Plot
With her double master's degree in Economics and Psychology, Jiang Jun applies for a job at the investment bank MH. Upon arriving at the company, she discovers that Yuan Shuai, her childhood bully, is now MH's executive director. Yuan Shuai, catching a glimpse of Jiang Jun, goes out of his way to stop her from getting a job at MH. However, with the help of MH executive Lin Taimo, Jiang Jun successfully lands a role at the bank.
Over the course of series, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai grow closer. It is revealed that, unbeknownst to Jiang Jun, Yuan Shuai has been in love with her for ten years. He has always 'bullied' her to try and toughen her up (Jiang Jun suffers from an unfortunate tear allergy). When he confesses, Jiang Jun reciprocates his feelings, and they begin dating. When Lin Taimo is appointed MH's managing director, he sets Yuan Shuai up in a bribery scheme and successfully kicks him out of MH, replacing him with Du Lei, Yuan Shuai's longtime rival. With Linda and Du Lei's help, Yuan Shuai secretly investigates the acquisition of the rice noodle company of Jiang Jun's deceased father and his associated death, whose culprits turn out to be Lin Taimo and Linda. Yuan Shuai's cousin Li Xiaochuan and Jiang Jun's best friend Xu Li also start a relationship after they work together on Li Xiaochuan's start-up.
Two years later, Jiang Jun is promoted to be the vice president of the investment bank department, while Yuan Shuai is the managing director of GE's corresponding department. Du Lei, now MH's investment bank department managing director, confesses his feelings to Jiang Jun, only to face rejection. Jiang Jun investigates Du Lei's corruption act because it causes two of her colleagues to be fired by Du Lei. Yuan Shuai finally successfully proposes after several failed attempts, to which Jiang Jun accepts. Later, it is shown she is pregnant with their first child.
Reception
Audience viewership
As of May 2026, Love is Sweet has over 198,200 ratings on iQIYI, with an average rating of 9.5 out of 10 stars. On Douban, the series has over 140,700 ratings, with an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 stars.
Critical response
Wang Peng from Global Times praised the series, highlighting the engaging, fast-paced plot and the chemistry between leads Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu. They also praised the romance itself, writing that, "unlike the straightforward, sweet romance formula common in previous youth dramas, Love is Sweet presents the love-hate entanglements among urban professionals from a unique 'unrequited love' perspective."
NetEase Entertainment's review praised the actors, stating that, "Luo Yunxi's portrayal of Yuan Shuai is natural and expressive, resonating with the audience and evoking memories of their own unrequited love experiences."
