diff --git a/wp-content/themes/apus-theme/assets/css/related-posts.css b/wp-content/themes/apus-theme/assets/css/related-posts.css
index 4d1d1dcf..c8004483 100644
--- a/wp-content/themes/apus-theme/assets/css/related-posts.css
+++ b/wp-content/themes/apus-theme/assets/css/related-posts.css
@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     height: 100%;
-    background: #ffffff;
+    background: #f7fafc;
+    border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
+    border-left: 4px solid transparent;
+    border-left-color: transparent;
     border-radius: 12px;
     overflow: hidden;
     box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
@@ -60,9 +63,27 @@
     position: relative;
 }
 
+.related-post-card::before {
+    content: '';
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 0;
+    top: 0;
+    bottom: 0;
+    width: 4px;
+    background: linear-gradient(180deg, #1e3a5f 0%, #1a73e8 100%);
+    opacity: 0;
+    transition: opacity 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
+    z-index: 1;
+}
+
 .related-post-card:hover {
-    transform: translateY(-4px);
-    box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
+    transform: translateY(-8px);
+    box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(26, 115, 232, 0.15);
+    background: #ffffff;
+}
+
+.related-post-card:hover::before {
+    opacity: 1;
 }
 
 .related-post-link {
@@ -444,6 +465,7 @@
 /* Reduce motion for users who prefer it */
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
     .related-post-card,
+    .related-post-card::before,
     .related-post-thumbnail img,
     .related-post-category,
     .related-post-title {