

Blurb revised on 2025.4.5, screenshot saved.

Theme: Face life with optimism and positivity.