Married First, Fall in Love Later: A Cool, Reserved Female Lead and a Steady Male Lead 先婚后爱，女主性子清冷，男主沉稳

1. 251 说 It Was Supposed to Be a Contract Marriage, So Why Did You Fall for Me? 说好的契约婚姻，为何你又动心 momocaModern Romance535k WordsCompleted [Resilient, Pure-Hearted College Student vs. Cunning, Ruthless Heir to a Criminal Family] [Ensemble Cast + 8-Year Age Gap + Fatherly Male Lead + Love Grows Over Time + Both Leads Are Chaste + Alpha Male Lead + Sizzling Chemistry + Flirtatious and Devoted Husband + Revenge + Business Warfare] Chen Jiayi is a college student who has just graduated and found a new romance. Just as her brand-new life is about to begin, she returns home from her graduation trip only to be told that, at her parents' c —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Although the male protagonist is ruthless, his relationship with the heroine is very sweet. Female college student Chen Jiayi, who had just graduated, had just found a new relationship, and was about to start a new life. She had just returned home from a graduation trip, but she was told that she would marry a man who was eight years older than her and three generations apart, as ordered by her parents. What a hellish joke is this! Although this man is handsome and steady, he always gives Chen Jiayi the feeling of being sinister. The man Chen Jiayi is going to marry, Pei Haoyong, is an illegitimate son from a mafia family. When he was ten years old, his mother suddenly disappeared. He was helpless when he was taken home by his father, but his father's wife sent him to Country A, one of the most chaotic and dangerous countries in the world, to fend for himself on the pretext of training. But with his own wisdom and force, he rose from the ashes and established a firm foothold in country A. His father recalled Pei Haoyong from abroad for the transformation of the underworld enterprise. After returning to China, he began to search for the secret of his mother's disappearance, and implemented a property battle and revenge plan that used violence to counter violence and outwitness. [Laughing awkwardly]

2. 252 偏 The Possessive CEO's Sweet and Alluring Wife 偏执陆总的娇妻，又甜又撩 Not What I Seek非所得Modern Romance974k WordsOngoing In her previous life, she mistook his obsessive affection for a twisted cage and tried with all her might to escape. It wasn't until Lu Tingxiao died taking a bullet for her that she finally came to her senses. He really did love her with all his heart. Reborn, she vowed to give him back all the love he had showered on her. She was cold and bold toward everyone else, but sweet and flirtatious with Lord Lu. Lord Lu, a top tycoon, was ruthless and unpredictable. After marriage, however, he doted o 80Reads9.3Score—Shelves
3. 253 迟 A Millennium Promise, Finally Kept 迟到的千年之约 Clear and Shallow, Clear and Shallow清清浅浅清清浅Modern Romance534k WordsCompleted A slow-paced story, perfect for listening. An age gap romance + a half-blood male supporting character He thought he was luring her into his trap, step by step, just to possess her for a while. Little did he know that he was the one being lured. One glance, a love that lasts a thousand years, and now he can never let her go! 13Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Smelling the familiar, cold aroma of Zhiqiu's body, Xie Lin's heart tightened, as if his breath was being held tight by something invisible. His fingertips trembled slightly, and he gently lifted her chin. His eyes lingered on her lips for a moment, then he lowered his head and kissed her.

4. 254 偷 Stealing a Kiss in the Moonlight 偷吻风月 Snow Chestnut Tea雪栗茶Modern Romance350k WordsCompleted [Both leads are inexperienced + long-planned scheme + marriage before love + sweet, flirtatious provocation + revenge] [Sweet-looking but secretly calculating femme fatale VS seemingly proper, refined scoundrel] After three years of a marriage of convenience, Shen Yansheng and Yu Jin part on good terms, having treated each other with courtesy. He simply couldn’t muster any interest in a beauty as dull as a block of wood. Then he ran into her at a bar. The Yu Jin he remembered as utterly unremark 10.2kReads9.4Score1.3kShelves

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   1. Worth reading more, the plot is unconventional, the female protagonist has been married for three years by agreement, the female protagonist hides her true side, the male protagonist does not let go during the divorce, and the misunderstanding is solved. The only person in his heart is him (her). 2. A high-level literary ceiling, a classic of marriage first, love later, a classic in my heart, highly recommended [Like]

5. 255 七 The Country Girl from the 1970s Travels to the Modern Era 七零土妞通现代 Sweet Potato Lover烤地瓜的瓜Modern Romance801k WordsCompleted [1970s + traveling back and forth to the modern era + marriage before love + both leads are virgins + feel-good power fantasy] As a village girl born and raised in the 1970s, Lü Caiwei took shelter from the rain in a mountain temple and transmigrated to a prosperous era. From then on, she began traveling back and forth every day between 1976 and 2023. The villagers said she had narrow hips and couldn’t bear sons, so no one would marry her. She promptly married a handsome young man who was blind, 46Reads7.5Score—Shelves

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   It is a light and funny period story. Although the heroine is a native of the 1970s, she has 800 ideas. She travels back and forth between 1976 and 2023 to make a fortune by reselling materials. There are few excellent ones. There is a blind male protagonist who marries first and then falls in love.

6. 256 绻 A Pale-Hued Morning 绻色清晨 Mingquan明圈Modern Romance200k WordsCompleted Currently being adapted for publication; a short drama of the same name has already been released A refined, self-controlled Beijing power player x a gentle, sweet-natured translator A touch of redemption + age gap + devoted, principled male lead + powerful Beijing family Xu Zhiyi first meets Li Tingfeng on New Year's Eve. She tentatively borrows the man's lighter, kindling the New Year fireworks that are hers alone in that lonely night. “Happy New Year, sir.” She meets Li Tingfeng again ami 11.1kReads9.2Score1.3kShelves
7. 257 离 After Our Divorce, the CEO Does Everything I Say 离婚后总裁大人对我言听计从 A Piao Yun Qing阿飘云清Modern Romance152k WordsOngoing [One-on-one, marriage before love + rekindled romance + all-out pursuit] A marriage of convenience gave Chen Anhao and Lu Guixing the most intimate title of “husband and wife.” Chen Anhao swallowed her feelings and, five years later, left after their divorce with her head held high. But Lu Guixing was the one who couldn’t let go. His cold, distant manner turned into clingy devotion, and he shamelessly did everything he could to win his wife back! One day, news suddenly broke that the CEO of the —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   This book is about marriage first, love later. You must read this book!! The male protagonist is calm and gentle, has a CEO temperament that is direct to outsiders, and is super nice to the female protagonist!! It's hard not to love the powerful combination of the CEO and the CEO's secretary!!

8. 258 婚 After Marriage, the Aloof Beauty Is Held by the Weary Tycoon, Who Kisses and Clings to Her 婚后清冷美人被厌世大佬搂腰缠吻 Cranes Part from Green Mountains鹤别青山Modern Romance216k WordsCompleted [Short drama now available] [Both Pure + Marriage First, Love Later + Secretly Planned for a Long Time + Sweet Everyday Romance] A devoted-to-his-wife young master × a cool, aloof finance department beauty Gu Zhiyan confidently believes that with Shen Nanyin's family background, she'll come crawling back to him sooner or later. Until he sees her get into the Lu family's exclusive luxury car with his own eyes. One night, Gu Zhiyan gets blackout drunk and pounds on the door, his eyes red as he beg 42.1kReads9.4Score5.3kShelves
9. 259 婚 A Marriage Beyond My Control: Mr. Lu Makes the First Move 婚不由己：陆先生先动心 Qie Lan且兰Modern Romance2.8M WordsCompleted [Arrogant, aloof CEO vs. clear-headed, gentle rose] A sweet, post-marriage romance (The heroine isn’t a fragile little flower, but she isn’t a domineering strong woman either. She’s clear-headed and independent, and romance isn’t her whole life. She has wonderful friendships and a job of her own.) An arranged marriage ties two strangers together. In both Lu Yanci and Jiang Yu’s eyes, the marriage is merely a business arrangement. They know each other to be strong-minded people with plans of thei 6.1kReads7.9Score534Shelves

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   This book is completely consistent! The male and female protagonists have a business marriage. They get married first and then fall in love. At first, they regard this marriage as a business transaction. Both the male and female protagonists have their mouths, which is super sweet!!!

10. 260 尤 The Temptress 尤物 Er Xi二喜Modern Romance1.6M WordsCompleted The print edition of The Enchantress will be released on March 25 at 8 p.m. (A devoted one-on-one romance, with both leads each other’s first and only.) Zhou Yi is notorious in their circle for being a shameless playboy. Everyone thinks he cares about pleasure, not feelings. That is, until a video leaks one day. In it, Zhou Yi looks like a devout believer, clasping a woman’s slender wrist in his hand. His eyes are filled with fervor and tenderness as he murmurs in a low, hoarse voice, “Jiang Yin 3.9kReads9.5Score865Shelves

    Reader note

    Stunner!!!! Absolutely absolutely, I don't allow anyone who hasn't watched Yingying and Tuesday!!

11. 261 先 Marriage Before Love: The Domineering CEO Starts Pursuing Me 先婚后爱：霸总他自我攻略了 Panpan Ya畔畔呀Modern Romance157k WordsCompleted [Married first, fall in love later + showbiz + sweet romance + a touch of angst] Gentle, level-headed heroine × proud, pampered CEO “Five million. Marry my son.” Who could say no to that? Su Jiahe agrees without hesitation. Committed to honoring the contract, she works diligently to win over the person she’s supposed to marry, hoping she can leave smoothly once the term is up. But has she maybe gone a little too far? For Cheng Jingxuan, who has always been cool and aloof, marriage is nothing mor 9Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Marriage first, love later, the female protagonist is gentle and rational, knows what she wants, the male protagonist is a gentleman, and will be sweetly pampered after the relationship is established.

12. 262 残 The Disabled Tycoon Was Told He Couldn't Have Children, but His Substitute Bride Had Two in Three Years 残疾大佬不孕，替嫁小妻三年抱俩 Qing Xiaoyaoyao晴小妖妖Modern Romance458k WordsCompleted To repay a debt of gratitude and exact revenge, Lu Zhiyao took on the identity of Xia Xinxue and was sent to the top-tier wealthy Mo family in Jiangcheng to bring good luck to Mo Jinghan, the Mo heir. What? Her husband was in a vegetative state? Great! The sooner her lucky husband kicked the bucket, the sooner she could inherit his billions. What could be better? She thought she'd live a happy life as a rich widow, with money to keep a handsome young man. But who could have guessed... On t 166Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The heroine marries instead, marry first and love later~

13. 263 先 Marriage Before Love: The Young Master’s Wife Is Not to Be Provoked 先婚后爱：大少奶奶不能惹 Chong Xiaobian虫小扁Historical151k WordsCompleted Yan Ning, a woman as mild as a wisp of smoke, actually showed up at the door demanding they marry!? They were betrothed as babies, how novel. Young Master Liu, Yun Tao, agreed. After the wedding, news that the young master planned to take a concubine spread through the entire Liu household in no time. Everyone knew, from Liu Yi right down to every goldfish in the manor, that the young master had flown into a rage at Qingxin Courtyard because Yan Ning couldn't bear him a child, and had threatened 5.5kReads9.4Score352Shelves
14. 264 雪 Xue Wutong 雪梧桐 Xun Bai荀柏710k WordsCompleted [Republican-era ensemble cast + love of country + two powerful leads + older man/younger woman + sweet romance + pursuit of love + powerful man bows his head + heartbreaking angst + bad ending] In the Republican era, Nanjing was home to two renowned romantics. I do not believe in Buddha, but I would kneel at every temple in Nanjing if only Heaven would give me back my wife. Zhou Qingshi, courtesy name Changyu, was the eldest son and eldest grandson of the Zhou family, and ninth in birth order. 378Reads8.6Score—Shelves

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    Here we come, let's all take a look

15. 265 惊 What?! The Max-Level Expert Is Being Forced into Marriage! 惊！满级大佬她被逼婚！ Su Ayao素阿瑶呀Modern Romance592k WordsCompleted New book, the rating just came out, and it has already been signed. [One-on-one romance, groveling pursuit, another world, magic, large age gap] This story has a little cathartic satisfaction, a mix of angst and sweetness, and a bit of comedy, but is mostly sweet. (The main characters are immortal, so you can ignore the age gap.) If you think some of the tags haven't shown up yet, please don't rush! The groveling pursuit and all the rest are coming. It's all in the outline! The male lead is a do 37Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Marriage first, love later, the heroine has never loved the hero, and plays tricks on every occasion, the hero is calm and has a love mind, and is a guiding lover, there is no secret love, Bai Yueguang is actually the heroine herself

16. 266 我 I Woke Up My Husband from His Vegetative State 我让植物人老公苏醒 Loves Bauhinia Flowers爱紫荆花Modern Romance286k WordsCompleted [Love after marriage + age gap + groveling pursuit + sweet romance + powerful man lowering his head] Su Tong is the Su family’s adopted daughter. Clever from a young age, she excelled in school and graduated from Harvard, becoming an outstanding neurosurgeon. The Su family’s biological daughter, Su Shishi, refuses to honor the betrothal arranged for her when she was young and marry Huo Yunzhou, a business magnate from Haicheng who has been in a vegetative state since a car accident. So her adop 2.3kReads8.0Score154Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are pretty good. The male and female protagonists, Marriage First, Love Later, A Billionaire CEO Becomes a Maniac Who Dotes on His Wife. The front is a bit sadistic, but the back is a bit sweet.

17. 267 那 Those Glamorous Years Were Like a Dream 那些年繁华如梦 Thunderbolt on the Mountain Peak云巅惊雷Modern Romance654k WordsCompleted In a time of chaos, defending the six provinces north of the Yangtze is his ambition. Roaming freely across the land is her dream. Who could have guessed that a marriage contract would bind them together? He says, “I have no interest in love. A man is born to defend his homeland, even if he dies wrapped in his armor.” She says, “I can choose not to marry, but I will never accept a marriage arranged without my consent. No one gets to trample on my marriage...” To break off the engagement, she tra 514Reads9.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book is very interesting. The heroine is not cold-tempered but has the demeanor of a lady. The male protagonist is calm. In the second book, the female protagonist has a cold temperament, but the male protagonist is not very calm.

18. 268 我 My Happiness Is in Your Hands 我的幸福，在你手里 The Sensitive-Skin Toast Lover爱吃吐司的敏感肌Modern Romance431k WordsCompleted Over the course of Su Xin's twenty-nine years, for nineteen of them the only men in her life were her father and brother, apart from Lin Lei, who wasn't related to her by blood. She thought she would spend her life with her childhood sweetheart. But when she was dealt the devastating blow of learning she might not be her parents' biological child, her childhood sweetheart became the final straw... It took her ten years to gather the courage to return to the place that had once loved her, and tha 1.7kReads8.8Score143Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is beautiful! Don't be misled by the ratings, it's worth reading⊙∀⊙!

19. 269 爵 The Earl Went to Propose Again Today 爵爷今天又去求婚了 Su Xingchen苏星辰Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance + Play the Pig to Eat the Tiger + Face-Slapping and Punishing Scumbags] A scheme brought her and the Qin family’s fool together in bed. She became a laughingstock among high society, and both of them were kicked out of their homes. Feeling sorry for the fool, she took him home. “From now on, I’ll take care of you!” she declared. But a month later, the fool disappeared, and she lost her heart along with him. Two years later, billions in assets suddenly appeared under her name. A ma 379Reads8.9Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    Marry first, love later

20. 270 甜 So Sweet! The Heiress Is a Bewitching Charmer in Mr. Wen’s Arms 甜爆！大小姐在温总怀里百媚千娇 Sui Yi穗宜Modern Romance358k WordsCompleted [Devoted couple, sweet romance, one-on-one, married first then fell in love, not a strong heroine, fictional setting] Wen Jingru loved Ling Xihe down to his bones. He was afraid his unhealthy need to control her would scare the young woman away, so he had always kept it in check. He never expected her to come to him one day and make a haughty proposal: “Mr. Wen, let’s get married.” * Ling Xihe, the heiress of Tiansheng Entertainment, was dazzling and flamboyant, with breathtaking beauty. Yet she 656Reads9.2Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Recommended star rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

21. 271 没 No Time to Turn Evil: The Villain Is Busy Sweet-Talking His Adorable Wife 没空黑化了，反派忙着甜哄小娇妻 Chu Xuan'er, Strong as an Ox力大无穷的楚萱儿Modern Romance534k WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance, Flirty Chemistry, Utterly Satisfying!] Su Mo transmigrates into a book, becoming a cannon-fodder supporting female character destined to die young. What? She just got here and already hit the female lead? Then what’s the point of playing along? Who knew she’d turn around and cling tightly to the villain’s powerful leg instead? The villain isn’t interested in women? No problem. She’s not the sentimental type anyway. As long as the money’s right, that’s all that matters! Someone 4.1kReads9.2Score464Shelves

    Reader note

    The first and third books are about marriage first and love later. In the second book, the male protagonist has a calm personality.

22. 272 重 Reborn in the 1990s: The Lucky Carp Doctor Charms Her Husband 重生九零，锦鲤医妻撩夫上瘾 Madam Tang Is a Little Sweet唐夫人有点甜Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted In her previous life, Su Qingyu was blind to the truth and foolish in matters of the heart. Misled by the woman she thought was her best friend, she did nothing but beat and berate Gu Zhenming, who had become lame because of her. In the end, she abandoned her husband and daughter and left for another land. She never imagined that, as she lay dying, the only person by her side would be the husband she had despised and abandoned. Su Qingyu was consumed by regret. When she opened her eyes again, sh 839Reads9.0Score108Shelves
23. 273 新 After the Wedding, I Make Waves in the Heart of a Trillionaire CEO Every Day 新婚后，天天在千亿总裁心尖撒野 Le Miaomiao乐淼淼Modern Romance620k WordsCompleted [Powerful CEO and streamer, pregnancy + whirlwind marriage + no melodrama + extra sweet] Song Keke has tens of millions of followers, a beautiful face, and a sweet voice. Known as the “Queen of Gaming,” she gets drunk and sleeps with Yan Ze, a trillion-yuan CEO, planning to get dressed and pretend it never happened. Forty-five days later, she throws up during a live broadcast of an awards ceremony, and the trillion-yuan CEO rushes out that very night to track her down. The normal plot would have 5.4kReads9.1Score694Shelves
24. 274 你 You’re the One I’ve Kept Buried Deep in My Heart 你是我压在心底的那个人 Rain Falls on an Empty City雨落空城Modern Romance265k WordsCompleted A perfectly matched battle of love. She is an independent, top-tier floral designer, while he is a devoted CEO hiding a loyal heart beneath a wolfish exterior. One thinks the falling flower has no intentions, the other believes the flowing stream has no feelings. A chaotic fake marriage, however, brings together two people who always clash the moment they meet. She stares at him in disbelief. “You like me?” He lowers his eyes with a quiet laugh, but his voice is utterly firm. “I do.” He loves yo 31Reads8.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Childhood sweethearts marry first and fall in love later! The female protagonist has a good outlook on life, but the male protagonist is a bit of a scumbag, but later on he becomes really good and is not afraid of heights or even death for the sake of the female protagonist!

25. 275 玫 Entwined in Roses 玫瑰缠诱 Grilled Fish That Never Gets Burnt不糊的烤鱼Modern Romance154k WordsCompleted [Devoted only to each other + secret crush on the heroine + elite family + Marriage Before Love] Shen Tingsi was naturally aloof. People in his circle said it was all just an act, and that he was wild in private. Before marrying him, Ming Qingyan thought he was the kind of man who always had women around. After they married, she discovered that he went to work and then came straight home every day, and even let her know when he traveled for work. There was just one problem: he didn't like her. 377Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a pretty good read in the marriage first, love later genre, but the heroine has a crush on the hero at the beginning, so it's also a story about secret love and a little bit of redemption (personal opinion).

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