Married to the Protagonist

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“Let’s get a divorce,” Chen Jinyao said.

She knew that she was only a supporting character in this novel world. The male lead only married her as a business relationship and, sooner or later, the female lead of the story would eventually show up.

If Chen Jinyao was indecisive about leaving, only heartbreak would follow.

Something pulled her thin white wrist, and next thing she knew, she was pushed down and pressed against a pillow. Yan Cheng’s peach blossom eyes bored into her in discontent as he declared, “Only in your dreams!”

After spending a colorful night, she was too tired to lift a finger.

When she fell asleep in Yan Cheng’s arms, she had a dream.

In her dream, she had turned 80 years old.

But can someone tell her why she still hadn’t left the marriage at that age?

Associated Names
One entry per line
女配的婚途[穿书]
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
After Transmigration, The Male Lead and I had a HE (2)
Rebirth on the Doors to the Civil Affairs Bureau (2)
A Slight Smile is Very Charming (1)
Hello, Wife! (1)
I Am A Matchmaker on Taobao (1)
I Refuse to be a Supporting Character (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. tbr 2025
  2. Love! Love! Love!
  3. CN novels that I actually like
  4. Love..
  5. Entertaining novels with FL. Part 3

Latest Release

Date Group Release
12/22/24 Atlas Translates c64
12/21/24 Atlas Translates c63
12/20/24 Atlas Translates c62
12/19/24 Atlas Translates c61
12/18/24 Atlas Translates c60
12/17/24 Atlas Translates c59
12/17/24 Atlas Translates c58
12/16/24 Atlas Translates c57
12/16/24 Atlas Translates c56
12/15/24 Atlas Translates c55
12/15/24 Atlas Translates c54
12/15/24 Atlas Translates c53
12/14/24 Atlas Translates c52
12/14/24 Atlas Translates c51
12/14/24 Atlas Translates c50
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47 Reviews sorted by


pastelbunnyyy
pastelbunnyyy rated it
November 15, 2020
Status: Completed
This novel is definitely NOT for those looking for passionate, life changing love stories. Transmigration aside - this is actually quite a good read if you enjoy realistic mature relationships.

I feel like a lot of novels deal with the ideal kind of romance. But in real life romances (especially when you’ve been burned before), it’s not as easy as just jumping into the pit of love. The narrative of slowly adapting to each other’s presence was quite realistic. There’s a lot of [sometimes irrational] fear and self doubt that comes... more>> with loving someone. And this novel tackles it beautifully. <<less
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chibiheaven
chibiheaven rated it
November 6, 2020
Status: Completed
I went in with mixed expectations and was a bit worried about the low ratings. So I was very pleasantly surprised by the beautiful (and hilarious) relationship found here.

I really felt like Yan Cheng and Chen Jinyao were very genuine and even realistic. They very consciously put aside their past and mutually and actively tried to understand each other and bond. This lead to a lovely family that kept me smiling and giggling to myself as I read.

... more>>
Spoiler

I have to agree on what Paige said about the original female lead. In society you need to know how to bow down sometimes. Being righteous is not always the answer.

Actually I felt inexplicably dissatisfied with Su Yan and her attitude throughout the novel in the few fleeting moments that she appeared. In fact when she had first made an appearance, Chen Jinyao (our MC) dreamt about losing her husband to Su Yan and that made her unrealistically irrational but later realised I had actually totally forgotten that she had transmigrated. Later on in the novel, Chen Jinyao reflects on her relationship with her husband and how she felt that they had met at the right time and not late; summing it down to 'fate'. While reminiscing, she very boldly stated that the past her cannot be the current her and the current her cannot be like the past her. Somehow this really hit me and I was just always forgetting that she had, in fact, transmigrated.

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Anyway it all really just boils down to me loving the sh*t out of this novel and I really felt the need to leave this review and my 5 star rating. <<less
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Kaylee
Kaylee rated it
February 20, 2021
Status: Completed
I dont understand this story from the first chapter. It was a hard work trying t read what was actually happened between MC and ML. There was too much useless lines among lines.

Did they have s*x life while they're in honemoon or not? What's ML real face actually? Did he really pretend from the moment he meet the other woman and dig a pit for his business/school rival? What contract was MC and ML draen and acted upon? Why'd MC still feel shy even when they've married and willing to... more>> put the effort to build a harmony marriage life?

I love slow pacing romance, but what these two are doing imo is not that. At least, with the way the author wrote them, it felt so much bland, pointless and boring. One time she acted lovey dovey with her hubby, then tomorrow will turn into the usual 'we are only room mates' feel.

The author failed to build solid personality for both of them and the support characters around them.

And the most important: there was nothing thrilling there to make me anxious and giddy to read further. That's how this novel is bland for me. <<less
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DeuKaeBestGirls
DeuKaeBestGirls rated it
June 4, 2021
Status: c101
I really like this story! It's cute but also realistic. It's not love at first sight and ML and FL communicate to make the relationship work. Their interactions are just so cute. It's also refreshing that the FL's job isn't an actress, surgeon, or assassin.
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akiraa
akiraa rated it
April 8, 2021
Status:
it’s an okay story. Not the best but it’s interesting enough to keep you reading.

i like that FL has a career that isn’t related to the showbiz in any way or an unstable job. She’s a dentist and owns a small clinic btw.

ML is well just another chinese novel male lead that follows the mould or prototype of a “perfect male lead”. What I really like about him tho is that ... more>>
Spoiler

he quit smoking because he doesn’t want to implicate their child’s health in case of a pregnancy. I like that he’s at least rational about it. I've seen first hand the effect of second-hand smoking during pregnancy, so I am quite sensitive about that matter :)

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hard to comment about the villains. Cannon fodders at most I guess

4/5 decent story line, nothing exciting tho <<less
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Gushishi
Gushishi rated it
November 11, 2020
Status: Completed
The story getting plain as you read further chapters.

They are, ML and FL are mature couple, but for this novel we lacked of something that getting us thrilled and wanting more to read the story's plot and narration.

Not much hoping for the next plot, we just knew the ending.

Thanks translator, the description of their situation in any particular setting is very good.

Spoiler

HE. The ML didn't truly love the 'FL', he made himself like really falling for 'FL' just for ruining her.

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3/5.
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PaigeTheParrot
PaigeTheParrot rated it
October 13, 2020
Status: Completed
This is my second experience when I kept smiling throughout the novel (The first one was Novle wife wants no love). This is a realistic story of how an arranged or contract marriage/blind date led to love. One of the unique point of the novel was that the ML wasn't a cold domineering president; but actually had a character and the bickering between the couples felt genuine/ realistic. I also liked that fact that that the supporting characters weren't 2-D but actually had their own thoughts and notions and acted... more>> on them.
Spoiler

The oriFL wasn't bad persay, but just was an inexperienced college student. She didn't like to be a tutor because it required a lot of effort, but she couldn't understand that the salary of a barmaid was only high because they should have the EQ to handle mild harrasment from potential clients. In the end, she didn't have a satisfactory job but understood that sometimes lowering your head is required in a job.

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<<less
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panko-san
panko-san rated it
July 3, 2021
Status: c118
first of all, if you doubt the male lead, please hold out. He is wonderful. Oh my god, this man!

it's a romance story between two mature, sensible adults who choose love. It’s the embodiment of the reality that marriage and love are choices that you work hard to maintain every day, and starkly shows the difference between a passionate, brightly burning but quickly snuffed out flame and a warm, steady fire tenderly stoked and cared for by both parties.
Spoiler

for example, the difference between the main couple and the reason the main couple got married.

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originally, both have very blunt attitudes to each other and they are expecting nothing from one another. But 'familiarity breeds fondness' and they fall in love slowly. They both choose to be honest to the other, and stick to it. There are awkward, embarrassing moments. But this story is the love between two adults who learn how to communicate well. The kind of stable, secure relationship where it feel like no waves will be able to rock the boat hard enough to affect the people on board.

as a side note, there are a few sexist comments (in the narration) that annoyed me, as well as other expected outdated behaviours but I came for the romance and was satisfied. If you're here for interesting characters, or a plot-twisting story, or even just action in general, you won’t find it here. To the reviewers who said it's boring, dull, nothing to make it thrilling, well it’s tagged slice of life. The most eventful thing that ever happens in slice of life is the introduction.

tldr: it’s a fluffy romance with mature hardships and methods of overcoming them. There is little action, so far easily-resolved drama, and a lot of sweetness.

also, translation is 5/5.
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darkelf01
darkelf01 rated it
February 10, 2021
Status: c29
A cute, but bland story. It gets plainer as you read, the couple's interactions were understandable from their situation but those implied couple growth was so dull. What you get are half-baked strings of sentences laden with 'nuance' and 'maturity'.

To be honest, this novel is just an adult-ish version of the cliche C-novel ML and mannequin MC trope.
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DemiUchiha
DemiUchiha rated it
January 9, 2021
Status: c23
The MC is just so dull. I can't continue reading. It's like she's not even trying to work on their relationship. It doesn't matter that they got married quick, what matters is what happens afterwards. If this is the person you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with, why would you not put any effort into having a good healthy relationship? It makes absolutely zero sense.

3/10 would probably not recommend.
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Dragon_Reader
Dragon_Reader rated it
October 18, 2020
Status: Completed
A very mature love story. A wonderful, warm sort of romance that builds up with companionship and time and effort rather than an unreasonable, illogical instant flash. MC is strong, speaks her mind and honest. ML is open and equally honest. They don't hide anything from each other. Their families are also really really nice. Not too interfering but not neglectful either. A definite 5/5. T/L has done an amazing job as well. T/L - 5/5
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ate_gurl
ate_gurl rated it
January 13, 2022
Status: Completed
I AM SO MAD THAT THIS NOVEL GOT SUCH LOW RATING BUT SOME tr*shY, DOG BLOOD, ALMOST NONSENSICAL, CRINGY AS HELL, MODERN ROMANCE NOVEL GETS HIGHER THAN 4 STARS. C'MON GUYS!

Please understand that the genre of the story is slice of life. What do you expect, something crazy or dramatic? I am sooo pissed because I almost did not read this due to low rating. Is this novel a masterpiece? No. Is this novel enjoyable? For me, yes. Is this novel better than other novels with higher ratings? Oh hell,... more>> definitely. At least in this novel we have a rational MC (not some airhead MC who only gets with the ML due to plot armor) and an ML with a personality (not some generic ML who have CEO vibes/creepy manipulating guy who is cold and have an emotional value of a goldfish). The ML and the MC in this novel are just /chef's kiss. I do not really understand why such low rating. Please read if you want some fluff. <<less
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Ihartkimchi
Ihartkimchi rated it
April 18, 2021
Status: Completed
I'd rate this story as pretty average as it doesn't really have a plot persay other than 2 people making their relationship work but it definitely has its charm. Its more of a feel good fluffy story.

But I must say that I am quite surprised about the quality of characterization in this novel. ML actually has a personality that isn't the domineering CEO trope. He's actually pretty lazy and ran a frivilous lifestyle before getting married and seeing him trying to be a better person for his wife and future... more>> kids is really charming. Also I love how he isn't CEO but rather a bar owner (his older bro is the CEO and he's the youngest so he's the spoiled one), its definitely a refreshing change.

MC is also running her business as she's a dentist with her own clinic. Its really refreshing to see different occupation for MC honestly lol.

This novel portrays a very realistic take on the arranged marriage trope. MC and ML are actually communicating with each other (which surprised me) and are working together to make their marriage work. It make sense, they may not love each other at the start but in the end marriage is a form of companionship and they can work towards love later on.

Really enjoyed this story! Highly recommendeed if you just want to chill with a fluffy story. Not recommended if you want a meaty plot since there's not much plot honestly lol. <<less
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Mystiqueeee
Mystiqueeee rated it
January 26, 2024
Status: Completed
Honestly, I can't properly review it due to the poor quality of the MTL. You see, the narration is good, but it's not that easy to understand due to the reason above. It's usually philosophical or metaphorical. It's an interesting way of narrating. I can't say it has a comedic undertone because it's also serious sometimes. Anyway, there were a lot of times where I was confused and I can't keep up with how the story jumps.

As for the romance, it's the marriage first, love later troupe. It's also the... more>> steady and mature type of love, not the passionate and fiery type. It's actually good but not really my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it and prefer that kind of love in real life, but in fictional stories, I kinda get bored with that type sometimes.

As for the plot, there's actually not much going on here. There are few conflicts but almost insignificant. It's really more on how the leads gradually fell in love with each other,

Overall, it's not really bad, but not my cup of tea. I think I'll appreciate it more if there's a good translation. But hey, I must say that out of all those chapters, I enjoyed the extras more than the rest of the story. 7/10. <<less
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smlsqshy
smlsqshy rated it
December 14, 2021
Status: c187
you might expecting a story full of schemes and drama from the description, which I did. But it's the complete opposite, it's more like a fluff healing story, a warm chocholate on a rainy days. Some readers said it's bland and boring, but I don't think so. It's quite realistic in how the author potraying the married couple's life.

... more>>
Spoiler

well, in other story where it's an 'arranged marriage' or marriage without love at first, they will just stay out off each other's bussiness while maintaining the respect they'd agreed upon, or act like sworn enemies or complete strangers. But CJ and YC decided to try their best for this marriage to worked out with steady and natural development. Some readers disliked the 'hypocrisy' regarding their interaction, but I think this is how it's supposed to be. What can you expect from a couple who married out of love when there's a rumour that they'd marry each other bcs their (two) 'true love' got married.

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i think that's the charm of this story, sweet slice of life interaction between them. Maybe because I read too much (and might be your case too) story with many schemes, bloody drama, and so on, I came to like this story for a healing time.

cons [so far I read the story] :

  • there's a little conflict in the story, just a little. but it's fine I guess, since it's slice of life story.
  • the author didn't give an explanation about the transmigration or reincarnation or the original CJ and the novel's world setting. It's focused on the present of this couple. CJ and YC is the main couple here, so the others is just a bystanders to fill the story. Lol.
<<less
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baluiu
baluiu rated it
June 1, 2021
Status: c89
Amazing, its so realistic and mature yet so sweet... there is no drama and unnecessary misunderstanding, ML is great and sweet and FL is strong and smart. They are perfect for each other like a match made in heaven!!! Not just because they are ML and FL but their personalities, humor sense, view of life of life and principles are so well coordinated! It goes so well together and they fill each other gapes perfectly, like what real partners and lovers should be. Even tho the plot is really simple,... more>> it is easy to see the effort and care the author put into the FL and ML characters and their relationshi. Its worth reading but with you like the drama and little problems you may feel flustered and bored.

They are the couple with more chemistry and realism I have ever seen in a novel. <<less
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Miao Meow Liz
Miao Meow Liz rated it
April 3, 2021
Status: c76
Probably one of the few realistic relationship novels out there. The synopsis on top is a dramatic lie (lol). The real story is better, and the ML isn't a cold, mega-rich CEO. He's a silly andd spoiled and develops into a good husband.

The MC is also really fun and calm, not crazy emotional but not cold either. The best part about this couple is that they always eventually talk about whatever is bothering them or what they need. The have fun talking to each other and support each other.

The extras... more>> are also funny. <<less
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seemanta
seemanta rated it
October 11, 2020
Status: Completed
I came to reread this novel after a long time and some of the negative reviews made me unhappy. It's not a masterpiece or anything but it's a good novel that follows it's genre - slice of life. I don't understand people rating this low for it being bland and boring. Real life is bland and boring most of the time! I'd understand if it was a copy paste of other slice of lifes but it's not? It doesn't have much drama and focuses mostly on the lead's emotional development... more>> but they are unique in their own way imo. I LOVE the characterization of the two main leads. The FL is a transmigator but she transmigrated before the story began. She accepted her new life and was already living well before meeting the ML. But as she came after the og body owner graduated college, she didn't have the time to build deep friendships or bonds with others - she was a bit detached and rational, yet kind and warm. So letting ML in her heart was a bit nerve-wracking for her but she slowly warmed up to him. When she and the ML met in a blind date, they both thought that their outlook on life was similar and they could be good companions in life and so they got married. Then they both worked together to deepen their relationship. The ML didn't have overly cold or cruel personality. He was playful and very face-saving? I liked that his personality wasn't one dimensional. And his character development also didn't change him entirely as a person. In a lot of novels, playboy MLs change entirely because of their love for FL but not here. While his feelings for FL played a big part in it, it's also partly because of his vanity. He wanted to be seen as reliable, wanted to be a good role model for their future children, wanted FL and others to praise him. You see, he was very self-aware about his demerits even before meeting FL but getting married made him feel that he should be responsible now and take steps to become better.
Spoiler

About ML being a playboy, it's not actually very true. ML is indeed very playful and flirtatious but he never f*cked around. His so-called first love is just a fake drama that he created himself. That girl was a bit of a gold-digger and wanted to become rich by marrying high. She kinda flirted around a lot of people including ML and his archenemy. That guy was very competitive with ML and wanted to own everything ML wanted. So ML acted out a whole drama about him loving that girl so that both of these annoying people will get together. Also, because he continued this drama from their college life till his marriage, he never got the chance to actually date or sleep with someone other than FL. FL and ML are both their first, I think.

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This is a story about both parties slowly falling for each other with daily interactions. In one review, they said that ML didn't fall in love with FL but made himself fall in love. And, well, I just wanna say, what of it? And what's the difference?? Didn't FL do the same? And it's not like they were forced to like each other. They both agreed to get married and like each other and worked towards it. They already had good impressions of each other before deciding on the marriage. Like, love doesn't have to hit you like a bullet out of nowhere. You can choose someone appropriate and then spend time with them willingly to slowly fall for each other. That's how arranged marriage works smh! Why you gotta make it sound so unfair and angsty?!! They were both willing to fall for each other! This is a 5/5 imo. As a short romance slice of life, this tops my list! <<less
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Tang Ning777
Tang Ning777 rated it
May 9, 2022
Status: --
There is not much angst or drama in this novel. Whatever drama IS, that could only be considered as semi-drama. It's mainly Slice of life and fluff.

But I would still recommend this novel because it has one of the best character development. The flow of the FL and ML's relationship is so mature and slow burn. It seems pretty realistic.

Our FL, Chen Jinyao, is a cool headed dentist who is independent and a bit yandere. She isn't arrogantly cold to ML either. She sorted out her feelings for ML with... more>> ease and caution at the same time.

Our ML, Yan Cheng, was a bastard at first, I would say. You know that type of bad boys, lol. His character development is the most evident in the novel. How from a chauvinistic man who couldn't properly take care of himself, he came to be a caring husband pursuing FL, taking care of his pregnant wife...I'll just give it to the author. Men need to learn about their spouses more and put themselves in their shoes, instead of stroking their vain man ego. Yan Cheng is also adorable. The way he pursued FL again is hilarious and cute. Sometimes he did things in a way left me totally dumbfounded. He is also a cunning and blackbelly man. That he can be a dominant lion and an adorable cat at the some time is, I love about him for the most.

Their relationship is also without any unnecessary misunderstanding. Honestly, also in real life I think we can improve on our relationships be it friends or boyfriends if we communicate, avoiding unnecessary troubles. Their communication and understanding really tempted me for a relationship. I mean a loving partner, a cat, a stable life, what more could I ask for.

P.S:

But I forgot I am an anti-social introverted potato T_T

Anyway, if you're in for a Slice of life and fluff without much angst and the main leads with banters, you're in for a treat! <<less
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KeejaKim
KeejaKim rated it
May 1, 2022
Status: Completed
Fr3@king Underrated!!! I don't know why it has a low rating what the?!?! I almost hesitated bcs of it, thank god I didn't.

Characters: Both ML and FL are fvcking great and mature! They actually talk things out. Their communication is a chef's kiss. FL is quite rational and insecure. She's the type who distances herself from others, that includes ML. But she had a great character development due to ML who did everything to gain her trust and gave her a sense of security. ML is the "fvck later, talk... more>> first" kinda guy lmao.
Spoiler

Quiet literally. There was one time when the FL was acting weird and asking for divorce out of nowhere. Bcs of anger, ML pushed her to bed but instead of punishing her by forcing her to do it, he tried his best to hold back his desires and talked things out with her.... yes, they talked while he was having blue balls lmfaooo.

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ML, on the other hand, is fvcking perfect! He's not OP. He is a really noob husband but he gradually became a perfect husband. He was even called "uxorious". He is also a genius and manipulative.
Spoiler

He dislike these two people. One was a b@stard and his so-called "rival" who would do anything to get everything from ML. The other was a narcissistic gold digger b!tch who treats him like a spare tyre.

So ML acted like he is a love fool who would do everything for b!tch. And things go the way he expected. The b@stard pursued the b!tch and married her just so he can defeat ML. They all thought that they are playing with the ML when it's the other way around.

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Boring????? Pfft! It's not! It is a perfect example of a slice-of-life genre. It may lack exciting events but anyone can be entertained just by the dynamic of the MCs.

The only downside is that the author likes to insert flashbacks in the narrations, and sometimes it can be confusing. But still, it's a very small problem. Still 5/5. Recommended. <<less
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