With the transformation of China since early 20th century

traditional vernacular happiness changed a lot from life concept to reality. In traditional China

the idea of happiness hinged primarily on siring male heirs (fu) and secondarily on prosperity (lu) and good health (shou). Therefore

happiness is about human life. Happiness is devout pray rather than pursuit aim. The elite sniff at plebeian happiness pursuit. They prefer to pursuit for morality and more elegant pleasures of life.

In the eyes of youngers in the May 4th Movement

traditional social order was based on oppression

and its pursuit to happiness taking the price of the sacrifice and suffering of women

youngers and plebeian. Enlightenment means that every one has the right to pursue happiness which liberates people from feudal ethical code to master his own life and have love and marriage freedom. However

sovereignty challenge in the early foundation of this country made individual happiness pursuit suspicious and unavailing. Socialist country established by the Communist Party of China requires individual interests subordinating to national interests. Since reform and open

with the global expand of American dream and capitalism

vernacular happiness with May 4th Movement rises again. The government also raises up Chinese Dream to dominate ideology.

In order to introduce the history of vernacular happiness

this paper analyzes series of literate contexts such as Shen Fu's Six Records of a Floating Life (1809)

Lu Xun's Diary of a Madman (1918)

The New Year's Sacrifice (1924) and In the Wineshop (1924)

Rou Shi's A Slave Mother (1930)

Ding Ling's Shanghai

Spring 1930 (1930)

Su Qing's Ten Years of Marriage (1943)

Zhang Ailing's Love in a Fallen City (1944)

Chen Guanzhong's Sheng Shi (2011). Expect summary of history of literature and intellectual history

this paper also discusses on individual rise and positive appreciation to everyday life during European Enlightenment period from theoretical perspective and the central position of emotion in democratic society advertised liberalism.