Let's start with Shu Ran, the MC. He is a transmigrator from modern times, a college student who woke up living in rural China during the '80. I have no knowledge about the conditions of life back then, so we'll just have to regard what the author says as truth. He is a highly educated young man, probably enrolled in a business programme or marketing/design degree, as he is very good at promoting and running businesses. Although not clearly stated how rich, I believe he also comes from a well-off family, since he can afford having such an expensive hobby as calligraphy and doesn't care much for money. He is also true to himself, confident and comfortable with his sexuality. Such a man was suddenly forced to live in poverty, with an uneducated and somewhat ungrateful family, faced with a grim future. Despite this, he is a highly adaptable individual, he never complains and tries to take care of those who are good to him. He learns to farm, wears old clothes and becomes responsible for the well-being of his sisters, while constantly looking for a way to improve their standards of living and escape the countryside. This opportunity is provided by the ML, and he never hesitates to take it. Marrying the ML is his chance to pull himself and his sister from mud and he grabs it, accepting the price he'd have to pay. He is cunning and knows how to talk in order to get the results he wants. As someone commented on the original novel, Shu Ran is very fit to walk the officialdom path. If transmigrated in ancient times, he'd probably become some emperor's prime minister. Regarding his relationship with the ML, he has some misconceptions about him, thinks he's a villain and mostly agrees to the marriage in order to save his sister. He knows he comes with benefits, but he believes his sister deserves better, instead of being sacrificed for money by their family. He has a handful of misunderstandings about the ML, but we can't blame him. After all, the ML is supposedly a very famous figure in history, someone controversial and whose reputation precedes him. I believe is similar to going back in time only to become Henry the 8th's wife. Some considered him a great ruler and he might have been a good husband but heck, no one would be thrilled at the prospect of marrying him :)) So right from the start, the MC accepts the marriage with the mindset of taking on the villain himself, pay him back the money his family took and get along with him for a year. He also finds him good-looking and sexually attractive, so he doesn't think his loss is that big. After all, he's confident in his ability to live well next to another man and help him earn money.

On the other hand, the ML Xu Shen is a man that nobody really understands, someone who lives in the grey area between good and bad. He indeed has a reputation, but it stems from external factors that are not his fault. He is someone abandoned by his family, a child left to live on his own, under the pitying and questioning gaze of simple village people. Someone who had to do anything necessary in order to survive. Living alone in a closed society where family is very important, everyone somehow believes that it's his fault his parents left him behind and that his character must be just as bad as theirs. Apart from his handful of friends he treats as brothers, nobody pays enough attention to try and get to know him. They just run their mouths, letting his reputation spiral out of control. They also don't understands how he earns his money and how can he be so successful. Being jealous and knowing he has no family support, it's easier to just assume he's doing something illegal, than accept he's a good man struggling to earn his money thanks to his own efforts. There is another important aspect to his character, his identity as a man confused by his s*xual orientation, living in a repressive era. As a modern man, the MC is far more open and relaxed, and doesn't think is such a big deal to marry another man, especially someone he finds attractive. The ML on the other hand, never really expects to be able to marry according to his s*xual orientation. He is someone who longs for a family of his own and believes his only attempt at happiness is marrying MC's sister, an educated woman of value who is praised as being capable as a wife. He doesn't expect to find fulfilment next to her, she's just his best bet at escaping a life of loneliness. He is eager to treat both her and her family right, as long as she's willing to come home with him. And here comes the MC, an attractive young man who doesn't shun him and also offer to take his sister's place as his wife. It's no surprise that the ML is smitten from the very beginning, since being with the MC feels "right". It's actually quite cute how he degenerates into an obedient love fool when they're alone.

Something else that I like is how they have great chemistry and intimacy right from the start, and I think this is also thanks to the MC. He never rejects the ML, not even in front of his close friends. He's not really shy, and in fact, reads as having more love experience than the ML, or at least knows more things. There is no questioning of feelings between them, no push and pull, no lack of consent and definitely no annoying white lotus behaviour or "sempai yamete!" situations :)) Their relationship grows naturally, steady and quite fast. I think that some readers might think they are progressing too fast and might be disappointed about the fact that they sleep together before technically falling in love. But I sincerely think that's quite realistic, considering the circumstances and how adult relationships usually work. After all, they are married, living together and sleeping in the same bad. They find each other attractive and want to make the relationship work, even if the MC believes is for a limited amount of time. There is no reason to refuse intimacy and I also believe that is a good way to develop feelings in a marriage of convenience situation.

Although the main characters first get married by coincidence, their feelings develop harmoniously and there are no doubts or deviations. ML is very caring and loving. MC is creative and talented in running business.

It was really touching when it finally was removed and the first thing they thought of doing was simply to walk outside openly holding hands, for the first time after being married for 14 years.

Some people might be put off because they try to hide their relationship (the in-laws are annoying, I don't blame them), and that MC is more conservative than ML, but remember that even till now gay relationships are frowned upon in China. Much less back then. Also, it honestly doesn't matter because it's their relationship and we know how much they love each other.