Ordinary Life, With Down-to-Earth Leads and Everyday Warmth 普通的生活，男女主不是很牛，平平淡淡，烟火气

1. 51 我 My Tall Mr. Right 我的高个子先生 Still That Same Snail还是那只蜗牛呀Modern Romance278k WordsCompleted 2.5kReads7.0Score260Shelves
2. 52 暗 A Guide to Crashing and Burning While Secretly in Love 暗恋翻车指南 Zhu Ziyu祝子宇Modern Romance370k WordsCompleted [High school romance | Unrequited love becomes mutual | A boastful, chatty little sun × a cool, gentle moon] ⚠️ Includes a same-sex romance between two supporting characters (not explicitly stated in the main text) - Just before finals, a transfer student joined Class One, Grade Eleven, at the affiliated high school. He was exceptionally handsome and a competition star. Before long, he had claimed the top spot in the year. His name suited him: Jiang Chenyue. Quiet and aloof, like the moon in the 2.9kReads9.4Score445Shelves

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   This is super good! I think it's the most realistic campus romance novel ever. The male lead is gentle and reserved, the female lead comes from a happy family, and she's vibrant and sunny like a little sun. Everyone is normal, without the awkward plots of other campus novels. The female lead has many good friends, and the male lead isn't some unattainable beauty. Only the female lead likes the male lead throughout the entire story. The male lead and the female lead's twin brother are both academically excellent, but there aren't any scenes where a bunch of people like them. It's very heartwarming and realistic; the family, friendship, and love relationships are all beautiful (I couldn't stand reading other novels because they felt so fake).

3. 53 当 Small-Town Life After Retiring from Maid Service 当丫鬟退休后的小县城生活 Lucky Matcha Ice幸运抹茶冰冰Ancient Romance400k WordsCompleted (Completed) [Food-stall heroine + storybook-writing hero + fictional setting + no golden finger + gentle, everyday life] Fifteen years after leaving the He household in the capital, Jiang Yu, a retired maid, returns to Daliu Town with her daughter. She buys a small courtyard and sets up a food stall at the mouth of an alley. In Sweetwater Alley lives a successful candidate who writes storybooks instead of doing anything respectable. Cheng keeps odd hours, sleeping by day and staying up at night. 3.6kReads8.9Score349Shelves

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   An ordinary family; the male lead is gentle, and the female lead is an exceptionally good cook.

4. 54 等 Waiting for Spring to Come 等来年春时 New Snow Year After Year初雪岁岁年年Urban200k WordsCompleted [One female lead] [Mutual salvation] [School life] [Pure love] “Cheng Yang, do you like growing flowers?” “Cheng Yang, want to go see the rapeseed flowers at Shoushan together?” “Cheng Yang, would you like to take a photo together?” “Cheng Yang, you don’t look down on me, do you...?” “Cheng Yang, have you seen Forrest Gump? Life is like a box of chocolates, hey!” “Cheng Yang, girls have such soft cheeks. Want to pinch mine?” “Cheng Yang, how much does a girl have to like you to watch the sunset 272Reads8.5Score—Shelves

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   These are all ordinary people, full of the warmth and humanity of everyday life—these are the most comforting books.

5. 55 重 The Quiet Life of a Reborn Embroiderer 重生绣女的平淡生活 A Little Physician一个小郎中Ancient Romance131k WordsCompleted After being born into ancient times, Lin Yue has no ambition to change the world. She is just an ordinary person who wants to live a peaceful life. But life is always full of surprises. Fortunately, Lin Yue has a bold heart and can deal with life’s unexpected turns rationally, building herself a reasonably happy life. There is no golden finger, and people in ancient times are no fools. 6.8kReads8.7Score618Shelves

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   The story follows Lin Yue, who is reborn into ancient times. She doesn't seek great wealth or status, only a peaceful life. Although she lacks any special abilities, she relies on her courage and wisdom to calmly handle unexpected events, gradually building her own happy life through farming. [Kiss][Kiss] Farming | Ancient Romance | Past Life & Present Life

6. 56 六 The Sixties: Daily Gossip in a Compound Full of Eccentrics 六零：大杂院极品吃瓜日常 Golden Egg Egg金蛋蛋蛋Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Courtyard compound + gossip + outrageous characters + everyday life + family squabbles + comedy + a touch of ensemble cast] Yu Junsheng is reborn and discovers he was a doormat who'd been used and betrayed at every turn. As a neighbor in the courtyard compound, he not only gave someone a house, a job, and a huge sum of money, but also raised that person's wife and child. Then, at just the right moment, he conveniently died to make way for them. In the end, all he got was a line from the treache 16.8kReads8.2Score1.4kShelves

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   What an amazing couple, just sitting around eating melon seeds in that awful tenement courtyard! [Laughs][laughs][laughs]

7. 57 一 A Steadfast Vigil, Untainted 一成不染的守候 Mu Yu 228沐榆228Marriage & Romance10k WordsCompleted A spotless vigil —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   I love this story. The male lead silently waits for the female lead for many years, and she takes it all for granted... Only after a long, unforgettable experience does she realize that her best lover has always been by her side. Both the male and female leads are ordinary people; true happiness lies in the simple things!

8. 58 在 The Days I Spent Farming in the Village 在村里种田的日子 Zeng Pig Milk Tea曾猪奶茶Ancient Romance231k WordsCompleted The rating is low because it was just released. Give it a try if it sounds like your thing. Sang Wan, a maid in the Li residence, offended one of the household's esteemed guests and was handed over to a slave broker. He took her from Jiangzhou Prefecture on a winding journey, and by a twist of fate, sold her to a rough soldier who had just returned home to the Du family. The eldest son, Du Yu'en, had coarse features and a fierce look in his eyes. He spoke in a gruff voice, and whenever he shoute 921Reads8.7Score100Shelves

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   Both of these are by the same author. ① Is about a family's ordinary life, earning money by hunting in the mountains. ② Is about the male and female protagonists starting from nothing, gradually earning money by digging for medicinal herbs in the mountains, and eventually buying a small house in the county town. Both are written in classical Chinese, with no time travel or reincarnation elements.

9. 59 四 Joy All Year Round 四季常欢 Wild Dreams Year After Year狂想年年Ancient Romance267k WordsCompleted Chang Huan transmigrated. Before transmigrating, she had been an ordinary office drone in the modern world, living a peaceful, uneventful life. But she never expected the apocalypse to arrive out of nowhere and shatter her quiet existence. Though she had a plant-based ability, it was pretty useless in the early stages, and life in the apocalypse was far from easy. Whenever she went out to search for supplies, she had to stay on guard against zombie hordes and watch out for betrayal by her compan 880Reads8.1Score109Shelves

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   The female protagonist transmigrates into the body of a peasant girl, while the male protagonist is a native. To escape her patriarchal family, the female protagonist seeks out the male protagonist to live with her. Together, they work hard and achieve a happy life with children, a dog, land, and a shop. The writing style is slice-of-life, featuring delicious food and a simple, heartwarming atmosphere.

10. 60 大 The Courtyard Compound: The Warmth of Everyday Life 大杂院：人间烟火气 Du Xiaore杜小惹Modern Romance546k WordsCompleted [Period setting + family drama + everyday life] If you're young and inexperienced, take this as a warning and steer clear. This book probably isn't for you. It has none of the usual wish-fulfillment tropes and no imaginary cheat powers. It's simply an ordinary story about people in northern China. [No transmigration, no System, no pocket dimension, no being reborn, and none of the modern-novel elements you know.] It records the ordinary life of a northern town in the 1980s, capturing the memorie 8.8kReads9.1Score775Shelves

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    The era of everyday life

11. 61 全 Everyone Knows President He Likes Secretary Lin 全世界都知道贺总喜欢林秘书 Qu Buzhi曲不知Modern Romance299k WordsCompleted [Devoted couple, sweet romance, love at first sight, CEO and secretary] After dismissing three secretaries in six months, He Yuan was thoroughly pleased with Lin Yue, his fourth. But this secretary kept going on blind dates, giving He Yuan the impression that she was desperate to get married. However... Lin Yue seemed to be cursed with bad luck. She kept running into either mama's boys or weirdos. And then... Secretary Lin cried. Seven blind dates in six months, and seven times in tears. He Yuan 12.9kReads9.4Score1.5kShelves

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    A relatively calm and enduring love.

12. 62 老 My Husband Cheated, So I Swapped Husbands with His Mistress to Change Our Fates 老公出轨，我和小三换夫改命 Du Wanxing杜菀星Modern Romance553k WordsCompleted A new novel currently being serialized, with its rating just posted! [Not a wish-fulfillment story] [Period setting + remarriage + devoted husband + marriage first, love later] [Some ensemble cast elements] [No System] [No pocket dimension] [Realistic everyday life] In the height of summer in 1977, Xu Nan, a temporary worker at a machinery factory, caught her husband, Cheng Peng, having an affair with Liang Yan Min, an employee at the same factory. To protect his reputation and prospects, Cheng 17.2kReads8.4Score1.2kShelves
13. 63 下 I Went to Teach in the Countryside, but the Rugged Farmer Took Me Home and Spoiled Me 下乡支教，却被糙汉娶回家宠 Fresh Radish Skin新鲜萝卜皮Modern Romance371k WordsCompleted [23 cm Height Difference + Size Difference + Intense Romantic Tension + Sweet Romance + Healing] (The male lead is utterly devoted to his wife) Ji Tao was born into poverty and hardship. She worked hard to get into college because she never wanted to live that kind of life again. At first glance, Zhou Lu seemed poor and nasty. He was absolutely not her type. But the man clung to her like a vine in the mud, wrapping himself around her so tightly that she couldn't escape or fight him off. All she 14.4kReads9.2Score1.5kShelves

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    The tug-of-war between Ji Tao and Zhou Lu is incredibly captivating [23cm height difference + body size difference + extreme tug-of-war between the male and female leads + sweet romance + redemption] (the male lead is obsessed with his wife). Ji Tao was born into poverty and backwardness, and she worked hard to get into university because she didn't want to live that kind of hard life again. Zhou Lu, this man, seemed both poor and wicked, completely not her type. But he was like a vine in the mud, clinging to her tightly. She couldn't escape or fight back, so she packed her things and ran away. That night was very dark, and Ji Tao was walking quickly with her suitcase, but Zhou Lu still stopped her halfway. The man's face was ashen. He carried her on his back with one hand and her suitcase in the other, heading back to his house. He threw her onto the bed, then pulled a suitcase out from under the bed, unlocked it, and ripped it off. Stacks of cash fell out: "You just think I'm poor, don't you?" "I am a gold digger." "Come here, I have money!" It's a love story of a gold-digging, materialistic woman (oh, not really).

14. 64 开 With a Start This Bad, I'm Not Taking the Loss 开局这么烂，吃亏我不干 w Nankew南柯Modern Romance375k WordsCompleted Born under a peach-blossom fate, where it’s me or him: flirtatious men and women, face-slapping, and putting scumbags in their place. On a snowy night, in an earth cellar, on a heated kang in the Northeast, in a remote mountain village, poor Liang Laonian sees something he shouldn’t. Under immense pressure and with no one to turn to, he can only keep quiet. Later, Liang Daqing is born, his bloodline a mystery. As a child, he was lazy, sly, greedy, and slippery. As a teenager, he was rebellious 747Reads8.4Score107Shelves

    Reader note

    Full of the warmth of everyday life, the story is interesting. These are two period novels by the same author, the first is a new book and the second is completed. They are suitable for middle-aged and elderly readers.

15. 65 古 The Daily Life of an Ancient Couple Making Money and Raising Kids 古代夫妻赚钱养娃日常 Zhuang Sheng Mi庄生迷Ancient Romance735k WordsCompleted A local ancient couple's everyday struggle to save money and raise their child! The village's most beautiful embroiderer × a clever, capable accountant × their smart, well-behaved son! See how this family rises from humble farming roots and climbs the social ladder! The story of Chen Qiuyue and Zhao Huaiyu, a couple born and raised in ancient times, who work hard to save money and pay for their child's education after starting a family. They succeed in raising their child to excel, and their fa 7.4kReads8.6Score554Shelves

    Reader note

    These three books depict the ordinary lives of people in ancient times, a family running a business together, without imperial power or any special abilities, just simple and heartwarming daily life.

16. 66 百 The Many Flavors of Life, Part One: A Snowy Night of Lost Souls 百味人生第一部：失魂风雪夜 w Nankew南柯Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Family, love, and adultery. This small mountain village seems peaceful, but undercurrents run deep, and human dramas of sorrow and joy unfold every day. On a bitterly cold, snowy night, a young and beautiful mother is assaulted and becomes pregnant. Afterward, she lives every day in fear and pain, desperately trying to keep the secret. When the truth comes to light, the demon who has appeared in her dreams countless times has never really gone away. What will the mother do? This book offers a 14.6kReads9.2Score1.5kShelves
17. 67 张 The Little Girl from Secretary Zhang's Family 张书记家的小姑娘 Warm Tangerine橘暖暖Modern Romance337k WordsCompleted After graduating from college at 24, Sang Ning chose to return to her hometown and take a job in the public sector. A year later, her employer sent her to a township government office for two years of support work. She became Secretary Zhang’s subordinate, and eventually, Secretary Zhang became part of her family. At 32, Zhang Yizheng was a veteran and the head of the township government. One day, a young woman joined the office. She was young, capable, and full of personality. For the first ti 17.9kReads9.1Score1.6kShelves

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    The female lead is a county-level civil servant from a rural family with no connections. She's transferred to help out in the town. The male lead is a retired soldier and the head of the township government, eight years her senior. Children from poor families mature early, and the female lead is independent. She had already planned her future while in university, securing a job on her first try after graduation—a very hardworking girl. The male lead is actually rather ordinary. His family background is better than hers; he's a second-generation rich kid. He has the typical flaws of a man: he gets angry easily, is chauvinistic and doesn't like the female lead being too distant, and sometimes doesn't understand women's subtle feelings. His advantages are his good looks, sense of responsibility, and clear boundaries with other women, rejecting them decisively.

18. 68 穿 Transmigrating into the Mountains: A Farmer Widow’s Easygoing Life 穿越深山，农家小寡妇的悠哉日常 Green Robe青裳Ancient Romance331k WordsCompleted (No romance, farming, no golden finger, no imperial power struggles, no awful relatives, building a fortune, everyday family life, livestock raising) Wen Li woke up one day in the body of a young widow. Well, she got to be a mom without the labor pains, and there was no man in the picture. Not bad. Looking at her family of frail and elderly relatives, their home practically bare, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She led them in farming, selling medicinal herbs, curing persimmons, and g 1.3kReads8.8Score118Shelves
19. 69 中 A Middle-Aged Woman's Reckless Years 中年荒唐的女人 Flying Snow in the Desert大漠飞雪Modern Romance258k WordsCompleted The story is about Yang Liu, an ordinary woman from the bottom of society. Hardworking and capable, she refuses to settle for an ordinary life, but ends up making a complete mess of things, surrounded by chaos and constant commotion... 2.7kReads8.6Score218Shelves

    Reader note

    A story of betrayal in a relationship, dissatisfaction with a mundane life, family breakdown, divorce, and a life in complete chaos.

20. 70 青 The Childhood Sweethearts Had an Adorably Mischievous Little One 青梅夫妻生了个乖皮小崽崽 Wen Xixi温熙熙Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Gentle, Sweet Wife VS Rough, Devoted Tough Guy + Sweet, Well-Behaved Little Rascal] Xiao Qingwan had known since she was old enough to understand that she wasn’t her parents’ biological child. Her birth parents had abandoned her, but she later found adoptive parents who cherished her. She also married the man who had loved her since childhood, and finally had a real home. Scene One After they married, his buddies watched him stick to his wife all day, grinning like a fool. Anyone who didn’t kno 8.3kReads8.9Score540Shelves

    Reader note

    This is really good, a slice-of-life story.

21. 71 把 The Woman Who Destroyed Her Family 把家毁了的女人 Flying Snow in the Desert大漠飞雪Modern Romance628k WordsCompleted The Woman Who Ruined Her Family, also known as The Reckless Woman Truck Escort. This is the story of Yang Xu, an ordinary woman whose laughably absurd behavior turns her life into a complete mess. She’ll make you laugh, but you’ll also find her infuriating, pitiable, and hard to forgive... The writing is witty and humorous, and the story moves quickly. I hope you enjoy it! 690Reads8.6Score102Shelves
22. 72 六 The 1960s: After Getting into Technical College, I Secure a Cadre Position 六零：考上中专后，我稳坐干部岗 Don't Know Any Better孬不道Modern Romance999k WordsCompleted [1960s + everyday life + extremely, extremely slow-paced + family squabbles + no rural assignment + vocational school entrance exams + few awful relatives] [This is a female-oriented novel! The heroine is an ordinary person, not a powerhouse heroine. Please don’t read if that bothers you.] Heartbroken and still looking for an internship? To escape reality, senior college student Zhou Yuan casually signed a contract for the full-immersion game Awakening. When she opened her eyes, she had become Z 17.2kReads8.5Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This is a super good period drama, depicting the everyday life of a family, without a stepmother, a military marriage, or revenge. The female lead is intelligent, works hard to get into a vocational school, and doesn't want to go to the countryside. Because there are fewer reviewers, the rating is a bit low. It mainly focuses on the warm daily life of the main family. Its strength lies in its excellent depiction of the era; this is the most focused on historical setting I've read on Tomato (a Chinese online literature platform). Prices are reasonable and precise, down to the cents or a few tickets. The details are meticulous, and there aren't many awful characters. It feels like you're truly living in that era. The only downside is the slow pace; there isn't much romance yet. You can read it as a period drama combined with a farming/developmental story.

23. 73 姐 Brother-in-Law, Brother-in-Law 姐夫姐夫 Flying Snow in the Desert大漠飞雪Modern Romance226k WordsCompleted The story begins with the older sister, Da Qiao, being caught in bed by an old classmate ten years ago. She lived a lavish, debauched private life and cultivated the image of a rich woman. Ten years later, she uses seduction to take revenge on a female university professor... The story takes its time and stays close to real life, showing the everyday hardships faced by ordinary people at the bottom of society. I hope you enjoy it! 2.2kReads6.7Score161Shelves
24. 74 降 Descending Into His Heart 降临他心上 Scallion Egg Pancake葱香鸡蛋饼Modern Romance404k WordsCompleted [Physical edition available for preorder on April 4] + [Short drama now streaming] [Sweet youth romance] + [Both leads are pure] Zhou Ran, owner of Xiacheng’s most famous tattoo shop, is synonymous with coldness and wildness. The first time Xia Mian sees him, she barges into his tattoo shop and asks for a butterfly tattoo. “What color do you want?” “Green.” “What shade of green?” Xia Mian hesitates, then points to his light green hair. “That exact shade.” Zhou Ran: “?” - People in Xiacheng say t 31kReads9.5Score4.6kShelves

    Reader note

    🌿In an ordinary summer city, Xia Mian walked into a tattoo shop called "Entanglement," which will soon be renamed "Entanglement of Sleep." Some people laughed at Zhou Ran for being illiterate, even misspelling the "mian" in "entanglement," unaware that he was actually entangled with Xia Mian's "mian." I finished reading it a long time ago and haven't been able to bear deleting it; this book gave me a feeling of first love. 🥺🥺🥺

25. 75 如 If Only You'd Look at Me a Little More 如果你能多看我一眼 Huang Xiaoxian黄小仙儿Modern Romance208k WordsCompleted Based on the author's real-life experiences. Any similarities are purely plagiarism. Can childhood sweethearts really lose out to someone who appears by fate? He came riding a bamboo hobbyhorse, circling the bed and playing with green plums. The year Lin Xi met He Shi, she was ten years old, an arrogant little top student. One radiant glance from her, and all the world's beauty faded to dust. The year Lin Xi met Yu Chao, she was eighteen, a loser who had failed the college entrance exam. He was 6Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The female lead is an elementary school teacher, and the male lead's family owns a supermarket. It's a childhood sweetheart versus a sudden new love interest story. There are no exaggerated plot points, and the writing style is simple and heartwarming.

26. 76 剩 Blueberry, the Leftover Woman 剩女蓝莓 Flying Snow in the Desert大漠飞雪Modern Romance149k WordsCompleted Blueberry is an unmarried woman who’s still living at home. She has two unreliable best friends: Mihua is a bit of a flirt who teases men and ended up kicked out by her husband with nothing, while Feifei loves mahjong and dreams only of marrying into a wealthy family… Three women, and plenty of drama. Love, ethics, human nature… They say hotpot is all about the lively world around the table. Our story begins with a hotpot meal… The story is a slow burn. I hope you’ll enjoy it! 40Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 77 收 The Struggling Underclassman I Took In Is Actually a Hidden Gem 收留的落难学妹，居然是宝藏女孩 I Have Only老夫惟有Urban438k WordsCompleted #Campus #SweetRomance #Healing #LivingTogether #Redemption #EverydayLife #Romance #GrowingUp At an internet cafe in the early hours of the morning, Li Youran found a homeless girl. Little did he know that finding her would mean finding someone to spend his whole life with. From fellow townspeople to old flames, from the girl who would be his girlfriend to the woman who is now his wife, Youran and serenity through the years… 415Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Recommended (*≧∪≦)👍🏻 A typical slice-of-life romance with a single female lead.

28. 78 年 The Supporting Girl in the Period Novel Rolled Her Eyes 年代文女配翻了个白眼 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Modern Romance1.9M WordsOngoing [The blurb is misleading. This isn't a wish-fulfillment novel, and the leads are ordinary people. If you only like mindless wish fulfillment, please don't read this. Thank you.] Qiu Bailu transmigrates into a period novel as a clownish, supporting villainess, destined to scheme her way to a lifetime of poverty. She's so angry she laughs. She's unapologetically hypocritical. When she read the book, she sided with the protagonist and thought the villainess was awful. Now that she's the villainess, 92.2kReads8.8Score6.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The sister-in-law is the female lead in the original novel. She's an extreme family member, without any special advantages. As soon as the male lead finishes his military service, she demands a separation from the family, and the two buy a small courtyard and move out. The female lead is cheerful and a little gossipy, but she won't get angry unless provoked. She won't tolerate anyone who causes trouble; she'll scold or beat them if necessary. Both are captivated by each other's good looks. The male lead finds his wife adorable in every way, and the female lead also likes the male lead's appearance, even urging him not to gain weight and to maintain his abs. Their life is warm and happy.

29. 79 和 Everyday Life After Marrying Mr. Lu 和陆总的婚后日常 Half a Cup of Iced Milk半杯冰牛奶Modern Romance200k WordsCompleted [Money-loving dessert shop owner X dessert-obsessed CEO] [Sweet from beginning to end / devoted to each other / marriage before love / perfect match. A warm, everyday romance with no melodrama, centered on loving each other wholeheartedly] Lu Yanzhi happened to walk into a dessert shop one day and discovered that its owner was also being pressured to marry. So the two struck a deal. Though it was a contract marriage in which each got what they needed, love is a willing surrender of one’s free wi 1.6kReads9.1Score125Shelves

    Reader note

    Warmth and healing: Feeling love in a slow-paced life

30. 80 向 To Zhouzhou 向周舟 Yu Yezao俞叶早Modern Romance274k WordsCompleted [Short drama now streaming] [Gentle, composed top student VS warm, devoted tech expert] Some people are like rainbows: you only know they exist once you meet them. After a family upheaval, Zhou Zhou ends her overseas posting and returns to City H. The news reaches Cheng Yanran, now a partner at a high-tech company. After several sleepless nights, Cheng decides to take a chance and adds her on WeChat, using selling a car as an excuse! A decade-long unrequited love finally bears fruit in a story t 14.8kReads9.3Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a top student who also served as a diplomat for several years before returning from abroad to become the mayor's secretary after a family crisis. The male lead is her high school classmate and has a crush on her. He thought his chances were hopeless, but when she suddenly returns, he immediately tries to get close to her. Neither lead is conventionally beautiful or handsome. The female lead has a cool, aloof air, but she's surprisingly cute and has a hidden goofy side. The male lead is clean-cut, responsible, worldly-wise, and possesses high emotional intelligence. He's also loyal to his friends, joining a company with them and contributing both money and technical expertise (it's a normal company, not a domineering CEO). His parents also like the female lead, enjoying her peaceful and happy life without setbacks.

31. 81 老 A Little Diary of Office Romance 老板恋爱小记 Dui Jiuchuan兑九川Modern Romance191k WordsCompleted Life is long, and there is much to look forward to. Cheng Mulin, now over thirty, never thought she would meet someone she truly liked enough to give up being single. Li Chengfei never imagined that someone's arrival could make him this happy. 3.8kReads8.9Score391Shelves

    Reader note

    Both are heartwarming and slice-of-life stories. The male and female leads are intelligent and articulate, and both are positive, courageous, and highly capable. While the first book features a successful couple, the second book has a more tolerant, considerate, and gentle male lead. Through his encouragement and the female lead's own hard work, she sets sail again.

32. 82 时 In the Gentle Flow of Time, I Wish You a Lifetime of Peace 时光清浅许你一世安然 Crazy Little Tortoise疯狂小乌龟Modern Romance236k WordsCompleted Time will show you just how important it is to have someone emotionally steady by your side. Shi Ran waited six years, but in the end, she still didn't get a wedding dress. Heartbroken and disillusioned, she decisively chose to marry Dr. Xu, who was eager to start a family. That night, beneath a torrential downpour, a casual glance from him stirred his heart and unsettled his thoughts, until he entrusted her with the rest of his life. The married life of a southern girl (a petite little potato) 8.9kReads9.2Score748Shelves

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    ☘️☘️☘️① Without the clichés of time travel or reincarnation, and without any cheat codes, the story unfolds slowly against the simple backdrop of Zao Shu Village. The poverty of the Su family leads Su Baiying to willingly marry into the Song family to support her brother's marriage. Song Qinghuai, initially indifferent to marriage due to filial piety, marries out. However, over the years, they journey together. The story focuses on the hardships and struggles of the imperial examination system, as well as the gradual management of their wealth. The antique style vividly depicts the everyday life of the countryside, revealing true feelings in the mundane details. In their journey from nothing to something, their relationship gradually deepens, showcasing an extraordinary love and life amidst ordinary days.

33. 83 准 My Almost-Cousin Became My Bride, and the Tattooed Tough Guy Dotes on Her 准堂妹成了小媳妇，纹身糙汉独宠 Sour Green Plums酸酸的青梅Modern Romance301k WordsCompleted The rating just came out, and not many people have read this yet. If you like it, please give it five stars ❤️ [Native to the period + married first, love later + everyday family life] Su Yanle isn’t very bright. When she learns that her cousin stole money from home and ran off with someone, she crouches in the corner for a long time before happily clapping her hands. [Great! Now Sister can’t steal my eggs anymore.] But the next day, her aunt comes looking for her, saying she’ll take her out for 334Reads6.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    An ordinary, uneventful life.

34. 84 破 I Ran Into My Ex on the Day I Went Bankrupt 破产当天碰到了前男友 Dui Jiuchuan兑九川Modern Romance378k WordsCompleted Older male and female leads; neither is a virgin; one-on-one romance. She had spent five and a half years building a business, only to be hit by a pandemic that came once in decades and dragged on for more than three years, sending the entire industry into a massive downturn. Just when things finally seemed to be looking up, she got cheated again, leaving her cash flow in tatters. She was three million in debt, her company had shut down, and on the day she went bankrupt, with her hair a mess and 1.5kReads8.2Score144Shelves
35. 85 路 A Long Road Ahead: I Teach the Professor to Fall in Love 路陆漫漫，我教教授谈恋爱 Napping Sunny打盹的sunny呀Modern Romance502k WordsCompleted “This is a story about a dance teacher and an agricultural professor bringing warmth to each other's lives.” Tired? Why not go back to your hometown for a visit? See the wheat fields swaying in the wind, the peach tree at the head of the village, and the big yellow dog running to greet you from afar. “Lu Jingcheng! If you don't come back and get married soon, your dad and I are disowning you. Do you really want to spend your whole life with your wheat fields?” It's not that I don't want to go ba 12Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Here are a few books that I've personally read and found to be very engaging. They all depict ordinary life and are very close to reality. Some of these books have fewer readers and lower ratings, but the content is excellent. I recommend giving them a try; they might just be the perfect read to alleviate your reading slump.

36. 86 五 The 1950s: Starting Out as an Apprentice 五零：从学徒工开始 Gold Always Shines, and I'll Be There是金子总会有我的Modern Romance461k WordsCompleted [Period setting + native protagonist + daily life + career + no golden finger] [An ordinary story about ordinary people] Her parents wanted Baolan to take her eldest brother's place in an arranged marriage. Baolan refused. Baolan passed the worker recruitment exam. Starting as an apprentice, Baolan attended night school, got promoted, bought a watch, bought a bicycle... Little by little, she built herself a good life. 34.7kReads9.0Score3.9kShelves
37. 87 你 The Candy You Gave Me Was So Sweet 你给的糖，很甜 Mu Ziyang木子阳Modern Romance135k WordsCompleted Tang Tang and her husband had been married for three years without managing to conceive. Then one day, she learned that her husband had gotten someone else pregnant, and the woman even showed up at their door. Tang Tang immediately made room for the mother and her child. Li Anhang, Tang Tang’s divorce lawyer, used “fate” to win her over, gradually breaking down her defenses and winning the heart of this gentle but strong-willed woman. 170Reads6.9Score—Shelves
38. 88 说 We Agreed to Flee the Famine Together, So Why Do You Want to Marry Me? 说好的搭伙逃荒，你居然想娶我？ Eight-O'Clock Commuter早八人Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Song Qing had done reasonably well in school and had a happy family. All she wanted was to find a stable job after graduation, coast through life, and wait for death. Who could have guessed she would inexplicably transmigrate onto a refugee trail and begin a life that was the complete opposite? She couldn’t even start a fire, and now she had to face starving refugees who would eat people and a drought so severe that there weren’t even any wild vegetables to be found. What could she do with a dis 17.9kReads8.0Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a great show. The female lead is optimistic but not naive; she's the kind of person who falls in love with an ancient man instantly and is constantly growing. The male lead is also really great. I wonder when they'll get together.

39. 89 夏 Summer and Fate 夏季与天意 La Jiu Yun腊玖雲Modern Romance211k WordsCompleted An ordinary encounter: one is a talented young woman at a crossroads in her life, and the other is a dedicated high school teacher. A sweet story about down-to-earth life and love. Xu Huanyi met Xu Tian in the summer. Once lost and uncertain, she gave up the job she already had and came to this small town for a fresh start. To her delight, she discovered that Xu Tian was part of that new beginning. Back in high school, Xu Tian had inexplicably taken a liking to a girl, though all he did was wa 123Reads8.9Score—Shelves
40. 90 独 I Only Like You 独独喜欢你 Xian Mang弦芒Modern Romance541k WordsCompleted [Extra Sweet, No Angst] + [Mutual Firsts] + [Healing] + [Nine-Year Age Gap] Gu Ji, born into a family that favored boys over girls and initially named Gu Zhaodi, met a kindhearted man on a scorching summer day. The first time Gu Ji, from a small mountain village, left the mountains, she met the refined and distinguished Mr. Dan as soon as she stepped out of the train station. Seeing the girl walking all the way to school, the gentle, cultured man was moved to help her. Their chance encounters ov 3.5kReads9.3Score361Shelves
41. 91 楼 Moonlight Shines on the Pavilion 楼台月明 Gentle Scholar温柔文人Modern Romance474k WordsCompleted [Print edition signed] Jiang Yunxin had a close friend she'd grown up with. When they were eleven, an unexpected visitor came to her friend's house: her cousin, Leng Yizhi. Her friend said that even at such a young age, her cousin seemed detached from everything. He never showed happiness or sadness and hardly spoke at all. So her aunt announced that she'd pay him one yuan for every word he said. And so... “Cousin, what's your name?” “Cousin, what grade are you in?” “Cou...” After being bombarde 155.8kReads9.5Score31.2kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a heartwarming story. The female lead is a radiant, almost oblivious, little sun, super cute. The male lead is a guiding lover, with a cool and endearing demeanor. There's an older man/younger woman dynamic, a youthful father figure, and a slightly sinister, ghostly vibe – a rare couple that feels like teenagers at the same time.

42. 92 宜 A Good Match for Marriage 宜嫁宜娶 Wawa Is Not a Cabbage Heart娃娃不是菜心Modern Romance645k WordsCompleted Welcome, drama fans! Two storylines: [son of a bureau chief x daughter of a deputy director] & [high-ranking official’s family x heiress] Ji Yunjia found Song Jiming holding her camisole, looking puzzled. “How is this so padded when you haven’t even put it on?” His gaze drifted to her chest. It wasn’t big, but it didn’t look small either. He chuckled. “Ms. Ji, you’ve got quite a lot of padding there.” Ji Yunjia’s face burned. She hurriedly snatched it from him. “What do you know?” She was wearin 22.7kReads9.0Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    That has to be this one! The male lead is a boss, but he's broke. He uses up all of the female lead's dowry and betrothal gifts. The female lead is a teacher, but she has a certain background.

43. 93 我 I Might Fall in Love with You 我可能会爱你 The Lion Says Ten狮子曰十Modern Romance238k WordsCompleted At thirty-four, Zhang Xiaonan, an older unmarried woman, finally got married. She hadn't wanted to. She'd already decided to spend her whole life alone. But life is unpredictable: she went on a blind date with a real catch, and married him. After breaking up with his first love, Liu Wenjing thought he would never date or marry again. Then he met an older woman who didn't want a bride price, a house, or a car, and didn't even want him to love her. He figured people had to get married eventually, 3.6kReads8.8Score286Shelves

    Reader note

    I recommend this book. I'm usually an impatient person and tend to skip around when reading, but I read this one cover to cover without missing a single chapter [laughs]. It's super good, very realistic and down-to-earth, and the female lead is very clear-headed. Overall, it's a great book and worth reading.

44. 94 村 The Village's Laziest Beauty Marries a Rough-Hewn Man from the Next Village 村里最懒的美娇娘嫁给了邻村糙汉 Gu Jingqiu顾惊秋Ancient Romance540k WordsCompleted [Complete + Farming + No transmigration + No System + Size Difference + Devoted Love + Everyday Family Life + Cozy Daily Life] In a sentence: The laziest woman in the village marries a rugged hunter from the neighboring village and enjoys a cozy life as his utterly spoiled wife. When the Xu family came to propose, Lu Tian asked Xu An, “If I marry you, will you treat me well?” Xu An replied, “If you dare to marry me, I swear I’ll never let you down.” So Lu Tian married him. Everyone wondered 11.5kReads9.1Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Lu Tiantian, the pampered and beautiful daughter of the Lu family, surprisingly married a strong, burly, and aloof rough man. The villagers speculated whether she would be beaten to death, but the rough man spoiled her rotten, and the two lived a loving and devoted life together.

45. 95 离 During the Cooling-Off Period After Our Divorce, My Straight-Laced Husband Suddenly Gets It 离婚冷静期，直男老公突然开窍了 33 Little Princess33小公主Modern Romance608k WordsCompleted [Deputy director in government × dermatologist] [Marriage first, love later, winning her back, age gap, sweetness toggles between all sugar, half sugar, three-tenths sugar, and sugar-free] After marrying Director Zhou, who believes rules are more important than anything, Chen Jiayi found herself living a very unusual married life: She had to file a report for everything, including sleeping, eating, and watching short dramas. She was done with this life. She dragged Zhou Jingcheng to get a divorc 7.2kReads8.7Score533Shelves

    Reader note

    Please support and encourage my wife's book! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up] This has nothing to do with my position in the family. My wife has realistically portrayed the common little frictions and arguments between couples in the book. For example, the male protagonist always likes to control the female protagonist, his intention is to do what's best for her, but over time, the female protagonist feels she has no freedom, even being nagged about drinking a cup of milk tea or scrolling through her phone for a while. But I think the most brilliant points are two: First, she gave the male protagonist the persona of a "deputy director," instantly making his controlling habits seem reasonable. He's used to being a leader, and he can't change them at home. Second, she uses the most serious and earnest language to write about the trivial matters between couples, creating a huge contrast. The male protagonist even goes to see an infertility specialist, which is really brilliant. The male and female protagonists in the book are like friends around us, very down-to-earth, with a slight artistic embellishment of ordinary people's lives. My wife has told readers more than once that the male protagonist is based on me. But it's really not me; I've never seen an infertility specialist.

46. 96 军 The Head Drill Instructor Is the School Bully I Had a Crush on in Middle School 军训总教官，是我初中暗恋的校霸 Runaway Superstar在逃巨星Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Completed~ On the first day of military training, I discovered that the chief instructor was the school bully I'd given a demerit to back in middle school. He made me do squats, saying my military stance was sloppy, but he was the first to rush over when I fainted. Everyone was afraid of him. Only I knew that he'd once climbed over a wall to buy me milk tea, once sang for me alone in the music room, and once promised to protect me forever. Until one day, he pinned me against a fire engine, his e 1.3kReads8.9Score156Shelves

    Reader note

    The male lead is a firefighter who has liked the female lead since middle school (she also likes him). He went to work during that time, but they reunited when she was in college as his instructor. They're both good-natured, so things progress quickly, but their relationship is a slow and steady, very sweet one. Worth watching.

47. 97 许 Xu Mian's Road to Riches 许绵的暴富人生 Soft and Fluffy软绵绵绵绵Modern Romance368k WordsCompleted (Sudden riches + shopping + sweet romance + both leads’ first relationship, both pure, 1v1) What should you do if you suddenly win a huge prize? Ordinary girl Xu Mian says: Of course, take the chance to enjoy a life where you can lie flat. Try delicious food, buy the things you like, and visit the places you’ve always wanted to go... You can’t predict what fate has in store. When a golden pie falls right into your lap, you’d better seize the opportunity! 10.8kReads6.1Score179Shelves

    Reader note

    Still slowly increasing in score

48. 98 良 My Beloved Has Waited So Long 良人久候 Autumn Colors Enchant秋色撩人Modern Romance363k WordsCompleted [Marriage before love + whirlwind marriage + sweet mutual devotion + everyday life + romance and marriage + love that grows over time] (The leads aren’t exceptional prodigies, princes, or princesses. They’re ordinary working stiffs: no wish fulfillment, no grand romance, just a realistic story.) A sweet romance that starts bitter and ends sweet. After setbacks at work leave Bai Zhanying physically and emotionally exhausted, she returns to her hometown, only to face her parents’ relentless pres 13.5kReads9.0Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    This one! The author's writing is superb; the gentle, enduring love between two ordinary people is so heartwarming.

49. 99 和 I Got a Happy Ending with My Sharp-Tongued, Flirty Ex-Boyfriend 和我那嘴贱会撩的前男友HE了 Abyssal Imagination深渊脑洞Modern Romance255k WordsCompleted [A PE teacher with off-the-charts combat skills + A sharp-tongued orthopedic surgeon who knows how to flirt] [Lighthearted Comedy + Reunion After Years Apart + Everyday Life + Sweet Romance + Love-Hate Relationship + Getting Back Together] One bowl of pork intestine noodles was all it took for Qiu Y inong, usually strong and healthy, to be whisked away in an ambulance. After spending the night on an IV in the hospital emergency room, she walked out the front entrance, her body still weak. Beyond 7kReads9.0Score774Shelves

    Reader note

    The story revolves around an ordinary couple, living a mundane life. The female lead's parents are typical son-preference chauvinists, constantly criticizing and lecturing her. She also struggles to find work in the big city, leading her to return to her hometown under immense pressure. She finds new employment as a cook on a construction site, earning 4,000 yuan a month. [Facepalm emoji] The male lead is also a member of the construction project team, working at heights—high-risk work—so his salary is likely quite high, though he won't be white. Fortunately, he's a tall, non-smoking, non-drinking young man.

50. 100 今 Random Drops Again Today 今天也在随机掉落 Soft and Fluffy软绵绵绵绵Modern Romance454k WordsOngoing (The blurb is just a rough guide. For details, please read the story.) [Daily Life + Family Matters + Slow Pace + Rags-to-Riches Wish Fulfillment] Bai Zhenxia's happy summer vacation raising pigs hadn't even begun when her 'elders' assigned her a 'major task.' ...Do you all think I'm that stupid? Why are you all trying to fleece me? That awful great-aunt? Get lost! A rags-to-riches story full of delightful surprises, with a very slow pace, set in a parallel fictional world. Nothing makes a darli 135Reads—Score—Shelves

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