In China, a new trend is rising where women pay for romantic role-playing games. In these games, a female player acts out a love story with a male host, who plays her lover. The games last about 10 hours and include acting, cocktail-making, and private interactions called the “small black room.” Some hosts even hold hands or give a peck on the cheek, making the experience feel real. Joyce from Shenzhen played a female assassin in one such game and was moved to tears by the story’s emotional ending. Most players are women seeking a safe escape from stressful lives. They enjoy experiencing love stories where they are always the center. Joyce said, “So many things in real life are disappointing... but in the game, you can experience the entire arc of a romantic relationship.” Sociologists say these games let women “rehearse romance” without real risk. Paul Wong, a clinical psychology professor in Hong Kong, explained that young people want quick emotional satisfaction similar to online shopping, so they use these games for instant love feelings. The game prices range from 300 to 1,000 yuan ($45 to $140), with higher prices offering costumes and meals. Some players spend big on their favorite hosts. One woman spent over 150,000 yuan ($22,000) on gifts and repeated playtime with a host. This paid companionship is growing amid tough job markets and high stress. Wong warned, “Love should be a natural thing,” but cautioned that commercialising love may make relationships shallow and short-lived. There are also risks. Some players have fallen in love with hosts and faced betrayal or scams. Official data shows nearly 20% of China's population live alone, with marriage and birth rates falling. Wong explained that traditional bonds are replaced by AI chatbots and pets, while negative stories on marriage make lifelong unions rare. He urges society to offer better examples of love and marriage to help young people understand commitment and resolve conflicts in healthy ways.