High Intelligence, Cunning Plans, Masterful Schemes, Treating the World Like a Chessboard 高智商，有谋略，算计足，以天下为棋

1. 601 我 I Have a Joker Card 我有一张小丑牌 Azure Company蔚蓝公司Urban2.2M WordsCompleted They say that on the day some people turn eighteen, the gods grant them a playing card with a supernatural ability. There are 52 playing cards and 52 different abilities. Those who receive a supernatural playing card are allowed to attend the best ability-user school. The campus belle: “I have the Queen of Spades. I can conjure all kinds of weapons!” The rich kid: “My dad has the Jack of Diamonds. He can get unlimited money!” Meanwhile, somewhere, a boy took his own playing card and used all 52 157.1kReads8.9Score24.4kShelves
2. 602 年 Only Eight Years Old, He Is Rushed Into Taking the Throne! 年方八岁，被仓促拉出登基称帝！ At Ease at the Edge of the World天涯逍遥Historical2.9M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the imperial family of the Yu Dynasty, Chu Ling found himself a son born to a concubine, without power or influence, and with a weak maternal clan. It seemed his best option was to become an idle prince, surrounded by beautiful women, frequenting pleasure quarters and indulging in wine and song. But the new emperor died suddenly less than a year after ascending the throne, and fate played a cruel joke on Chu Ling, forcing him down an entirely new path! 12.9kReads8.6Score973Shelves
3. 603 我 I Debate the Classics with Great Scholars in the Embroidered Uniform Guard 我在锦衣卫跟大儒辩经 A Grain of Rice in the Vast Blue Sea沧海茫茫粒米身Historical1.2M WordsOngoing Yang Zhi, a top salesman and philosophy graduate student in his previous life, transmigrates to the end of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. Through a twist of fate, he joins the Embroidered Uniform Guard, passes the imperial examination, enters the Hanlin Academy, and debates the classics with the great scholars at court! 5kReads8.8Score355Shelves

   Reader note

   Not mindless, but full of intrigue! The grandest and most profound realistic time-travel novel, depicting the history of the Han people's downfall! My novel features vivid character descriptions, a dramatic plot, and a story background that perfectly matches history, unfolding like a stream flowing into the sea.

4. 604 人 Rising Through the Ranks of Officialdom! 人在官场：步步攀升！ Brothers of the Heavenly Emperor天帝兄弟Urban1.4M WordsCompleted Lin Feng was too honest, so his career never advanced. His wife, Zhang Meina, left him for money. Faced with a woman's betrayal and the indifference of friends and family, Lin Feng finally saw the harsh realities of society for what they were. Then, unexpectedly, a major opportunity came his way: Secretary Huang transferred him to Xincheng County to serve as the county Party committee secretary. 625Reads8.8Score181Shelves

   Reader note

   That's fantastic, it's really beautiful.

5. 605 玄 Xuanhuan: Invincible Summoning Starts with a Dynasty 玄幻：无敌召唤从王朝开始 River Angler钓江人Eastern Fantasy456k WordsOngoing After an accident, Chen Che transmigrated and became a foolish prince. He lay low for ten years from the start, then staged a coup in a single day. Bound to the Eternal Sign-in System, he brought forth Sages, Divine Generals, and more to wage war against heaven and earth, expanding the dynasty's borders. Yet in this great age, the myriad races and their dynasties competed for supremacy, while Daoist palaces and immortal sects instructed the people. Ancient clans, millennia-old aristocratic ho —Reads—Score—Shelves
6. 606 灾 Calamity: Hey, Buddy, You Can't Mess Around with This 灾变：宝友，这可不兴盘 Jiji Potato吉吉土豆Urban1.3M WordsCompleted With spiritual qi revival and mutations sweeping the globe, everyone else was busy venturing into strange realms, seizing opportunities, and fighting over rare treasures. Zhang Xibao stayed behind and started a treasure appraisal livestream. Good heavens, buddy, you really shouldn't fiddle with that treasure of yours. Touch it too much and you'll drain your yang energy, and you won't grow any taller! Now that's a crime! This buddy's treasure is fine to fiddle with, but do it too much and the Bla 10kReads9.1Score681Shelves
7. 607 别 Don’t Lie to Me 别对我，说谎 Zhao Shuxia赵树下Urban1.2M WordsCompleted The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The seasons turn, and plants wither and flourish... These eternal, unchanging laws are like countless building blocks, together forming the world we know. But one day, someone quietly reached out and pulled out one of those blocks, stealing one of the world's laws. From that moment on, everything began to change. As more and more blocks are pulled out and more people steal the world's laws, when will the world suddenly collapse? “My name is 80.8kReads8.3Score10.9kShelves
8. 608 官 The Road to Power: The Pinnacle of Officialdom 官道：权力巅峰 The God of Heaven Fell in Love with You天神爱上你Urban219k WordsCompleted Peng Zijuan’s Notes on Climbing the Career Ladder Peng Zijuan was an ordinary female official who had hoped to lead a quiet life. But her husband, Wu Dashan, chose a rich woman over her and divorced her. Wu Dashan said, “You’re a woman. Why are you always thinking about becoming an official?” Peng Zijuan replied, “That’s right. I want to become an official!” Wu Dashan said, “You’re a woman. You should stay home and take care of the kids. Stop thinking about becoming an official all the time!” Pe 1.4kReads6.7Score102Shelves
9. 609 长 Eternal Immortality: A Jailor Hiding Out in the Heavenly Prison 长生万古：苟在天牢做狱卒 Qingfeng Riverside青峰浦上Eastern Fantasy1.1M WordsCompleted [Smart characters, no brainless plotlines]+ [No System]+ [Cautious survival]+ [Immortality]+ [No heroine]+ [A sly schemer]+ [Political intrigue]+ [Prudent and cautious] Zhang Wu transmigrates to a cultivation world and becomes a jailer in the Imperial Prison from the start. For officials, the end of the road is the Imperial Prison. For soldiers, it is dying on the battlefield. For those in the martial world, it is getting killed in a vendetta. None of them meet a good end. If he wants to survive 37.4kReads9.1Score3.1kShelves

   Reader note

   Lazy and talentless, leaving only an eight-character evaluation: imagination, intelligence, plot, writing style

10. 610 系 The System Exploded, and I Became the System 系统炸了，我成了系统 Little Monster小小怪Urban4.9M WordsOngoing What's it like to be a System? After Ye Tian angered the System that coveted him, he became a System himself. He travels through the Myriad Worlds, stealing the essence of each world. He transforms into the “Great Villain System,” helping villains beat the living daylights out of protagonists. In a world where men are inferior to women, I become the “Great Man System,” giving my Host a little extra charm every day and attracting the empress's attention. He evolves into a Creator System, and the 14.3kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves
11. 611 第 The First Traveler 第一寰客 Qian Xiao千笑Urban1.4M WordsOngoing [Chinese-Style Supernatural Powers] [Abstract Instances] [Puzzle-Solving Challenges] [Team-Based Adventures] Delusion is the reflection of reality; madness is the ultimate clarity! After an exam, Fang Lai is chosen to become a Traveler and take part in a game organized by the Heavenly Dao called the “Delusion Realm.” He discovers a place filled with strange and wonderful things, a world of bizarre sights. Follow logic and you're a weakling; ignore logic and you're dead. He also discovers that ev 54.2kReads9.2Score5kShelves
12. 612 候 Hou Weidong's Notes on Being an Official 候卫东做官笔记 The God of Heaven Fell in Love with You天神爱上你Urban790k WordsCompleted As a graduate of a prestigious university, Hou Weidong encounters one thorny problem after another upon entering government service, yet manages to turn danger into safety every time. Taking different approaches: that is Hou Weidong’s political philosophy. That is how Hou Weidong conducts himself. That is Hou Weidong’s great wisdom. 3.4kReads6.7Score482Shelves
13. 613 怎 How Could You Mistake Me for the Villain? Then I’ll Truly Take on the Role 怎么误会我是反派？那我真上岗了 Yuan Li原李Mystery1.3M WordsOngoing [Coming-of-age] [Warning: triple-identity spy ⚠️] [The three identities come after four instances] [Lone Wolf, no male-gaze content] [The protagonist is pursued early on, extreme protagonist stans, back off!] [Fictional setting with a realistic feel] The “Carnival Paradise” arrives and gradually devours the real world in the form of a game. Zhu Yan unexpectedly awakens the talent “Impersonation” and becomes one of the first closed-beta players. He thought he could safely build up his strength, 100kReads9.4Score13.2kShelves
14. 614 女 A Woman in a Man's Body: The Concubine-Born Heir's Rise to Power 女穿男，庶房嫡子的逆袭 Liu Jilian刘忌廉Ancient Romance1.3M WordsOngoing Now available as an audiobook with a full cast. [Alternate history] + [Woman transmigrates as a man] + [Born into this world] + [Imperial exams and business in the early story] + [Court politics later on] + [One female lead, with a relatively small role] + [A touch of ensemble cast] + [No golden finger] Xie Chengxi was born into another world as the sixth son of the Xie family, a minor family in Bianjing's Grain Transport Guild. His father was the clan's rejected son, kept under pressure for yea 34.6kReads8.3Score3.9kShelves

    Reader note

    This one is also good.

15. 615 穿 Transmigrating into a Spy War: My Codename Is God of Wealth 穿越谍战，我的代号是财神 A Thousand Stars Like Fire千星如火Urban2.1M WordsCompleted [Espionage + Political Intrigue + Undercover Agent + Supply Trading + The Ultimate Power Fantasy = A Must-Read] Chen Yang, a disposable agent from the Fuxing Society's military training brigade, is ordered to infiltrate Shanghai and gather intelligence. By chance, he gets into a collaborationist Japanese agency and is put in charge of transportation. To better conceal his identity, Chen Yang puts the art of trading money and sex, perfected in a later era, to good use. He conspires with logist 2.3kReads9.3Score281Shelves

    Reader note

    This is something you only realize after reading eight books, I personally think it's alright.

16. 616 谍 Espionage: I Can Earn Rewards by Playing the Villain! 谍战：我当恶霸能爆奖励！ Loves Honey Longjing Tea爱喝蜂蜜龙井茶Urban2.7M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into a minor secret agent at Beiping Station, he unexpectedly awakened the Tyrant System!! As long as the System judges something to be bad behavior, he gets a reward! Kidnap a dog traitor and torture him for information. Ding! For using serious violence against another person, reward: the Japanese devils’ top-secret military intelligence! Lin Ze: ??? Beating up traitors counts too? “Mrs. Miyamoto, I have a new assignment for you!” Ding! For coercing an innocent young woman, 170.4kReads9.4Score15.4kShelves
17. 617 零 Zero-Degree Showdown: Operation Blue Arrow 零度交锋：蓝捷行动 Windless Rainy Night雨夜无风Mystery2.3M WordsOngoing [Mystery and Suspense] [Espionage] [Crime Investigation] [Modern Urban] [Genius] [Strong Female Lead] [National Security] Twenty-three years ago, a separation tore the lives of twin sisters apart. The younger sister was trained by an overseas spy organization to become an elite agent. Sent back to China, she is ordered to assassinate her own sister, take her place, infiltrate Lanjie Communications, and steal the core secret, “Lanjie 9.” Caught between her mission and her organization's orders on 11kReads9.1Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    The best spy thriller of the year! The plot is tight and exciting, with intense multi-national maneuvering and intrigue. The battle between stealing and protecting secrets is thrilling, and the twists and turns constantly subvert expectations, making it an extremely stress-relieving and addictive read.

18. 618 欺 Deception Game: I Can See Affection Levels 欺诈游戏：我能看见好感度 Your Bro Piao你飘哥呀Mystery854k WordsOngoing [Real mind games, average rating 9.3, plot-driven, no mindless power fantasy, no heroine, seeking the optimal solution under fixed rules] Seven people awaken in a sealed room and are forced to take part in a question-and-answer game with their lives as the stakes. If their answers conflict, the minority is deemed the traitor and wins decades of life as a reward. Suspicion, murder, and betrayal are everywhere. Lin Le is dragged into the gamble and, from the start, is judged to have killed someone 26.2kReads7.8Score4.8kShelves
19. 619 你 Listen, Let Me Explain! I'm Really Not a Fetishist! 你们听我解释，我真不是恋物癖！ Sleep Until I'm Well Rested睡个饱觉觉Urban1.1M WordsOngoing [Lovecraftian Supernatural] [Not Mindless] [No Repetitive Plot Loops] [No Formulaic Writing] One day, Li Yi opened a door and stepped into a strange world. The good news: supernatural beings exist here! The bad news: the supernatural is seriously messed up! What do you mean, you were stumped, so you opened your skull and reached inside to feel around? What do you mean, studying was too hard, so you tore pages out of a book and ate them? Oh... you're digesting knowledge. Friend, you just farted o 65.5kReads8.6Score10.2kShelves
20. 620 赦 Night's Pardoner 赦夜人 Li Ma李马Urban780k WordsOngoing [The author has a completed title on the Top Peak list, “The Usurper (Below the Upper City).” Read with confidence!] [Ensemble Cast] [No System] [Not Invincible] [Plot-Focused] [Dark Tone] [Not Mindless] [Character Growth] Every shift from day to night is a silent contest of survival. After nightfall, the world becomes a playground for the Blighted. A special light source can offer humanity brief protection. Some live high above, beneath the lights. Others cling to life in the mud. No matter how 264.6kReads9.0Score28.1kShelves
21. 621 反 Villain: The Forbidden Female Emperor Is My Master, and I'm Invincible! 反派：禁忌女帝师尊，我无敌了！ Old Minister老臣子Eastern Fantasy1.4M WordsCompleted [The Year's Ultimate Wish-Fulfillment Novel + Cunning + Invincible + Teasing His Master] Su Changqing is reborn and transmigrates into a fantasy world. The moment he opens his eyes, his master has failed to break through to the Saint Realm. She has lost all her cultivation and is gravely injured. [Beep! Detected: Host has shown disrespect to his master. Activating the Great Villain System.] [Option One: Accidentally offend your master, immediately kneel and apologize, and beg her forgiveness. Ma 35.4kReads9.1Score3.7kShelves
22. 622 此 This Road Leads Straight to the Azure Clouds 此去直上青云路 Qing Suisui卿岁岁Historical603k WordsCompleted Li Yu, courtesy name Zixuan, originally named Shen Dakui, was from Shunqing Prefecture, Sichuan, and his ancestral home was Huangzhou Prefecture, Huguang. He ranked twenty-sixth in the second-tier examination in the second year of Xing'an. A politician, financier, firearms expert, hydraulic engineer, military strategist, educator, and more in the early years of the Dayong dynasty... Li Yu lost his father at an early age and followed his mother when she remarried Li Gang, the patrol inspector of 24.8kReads8.6Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! A brand new, incredibly captivating historical fantasy novel: ① In the second year of the Xing'an era of the Da Yong dynasty, Li Yu, courtesy name Zixuan, originally named Shen Da Kui, was from Shunqing Prefecture, Sichuan, with ancestral roots in Huangzhou Prefecture, Huguang. He ranked 49th in the second class of the imperial examinations. The protagonist, Li Yu, lost his father at a young age and moved with his mother to remarry Li Gang, the patrol inspector of Yingshan County. Diligent and studious, he passed the county-level examination in the 24th year of the Qian'an era, but failed the metropolitan examination on his first attempt. He married a woman surnamed Ning. After passing the imperial examinations again in the second year of the Xing'an era, he became the magistrate of Zhangqiu County, where his service earned him the praise of the Prince of Lu. This was only the beginning of his life as a renowned official in his thirties; the latter half of his life began to write the most glorious chapter in the history of the Da Yong dynasty.

23. 623 第 The Number One Son-in-Law: I Really Don't Want to Rebel! 第一赘婿，我真不想造反啊！ Tangyuan2023丸子2023Historical4.5M WordsCompleted Historical fiction, a touch of ensemble cast, not mindless wish fulfillment, everyday interactions with the heroines, and family life. Also known as: My Wife Is a Grandmaster. Who Wouldn't Lie Flat? No one helps me reach for the clouds, so I tread through snow to the mountaintop alone. If fortune was never meant for me, I'll climb Kunlun by myself! The strategist risks everything by entering the game, all to bring Dongling back into the light! One vow: “I hunger to feast on the flesh of the nort 19.1kReads7.8Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    High-IQ court intrigue, 🌈I used to read other books that were addictive at the beginning but got worse as I read on, 🍓but these two books by author @2023 have a surprisingly delightful "getting better with each reading" experience! 🍀①At the beginning, the protagonist is weak and can be bullied, but as he grows stronger, 🧸the writing becomes increasingly profound, 🦄the harem isn't just about pretty faces; there are scholars, warriors, and strategists. 👍

24. 624 灾 Calamity Descends: I’m the Only Player in the World 灾厄降临：我是全球唯一玩家 Wool Socks毛袜Urban733k WordsOngoing [Peerless Schemer + Sequences + Gamer + Hilarious] Li Fan transmigrates, and a line of blood-red text appears in the sky: [Blue Star Online: Sequence DLC loading...] The System identifies him as [Sequence 000: Player] Before he can even celebrate, a calamity with a mouth stretched all the way to its ears bites his head off. Twice. The good news: He can reload after dying. The bad news: Once he runs out of reloads, his account is permanently deleted. Even worse, the calamities in this world ar 66.8kReads7.7Score11.2kShelves
25. 625 无 Infinite Apocalypse: A Super Cheat Every Time I Sign In! 无限末世：每次签到超级外挂！ Riding the Wind and Clouds挽风云Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.3M WordsCompleted A certain island nation dumps nuclear wastewater into the sea, mutating marine life and bringing on the apocalypse! Before civilization falls, everyone gains the ability to transmigrate through an infinite number of worlds to survive. Anyone who returns alive from a parallel apocalyptic world receives generous rewards and can grow stronger fast! Shen Yun binds to a System, and gets a super golden finger sign-in reward as soon as he enters another world. Island survival: Sign in from the start to 36.5kReads8.9Score2.5kShelves
26. 626 虎 The Tiger Wife 虎妻 Lotus Flower藕花Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted The Great Qi Dynasty’s foremost God of War, the ruthless, hideous common-born general Yuchi Gui, was granted a marriage by the emperor to the capital’s greatest beauty, Princess Xu Xiyan. Then his high-born fiancée looked down on him, and the wedding was called off. Three years later, after suppressing a rebellion, the handsome and dashing general returned to the capital, becoming the hero every noblewoman in Great Qi wanted to marry. Then his former fiancée clung to him and forced him into marr 8.4kReads9.3Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    Without time travel or superpowers, the woman uses her extraordinary talent to achieve a miraculous rebirth.

27. 627 惊 Thriller: I Became Excessively Twisted for Fear of Looking Ungraceful 惊悚：因为担心不优雅而过度变态 The Sound of Wind and Rain at Night,夜来风雨声丶Mystery2.0M WordsCompleted [Horror + No Female Lead] A bizarre game descended, pulling all of humanity into a strange world to complete terrifying missions. Fail, and you lose life points. When your points hit zero, you die! Zhao Yi, a renowned psychiatrist, was dragged into the game too, but some unknown glitch appeared in his data source code. And so, an abnormal human emerged, one who made every ghost and monster tremble in fear! The Crybaby Ghost: I just wanted to give him a side quest, but he chopped off my head! The 74.4kReads9.5Score8.4kShelves
28. 628 一 I Woke Up to Find Myself a Son-in-Law 一觉醒来变赘婿 Tangyuan2023丸子2023Historical2.1M WordsCompleted Lan Yuheng dies suddenly from overwork at school and is ultimately dragged back to the underworld by Ox-Head and Horse-Face. The Judge discovers that he's a virgin for the ninth lifetime and takes pity on him, sending him to an ancient parallel world. Here, those so-called poets don't exist, and the Tang dynasty is not the prosperous era it once was. In the end, his fate is changed, granting him endless romantic encounters. But because something goes wrong with Granny Meng's soup, his soul trans 8.3kReads8.2Score711Shelves
29. 629 我 I Founded the Night Watch, Protecting the Nation from the Supernatural, and Now I'm Exposed! 我创建守夜人，为国镇诡被曝光！ Hates Drinking Hot Water反感喝热水Mystery373k WordsCompleted [Supernatural resurgence + no romance + subverting expectations] Lin Wuyang transmigrated to a parallel world and discovered that supernatural entities were gradually returning. So he planned ahead, founded the Night Watch organization, and secretly spent ten years suppressing the supernatural for Daxia! Ten years later, he gathered a hundred ghosts and used his own flesh and blood to build a Great Wall protecting the nation, holding back the supernatural tide! The sudden appearance of the red G 4.1kReads9.2Score295Shelves

    Reader note

    Though short, it's meticulously planned, a grand scheme for the world. A Great Wall of flesh and blood is built to suppress evil and protect the nation; one man reigns supreme. The protagonist is elegant, possesses unparalleled high intelligence!

30. 630 快 Quick Transmigration: I'm Really a Good Man 快穿之我真是好男人 Only Eats Three Bowls只吃三碗Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted As a veteran employee of the quick transmigration world, An Jingzhi's job is to change the lives of people whose lives were ruined by scumbags. Note: This is not about saving scumbags! [Some worlds have romance] 1. A scumbag who abandons his parents during the famine and bleeds his whole family dry Becomes a founding hero in a famine world. 2. A kept man who emotionally abuses a famous idol over the long term The manipulative 27.6kReads9.1Score2.1kShelves
31. 631 携 Rising to Power with the Emperor’s Sister-in-Law, I’m Invincible Under Heaven 携皇嫂逆袭，我无敌于天下 Knowing How It Is知其然Historical1.8M WordsCompleted Li Chen transmigrates and immediately falls into a shocking conspiracy. His three elder brothers died fighting for their country. A powerful court official falsified the battle reports, pinning all the blame for the defeat on me and planning to take my head to stabilize the court. Just as I'm about to be sentenced to death, three secret letters from my brothers arrive in the hands of my three sisters-in-law, the emperor's widows. A woman general from a family of military commanders who once foug 2.1kReads8.6Score262Shelves

    Reader note

    If you're going to get involved yourself, you have to read this! The strategies are absolutely brilliant!

32. 632 无EN Infinite Rewinds: Everyone Thinks I'm a Big Shot 无限回档：所有人都以为我是大佬 What's Wrong with Money?钱有什么不好Mystery414k WordsCompleted [Adapted into a comic drama] [Audiobook narrated by a real person available] [Infinite Flow + Livestream Survival + Death Rewind + Half-Dihua] [No CP] [The story contains a lot of on-screen comment barrages] After Xu Xi died from overwork, he transmigrated to another world invaded by a survival game. He even discovered that he could rewind time after dying. By using this ability to escape danger time and again and successfully clear each instance, he unexpectedly became a top expert in the eyes 190.6kReads9.4Score20.8kShelves
33. 633 大 The Eldest Miss’s Exclusive Troublemaking Lackey 大小姐的专属惹事跟班 Minotaur Warrior牛头人战士Urban1.6M WordsCompleted My name is Qin Luo, and I found myself inside an urban novel that combined every kind of Dragon King storyline. From the start, I got the “Strongest Lackey System.” The more lackey-like things I did, the stronger I became. What else could I do? I chose to become Su Muwan's personal lackey. She would eventually become the final great villain. I provoked all sorts of chosen ones, seized their opportunities, and did every kind of evil. You ask who is pulling my strings? Hmph! You're not worthy of k 53.8kReads9.2Score5.3kShelves
34. 634 弃 The Abandoned Child 弃儿 Jing Ran Antang婧冉安棠Modern Romance491k WordsCompleted She was destined to be a mistake from the moment she was born. Being born the wrong sex brought her a life of misfortune. Hu Sanmei was the most pitiful woman I had ever met. Raised under the oppression of feudal thinking, she struggled against her fate, yet Heaven never once looked kindly upon her, abandoned by her parents at birth. Her mother's experiences and her older sisters' advice made her believe that getting married and having a son would bring her a happy life. But one failed marriage 8.7kReads9.2Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    The following are books I've finished reading. There's also "The Murder Scene: The Female Detective's Strange Tales"—all of them are good, but this one and "Deeply in Love Murder" below are the ones that made me cry the most. Highly recommended.

35. 635 无 Infinite: People Can Die, but You Must Never Lose the Game 无限：人可以死游戏绝不能输 Ran Tu染途Mystery1.4M WordsCompleted (Completed) [Infinite Flow + Logical Deduction + Death Games + Brain-Burning + Slightly Unhinged Female Lead + Strong Leads] (Content warnings at the end of Chapter 1) After her parents died, Xin Zhixia witnessed the ugly faces of her relatives during a dispute over the inheritance and grew disgusted with the world. She devoted herself to the games she loved and drifted through life in a daze. Finding life pointless, she decided to jump off a building and kill herself. A man appeared beside her. 12.7kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves
36. 636 江 The First Book by Jianghu Laoliu 江湖老六的第1本书 Old Jianghu Number Six江湖老六Urban3.2M WordsCompleted Stay away from gambling, or you’ll ruin your family. This book exposes all kinds of cheating tricks at the gambling table and reveals one rigged scam after another. Nine out of ten gamblers lose. The underworld isn’t just about fighting and killing; it’s about human relationships and social savvy! 2.7kReads9.1Score268Shelves

    Reader note

    💥Recommendation ① Using the world as a chessboard, and the common people as chess pieces…✨The Empress of Western Qin has disappeared! On the same day, in Qingfeng Gorge of the Canglan River, a small boat carries a young fisherman. Because of a sudden thunderbolt, he failed to catch any fish and, cursing, picked up a few dead fish 🐟 on the shore to go home. At the same time, he found a woman among the pebbles on the riverbank…✨ 🌴Later, the Empress demanded that Jiang Fan share the world with her, but Jiang Fan refused…✨There isn't only one way, or…the path isn't just in otherworldly lands…it might also be in the mortal world…

37. 637 废 Useless Prince? I Use a Disguise to Overturn the Holy Court's Rule 废物皇子？我靠伪装掀翻圣庭皇权 Fish Sees the Cool Breeze鱼见风凉Eastern Fantasy123k WordsOngoing [Western Fantasy Court Intrigue] [Play the pig to eat the tiger] [Cunning schemes and strategic battles] [Multiple female leads] [No NTR] [Golden finger] [Slow burn] [No characters acting stupid] The entire imperial capital laughs at Seventh Prince Sain, calling him a cowardly, lovesick fool who can be pushed around by anyone. But no one knows that all his tenderness and compassion are nothing more than a carefully crafted mask. After he transmigrates into a book, he learns that in four years, t 20Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Novels focusing on political intrigue are very good.

38. 638 通 The Maid Who Spells Ruin 通房祸水 Salt Pork盐巴猪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance + Two Strong Leads + Feel-Good Story + Farming] His perspective: Everyone says the Young Lord Jun’s maid is deeply devoted to him and never leaves his side, even following him into exile. Only Jun Cheng knows that in public, she’s always fussing over him, calling him “Young Master” and acting sweet and caring. In private, she steals his food, pinches him, and hits him, while he has to swallow his anger and play along. That’s because he’s been reborn, and he’s genuinely curious abo 5.5kReads9.2Score593Shelves

    Reader note

    A seasoned bookworm's honest recommendation, definitely worth a second reading. Truly a high-IQ palace intrigue and officialdom novel. The first book has a light and humorous style, very enjoyable. However, the female lead's insistence on keeping her concubine persona is hilarious, with a plot full of twists and turns, encompassing both the petty jealousies and power struggles within the palace and the political arena. The main characters are well-developed, each with their own hidden agendas, haha. The second book has a wildly imaginative plot with multiple twists; those with low IQs shouldn't read it, as it will be quite challenging [awkward laugh].

39. 639 官 Officialdom: The Abyss of Power 官场：权利深渊 I Love Peanuts我爱吃花生Urban3.5M WordsOngoing Xiao Zhengyang had a brilliant future ahead of him, but a conspiracy cost him his life at the office. His girlfriend left him, and petty people pushed him around. Unwilling to let others control his fate, he sank into despair. In the end, he made that phone call, and from then on, stepped into the abyss. This is a gripping workplace drama. One careless step, and there's no coming back. 41kReads9.1Score2.2kShelves

    Reader note

    A successful career turnaround

40. 640 月 Half a Month 月半 Xi Wen熙雯Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (Also known as The Waxing and Waning) Life offers no lucky breaks, and it is never gentle with anyone. Only when we learn to see our flaws can we hold on to wholeness. May we all stand in the sunlight and live surrounded by warmth. This is a slow-paced story grounded in reality. Bring your heart along, and let’s sit down and talk at our own pace. 5.1kReads9.2Score690Shelves
41. 641 肇 The Founding of Huaxia 肇造华夏 Flowers Bloom Late著花迟Historical9.4M WordsOngoing “Your Highness, please calm down. I only think of her as a younger sister. Don't get the wrong idea.” “How many younger sisters like that do you have?” “Your Highness, you know me. I come from a respectable family!” “Oh? Respectable enough to gather phoenixes and summon luan birds?” “Your Highness, I offer my greetings!” “You heartless man! Why weren't you so courteous when you were pursuing me?” “Your Highness, please mind your image!” “Would you like to be regent?” I'm doomed. I'm surrounded b 27kReads8.5Score2.6kShelves

    Reader note

    [Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn][Eating popcorn] Don't be fooled by the book's title!! While it features multiple female protagonists, its strength lies in its intricate political intrigue. This book uses a fictional historical setting to explore political maneuvering, but it doesn't confine itself to that. The protagonist is unique, gentle and kind, not ruthless, and not solely driven by ambition for high positions, but simply seeking a place in the world. The highlight is the vivid portrayal of the female protagonists and princes, their frequent interactions and interactions making them feel real and relatable, quite different from traditional harem novels. [Please follow][Please follow][Please follow]

42. 642 官 Rising Through the Official Ranks, Starting as a Secretary 官场从秘书开始 Old Ice Pop老冰棍Urban6.4M WordsOngoing When hardship reaches its limit, good fortune follows. With a pure and earnest heart, Zhang Jun gets his lucky break and begins his career on the bench at an institute of traditional Chinese medicine. Skillfully navigating political maneuvering, officialdom, and human relationships, he wins allies at every turn and steadily rises through the ranks. 342.5kReads9.2Score16.9kShelves
43. 643 红 Dream of the Red Chamber: A Chancellor of Unmatched Grace 红楼：风华首辅 Painted Bridge by the Willow Smoke烟柳画桥Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [No System + intellectual battles + political intrigue + everyday life] Every line is stained with bitter tears, every page filled with absurdity. You might think this is merely a tale of infatuated, indulged young men and women behind closed doors, but who could know that the rise and fall of the world are all intertwined? Are the fortunes of the four great families destined to change? Is the dynasty beset by internal and external threats destined to fall? Must the path to a noble title and hig 44.1kReads9.2Score3.6kShelves

    Reader note

    Although it is about the Dream of the Red Chamber, the Dream of the Red Chamber is just the background. The story focuses more on the power struggles in the officialdom and the efforts to save the Ming Dynasty from its dire straits.

44. 644 深 Murder Born of Deep Love 深爱式谋杀 Lazy Sunshine V慵阳懒昧VModern Romance508k WordsCompleted My husband and I were first loves. Though we had our share of little arguments, our relationship was always good. But I never imagined that, by chance, I’d discover on my husband’s WeChat that he was not only cheating on me, but also planning to kill me... What’s more, he drugged me until I began to think I was losing my mind. By the time I realized what was happening, I had already become a madwoman in everyone else’s eyes. To uncover the evidence and motive behind his attempts to harm me, we s 47Reads9.2Score—Shelves
45. 645 全 Every Member Is an Emperor: We’ve Left the Cultivation World Stunned 全员皇帝：把修仙界给整不会了 A Bowl of Hot Dry Noodles来碗热干面Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted [Ensemble cast]+ [Every character is an emperor]+ [Comedic cultivation]+ [Loving fathers and dutiful sons] All the emperors of China’s orthodox dynasties descend upon the cultivation world at the same time. Scattered across the land, each has an assistant System called “Little Emperor.” Their first task is to find and recognize one another. Qin Shi Huang is the first to run into Liu Bang. “Hu Hai! You’d better pray I don’t find you too soon.” Wang Mang’s eyes fill with tears. “I finally have a S 22kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    An ensemble piece, featuring an emperor. Interesting and full of witty remarks.

46. 646 我 I, the Villain Chosen by Fate, Join the Chat Group 我，天命反派，加入聊天群 Like Water, Boundless似水无涯Eastern Fantasy282k WordsCompleted Reincarnated in another world as the exceptionally talented legitimate son of a powerful faction, he thinks he's reached the peak from the start! Then his younger sister suddenly says, “Brother, I went to break off my engagement with that good-for-nothing from the Xiao family!” Mu Changge: ? A clansman: “Good news! The guy who's always fought you for the position of Holy Son suddenly came down with a memory-loss condition. He can't remember a thing!” Mu Changge: ?? A subordinate: “Young Master, 64Reads8.8Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book, unlike other chat group novels, doesn't start with the protagonist being omniscient and omnipotent, or treating everyone else like fools. The protagonist doesn't become unintelligent, and the supporting characters are intelligent. It's a good novel. Weaknesses: 1. Short word count; 2. While the power levels are clearly defined, there are few scenes showcasing the protagonist's combat strength, and too much emphasis is placed on describing his impressive background. The second and third books don't have much description. I initially came to Tomato Books because of the ghost story.

47. 647 长 The Chang'an Palace Coup: The Prince She Saved Went Mad 长安宫变，她救的王爷疯了 Tuoba Hong of the Eastern Palace东殿的拓跋宏Ancient Romance174k WordsOngoing As a female official, she plots her every move at the court of the Great Yin. Empress Dowager Fu lays a deadly trap, the princes watch like hawks, and Emperor Rui seems gentle but is actually suspicious of everyone. With undercurrents surging through the palace and court, Xiao Xuan is trapped in a dead end, yet plays the pig to eat the tiger and turns the tables against the odds. Chao Shutong enters the dangerous game alone, determined to protect the one she loves. 618Reads6.5Score628Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this political intrigue novel. The author's writing style is truly excellent, and the political intrigue sections are full of scheming and calculation.

48. 648 禀EN Reporting to Your Highness, Your Consort Only Wants to Farm and Raise Her Little Ones 禀告王爷，王妃只想种田养崽崽 Dai Ruge黛如歌Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted [Farming] [Spatial Storage] [Sweet Romance] [Super Satisfying] [Two Strong Leads] [Devoted Couple] [Adorable Kids] [Secret Identity] Yun Manman, head of an ancient martial arts clan, transmigrates into another world and ends up sleeping with Mo Beiyuan, the Prince of Zhenbei. (Four years later) Mo Beiyuan gazes at Yun Manman with a wounded look. "You have to take responsibility for me." A child's voice rings out: "Mother, doesn't this man look just like the two of us?" Yun Manman jolts awake 31.2kReads9.4Score4.1kShelves

    Reader note

    "Lost Love in Times" is a book I've reread multiple times. The TV series didn't capture the heroine's strategic brilliance at all. The novel is captivating; the twins are also strong female leads, their strategies rivaling the male leads'. Watch how the heroine conquers the world! [Kissing emoji]

49. 649 从 Starting with Ying Zheng: Emperors of Every Dynasty Arrive One After Another 从嬴政开始：历代君王陆续降临 A Bowl of Hot Dry Noodles来碗热干面Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [Lighthearted + humorous + adventure] History buffs, enter at your own risk After Qin Shi Huang died, he was transported to a walled city. One day inside equaled one year in the outside world. Each time the city gates opened, the setting was different, bringing all kinds of fantastical adventures. On the third day, Hu Hai arrived. “Father, you have to get justice for me!” Twelve days later, Liu Bang arrived. “Brother Zheng, don't tell me you still don't know your Qin has fallen!” Wang Mang arriv 128.5kReads9.6Score20kShelves
50. 650 从 From Great Xia Onward: Founding Emperors Arrive One After Another 从大夏开始：开国之君陆续降临 A Bowl of Hot Dry Noodles来碗热干面Historical228k WordsCompleted A dragon's roar rang out. Da Yu, the founding ruler of Great Xia, appeared in a besieged city. Every ruler who arrived was given Dragon Coins, with a maximum of one hundred and a minimum of negative ten. Each dynasty had its own besieged city. Da Yu: “I'm not naturally inclined to slaughter...” Tang of Shang: “As the ancestor of the Shang, I still have to look after my own children.” Ji Fa: “I really don't know Nezha, Yang Jian, or Lei Zhenzi!” Qin Shi Huang: “Standardize the axles, unify the wr 3.5kReads9.0Score281Shelves

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