Records of Sweet Romance

• Author: Hong Jiu
• Genres: Romance, Urban, Đời Thường
• Status: Completed
• Chapters: 91
• Rating: ★ 4.2 / 5
• Published: 2026-10-05

Starting Over After a Ten-Year marriage

The story kicks off with a massive bombshell: Xu Miyu's seemingly perfect ten-year marriage completely implodes. She discovers that her husband, whom she trusted with all her heart, had an affair, leading to a swift, zero-hesitation divorce. This isn't just the end of a toxic relationship; it's the wake-up call that sparks her journey to reclaim herself after years of sacrificing everything for her family.

Instead of crumbling or trying to leech off alimony after the divorce, she chooses to stand on her own two feet. She starts completely from scratch, taking an entry-level job as a hotel housekeeper and facing the harsh reality of grueling manual labor. Seeing a former wealthy socialite scrubbing floors is such a wild contrast, and it definitely makes you wonder just how much she can endure.

The early chapters focus heavily on her psychological shift as she adjusts to this brand-new environment. Xu Miyu slowly learns the true value of hard work and the freedom she unwittingly traded away in her luxurious mansion. This is a crucial transitional phase, laying the groundwork for her epic transformation later on.

Battling Her Parasitic Family

One of the biggest rage-bait aspects of this book is her family. Her parents are the textbook definition of a bloodsucking family, deeply rooted in toxic son preference. They treat their daughter as nothing more than a personal money tree to fund their golden boy of a son, dumping a mountain of financial pressure right on her shoulders.

Her mother even has the audacity to tell her to just suck it up and ignore her husband's affair just to keep her wealthy lifestyle, completely disregarding her daughter's emotional pain. Feeling indebted to the stepfather who raised her makes Xu Miyu highly vulnerable to manipulation and emotionally drained at first. These moments push the drama to a boiling point, giving her the ultimate fuel to finally bite back.

Her journey of learning to say no and cutting ties with her toxic family feels incredibly realistic. There is no overnight makeover; she goes through tons of internal conflict to shake off the guilt. Facing down these selfish relatives is the ultimate test of her growth and newfound decisiveness.

Climbing the Ladder and the Male Lead's Support

Xu Miyu's rise through the ranks in the hotel industry is no cake walk, especially with sneaky, underhanded coworkers plotting against her. However, through sheer talent and persistence, she gradually earns her place and catches the eye of Ji Feng. He is a cold, perfectionist Executive Director who demands absolute flawless service across the board.

Their romance isn't some cheesy love-at-first-sight trope; it develops naturally through mutual respect and understanding on the job. Though Ji Feng initially comes off as unapproachable, he actually becomes her silent anchor, helping her unlock her true potential. The dynamic between a mature, once-married woman and a successful, high-flying man makes for a romantic connection that still feels incredibly grounded in reality.

The male lead is not just her lover; he's a true mentor who guides her through tough professional challenges. Their chemistry offers a breath of fresh air after all the stressful mind games she has to play with her cheating ex. This relationship helps her regain her confidence and rebuild her self-belief.

Why You'll Love It

• Features an incredibly inspiring and convincing self-reliant female lead.
• Dives deep into the fascinating, behind-the-scenes world of the hotel hospitality industry.
• Perfectly balances a slow-burn romance with a satisfying revenge arc against those who wronged her.
• Unravels toxic family drama and betrayal in a way that feels immensely cathartic.

Things to Keep in Mind

• The toxic family dynamics might feel a bit too frustrating or triggering for sensitive readers.
• The classic boss-employee trope is a bit cliché for seasoned urban romance fans.
• Her rapid career progression sometimes feels a tad too fast compared to real-world blue-collar labor.

Community Ratings

• Source: Jinjiang Literature City: 9.6/10 (250 ratings, checked on Oct 05, 2026). Readers here absolutely rave about the psychological depth and her self-rescue journey.
• Source: Douban (TV adaptation): 5.3/10 (over 26,000 ratings, checked on Oct 05, 2026). This score highlights that the drama adaptation didn't quite capture the magic of the original novel.

The Verdict

Clocking in at a concise 91 chapters, the novel beautifully delivers an empowering message about female independence and pride after a major heartbreak. It's a fantastic pick for anyone who loves a strong modern heroine and is looking for a little inspiration to power through life's hurdles.

Bottom line: An incredibly inspiring journey of self-discovery and finding true love amidst life's absolute chaos.

Tags: divorce, career growth, hotel industry