It was love at first sight for marketing executive Lu Yun when he was introduced to his girlfriend two years ago.

But the 28-year-old man from Shanghai has found that when it comes to the four-letter word, it is money that talks.

In fact, it was the subject of the couple's frequent fights - before they decided to "take a break" from the relationship early this year, he said.

"She made it very clear: An apartment works. No apartment, no-go," Lu said.

A recent snap poll conducted online by the China Youth Daily and qq.com showed a growing number of the country's young adults shared the view of Lu's girlfriend.

Nearly half the 8,932 respondents said that money and other financial packages are the most important preconditions for love.

Many young singles are also checking out the financial status of their potential partners before getting married.

Of those surveyed, 85.5 percent said the younger generation paid more attention to financial status when considering potential life partners than previous generations.

Lu, for example, said he cannot afford to buy an apartment.

"The mortgage is about 7,000 yuan ($950) a month," said the man, whose monthly salary is about 8,000 yuan.

"Housing prices are so high and everything is expensive in the city. Marrying a rich man equals a good marriage," he said.

But all is not lost for love.

The survey also found 40 percent of those polled considered true love paramount in a relationship, while 40 percent still believed in love at first sight.