"The Heavyweight" Yu Gao Yuanfang's Divorce Case: Inferiority Is Not an Excuse — Examining the Standards for Judging Marital Breakdown from the Perspective of Marriage Law

Lead: When inferiority becomes the invisible killer of marriage, how does the law define the breakdown of affection?

热播剧《重器》迎来大结局，剧中余高远与方好好最终走向离婚，两人明明相爱却因各自的自卑心理互相折磨，最终分道扬镳。这一结局让无数观众唏嘘不已，也引发了对婚姻本质的深思。从法律角度看，这起虚构的离婚案件折射出许多现实婚姻中常见的问题：性格因素、心理状态能否成为法院判决离婚的法定理由？婚姻中的”感情破裂”究竟如何认定？离婚冷静期在诉讼离婚中是否适用？带着这些疑问，我们从律师的专业视角，结合《民法典》相关规定，为读者逐一解析。

一、自卑心理能否构成《民法典》第1079条中的”感情破裂”？

Article 1079 of the Civil Code explicitly stipulates the statutory circumstances for divorce by litigation, including bigamy, cohabitation with another person, committing domestic violence, abusing or abandoning family members, having vicious habits such as gambling or drug addiction that remain uncorrected despite repeated admonishment, and separation for two full years due to discord in affections. In the drama, the marriage of Yu Gaoyuan and Fang Haohao did not touch upon any of the aforementioned circumstances; their conflicts stemmed more from deep-seated insecurity and a sense of inferiority.

在司法实践中，法院判决离婚的核心标准是”夫妻感情确已破裂”。自卑心理本身不是法定离婚事由，但如果这种心理状态导致夫妻长期无法正常沟通、互相猜忌、矛盾不断升级，最终使共同生活成为不可能，法院仍可能认定感情确已破裂。值得注意的是，2021年《民法典》实施后，新增了”其他导致夫妻感情破裂的情形”这一兜底条款，为法官审理此类案件提供了更大的自由裁量空间。

作为律师，我们经常遇到当事人询问：”我们之间没有家暴、没有出轨，就是过不下去了，法院会判离吗？”答案是：如果能够提供充分证据证明感情确已破裂，比如长期分居、多次起诉离婚、调解无效等，法院通常会支持离婚诉求。余高远和方好好的婚姻悲剧提醒我们，心理因素虽然无形，却能实实在在摧毁一段婚姻。

2. Divorce Cooling-Off Period: A Remedy to Save Marriage, or a Continuation of Torment?

Article 1077 of the Civil Code provides that the cooling-off period for divorce applies only to divorce by mutual consent, i.e., where both spouses voluntarily agree to divorce and have reached consensus on matters such as child custody and property division. For divorce by litigation, the law does not impose a cooling-off period. In the drama, if Yu Gaoyuan and Fang Haohao choose divorce by mutual consent, they will face a 30-day cooling-off period, during which either party may withdraw the divorce application.

From the perspective of legal practice, the original intention of establishing the divorce cooling-off period was to reduce impulsive divorces, but in reality, it has also brought about some problems. Some clients have reported to us that during the cooling-off period, one party changes their mind, causing the divorce process to be delayed indefinitely and even triggering more intense conflicts. For couples like Yu Gaoyuan and Fang Haohao who divorce due to personality issues rather than principled fault, the cooling-off period may provide both parties with an opportunity to re-examine their marriage, but if the feelings of inferiority are not fundamentally addressed, the cooling-off period may merely prolong the suffering.

We suggest that if both spouses recognize that there are psychological issues in their marriage, they might consider seeking professional help from a marriage and family counselor during the cooling-off period to resolve the problems at their root. If the marriage truly cannot be salvaged, there is no need to remain indecisive after the cooling-off period ends; promptly ending an unhealthy marital relationship through legal channels can be a relief for both parties.

III. Division of Marital Property and Child Custody in Divorce: Practical Issues in a Marriage Marked by Low Self-Esteem

Although the plot of "Heavy Equipment" does not elaborate in detail on the property division and child custody issues between Yu Gaoyuan and Fang Haohao, these are precisely the most complex aspects of real divorce cases. Under Article 1087 of the Civil Code, upon divorce, the joint property of the husband and wife shall be disposed of by mutual agreement; if the agreement fails, the people's court shall render a judgment based on the specific circumstances of the property, in accordance with the principle of protecting the rights and interests of the children, the wife, and the non-breaching party.

In judicial practice, courts consider multiple factors when dividing property, including both parties' contributions to the family and whether one party has engaged in conduct such as concealing or transferring property. For marriages in which one party has long been in a disadvantaged position due to an inferiority complex, lawyers need to pay special attention to whether one party has exploited the other's psychological weakness to sign unequal property agreements.

子女抚养权方面，《民法典》第1084条确立了”最有利于未成年子女”的原则。对于余高远和方好好这样的夫妻，如果一方因自卑心理导致情绪不稳定，可能影响其抚养能力的认定。我们代理的离婚案件中，法院通常会综合考虑父母双方的经济能力、居住环境、教育背景以及子女的意愿等多重因素。自卑心理虽然不直接决定抚养权归属，但如果一方因此表现出明显的心理问题，可能被认定为不适合直接抚养子女。

IV. Psychological Issues in Marriage and Legal Remedies: Examining the Predicaments of Modern Marriage through "Heavy Vessels"

In "Great Vessels," the marital difficulties of Yu Gaoyuan and Fang Haohao actually reflect a common problem faced by many couples in modern society. Feelings of inferiority caused by work pressure, life anxiety, and the influence of their families of origin often become invisible killers in marital relationships. From a legal perspective, marriage is not only an emotional union but also a legal relationship that requires both parties to maintain jointly.

What legal remedies can parties seek for psychological issues in marriage? First, if one party's feelings of inferiority lead to behaviors such as suspicion or control, this may constitute psychological violence, and the victim may apply for a personal safety protection order under the Anti-Domestic Violence Law. Second, if the marriage truly cannot be sustained, the parties should seek divorce through litigation or agreement in a timely manner to avoid prolonged mental exhaustion. Finally, after divorce, if one party is unable to live normally due to psychological issues, they may request appropriate economic assistance from the other party, in accordance with Article 1090 of the Civil Code.

As professional lawyers in the field of marriage and family law, we advise couples not to avoid psychological factors when marital problems arise, but instead to actively seek the dual assistance of psychological counseling and legal consultation. Psychological issues can be repaired, and marital relationships can also be saved; however, if reconciliation is truly impossible, the law provides clear remedies.

Five. Lawyer's Advice: Preventing Marriage Legal Risks from the Finale of *Weighty Vessel*

The ending of "The Pillar" leaves audiences with profound reflections: How can one guard against feelings of inferiority in marriage? If a marriage reaches its end, how can one protect their legal rights and interests? As marriage and family attorneys at Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm, we offer the following advice:

First, emphasize premarital psychological assessment and communication within marriage. Understand both parties' psychological states and personality traits before marriage, maintain effective communication after marriage, seek help from professional psychological counselors when necessary, and avoid the accumulation of negative emotions such as inferiority.

Second, learn about marriage law and plan your finances well. Regardless of your marital status, you should understand basic legal concepts such as the scope of marital property and the protection of premarital property, and sign a prenuptial property agreement or a marital property agreement when necessary.

Third, if the marriage truly cannot be sustained, promptly consult a professional lawyer to understand the legal procedures for divorce, the standards for property division, and the adjudication criteria for child custody, and make thorough preparations.

Fourth, when encountering psychological violence or mental oppression, do not endure it silently. Preserve evidence promptly and seek legal protection, including applying for a personal safety protection order, among other measures.

In "The Heavy Weapon," Yu Gaoyuan and Fang Haohao ultimately ended their mutual torment with divorce. Although this was a plot arrangement, it also reminds us that marriage is not only a legal relationship but also a psychological contract. When the psychological contract can no longer be maintained, the law provides the ultimate remedy. If you are currently experiencing a similar marital predicament, you are welcome to contact Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm. We will provide you with professional legal support and psychological counseling advice to help you resolve the legal issues in your marriage rationally and peacefully.