Looking for Ancient-Era Romance: The More Heartbreaking, the Better!! 求古言，虐，超级虐的哪种！！

1. 1 锁 Locking Tang in as Empress 锁棠为后 Rain Guest of Startling Beauty惊鸿雨客Ancient Romance518k WordsCompleted On the third day after Yan fell, Princess Lu Tang knelt before her father's spirit tablet in mourning clothes, weeping until she could barely stand. Footsteps sounded behind her. It was the boy who had once been held hostage in Yan for three years, now the Emperor of Qin, Shen Mo. He crouched down and brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “Five years ago, when you were fourteen, I watched you dance. I've never forgotten it.” He took her by the wrist and pulled her away from the spirit tablet 2kReads8.6Score101Shelves

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   "The Empress's Lock" depicts a heart-wrenching tale of national and personal vendettas, and the desperate struggle of a princess from a fallen kingdom. Lu Tang, once the legitimate princess of Yan, is reduced to empress of an enemy state. Her father and brothers are brutally murdered, her dignity shattered, she is imprisoned in the palace, forced to bear a child, yet she never gives up her fight. Her life is an epic of blood and tears, a tragic love story where every struggle is crushed, every hope turns to despair. If you feel compassion for those indomitable souls in turbulent times, this work will surely move you to tears. You can check it out now.

2. 2 落 [Falling Blossoms Know My Heart] 【落花知我意】 LycheeMQ荔枝MQAncient Romance73k WordsCompleted [Devoted Prince x Noblewoman] [Historical Romance Tragedy | Childhood Sweethearts, Bad Ending | Court Intrigue and Palace Schemes] Princess Jialing Shen Wan is the cherished jewel of the Shen family. As children, they caught fish together on spring days and gathered around the stove to boil snow on winter nights. Within the palace walls, she and Song Jinghan vowed to spend their lives together. But then the winds of fate shifted. Her cousin, who had returned after years away, stirred up trouble 78Reads—Score—Shelves

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   It's so heartbreaking and leaves me feeling so sad.

3. 3 梨 Pear Blossoms Fall over Yunzhou 梨落云洲 LycheeMQ荔枝MQAncient Romance30k WordsCompleted [Young General ✖️ Gentle Heiress] [Bad ending ➕ Devoted unto death ➕ Tragic romance] “If I cannot live by your side, then I am willing to follow you to the underworld.” Wen Lichu, the legitimate daughter of the prime minister’s household in the Great Zhou Dynasty, was gentle, well-mannered, and blessed with both talent and beauty. At a spring banquet, she caught a fleeting glimpse of the young general Xu Yunzhou. He rode in splendid finery, while she stood like a pear blossom against the snow. A 65Reads—Score—Shelves
4. 4 穿 Three Years After I Transmigrated, the City Lord Became My Prisoner 穿越3年后，城主成我阶下囚 Ziyushi紫语石Ancient Romance812k WordsCompleted Content warning: This is a revenge story with a tragic romance. The male lead seeks redemption. It includes injury, imprisonment, and whipping, so proceed with caution. The leads are bitter enemies bound by fate, in both this life and their past lives. Angst and heartbreak, both leads are strong and devoted to each other, happy ending Proud, aloof Emperor Star VS revenge-driven Seven Killings queen In her first life, Yun Shuyue fell blindly in love with Huo Chenfeng. Little did she know the ma 1.1kReads8.1Score103Shelves

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   The male lead suffers almost the entire time! Especially after chapter 28, his character becomes incredibly strong and tragic. After the female lead dies, he falls in love with her! The female lead transmigrates for revenge, getting involved in the scheme herself, her goal being to make the male lead follow in her footsteps and take everything from him. The female lead's revelation around chapter 247 is incredibly satisfying! The male lead knows the female lead's intentions from the beginning and is completely willing to comply.

5. 5 深 Layers of Resentment in the Deep Palace 深宫怨几重 Shangguan Xuan'er上官轩儿Ancient Romance152k WordsCompleted In this mortal world, in the imperial palace, in the mansions of the wealthy, how much love has gone unreturned and turned into bone-deep hatred? The tangled passions and heartbreak of so many men and women have all vanished into the mists of history. 818Reads—Score101Shelves

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   For ten years, the Empress served as a substitute for the Emperor's unrequited love, eliminating his rivals. Only when the Emperor returned to the palace did she discover that the Emperor himself had forced her to swallow an abortifacient to carry his unborn child to term—and the Regent knelt before her, offering her a knife: "Kill him, or kill me." (12)

6. 6 狼 Bella of the Wolf Clan 狼族贝拉 Shangguan Xuan'er上官轩儿12k WordsCompleted Bella of the Wolf Clan 25Reads—Score—Shelves

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   For ten years, the Empress served as a substitute for the Emperor's unrequited love, eliminating his rivals. Only when the Emperor returned to the palace did she discover that the Emperor himself had forced her to swallow an abortifacient to carry his unborn child to term—and the Regent knelt before her, offering her a knife: "Kill him, or kill me." (14)

7. 7 亡 A Fallen Kingdom's Princess and an Enemy Prince: Sweet and Heartbreaking 亡国公主和敌国皇子又甜又虐 May All Your Wishes Come True愿你所愿Ancient Romance202k WordsCompleted [Sweet and Angsty + BE Ending] When they first met, his army was at her gates, and her country had fallen. Her mother, the empress, leapt from the city wall and gave her life for her country before her eyes. Her final words were a plea for her daughter to live, for the sake of their people. As a princess of a fallen kingdom, she arrives in a foreign land and is granted in marriage as the consort of the man who destroyed her country. It was all part of her plan. He destroyed her kingdom, so she w 158Reads—Score—Shelves
8. 8 雪 Prisoner of the Snowfall Palace 雪烬宫囚 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Ancient Romance939k WordsCompleted [Historical Fantasy] [Romance] [Revenge] [Angst] [Plot Twists] [Redemption] [Mutual Firsts] [Happy Ending] I am the most beloved Ninth Princess of Liang. The day the capital fell, my father, who had doted on me beyond measure, shoved me off the Star-Viewing Tower, hoping to trade my life for his own escape. Qin Yi, the rebel leader, caught me below. Emotions I couldn't understand surged in his bloodshot eyes. "Tell me, who threw you down?" I fainted in his arms, which reeked of blood. The man be 4.7kReads6.4Score297Shelves

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   The first few are all ancient Chinese romance novels with angst; the first one is a must-read [Note].

9. 9 他 He Slaughtered My Entire Family, So I Stabbed Him Through the Heart 他屠戮我满门，我给他穿心一剑 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫37k WordsCompleted He Slaughtered My Entire Family, So I Stabbed Him Through the Heart 620Reads—Score—Shelves
10. 10 九 Nine Lifetimes of Reincarnation, A Love Begun and Lost 九世轮回，缘起缘灭 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫11k WordsCompleted Nine Lifetimes of Reincarnation, Fate Begins and Ends 590Reads—Score—Shelves
11. 11 囚 Kept as a Fox Concubine, I Ran Away 囚狐为妾，我直接逃了 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Ancient Romance40k WordsCompleted I Was Kept as a Fox Concubine, So I Ran Away 369Reads—Score—Shelves
12. 12 宠 He Doted on His Concubine and Neglected His Wife, So I Divorced the General 宠妾灭妻，我把将军给休了 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫26k WordsCompleted He Dotes on His Concubine and Neglects His Wife, So I Divorced the General 540Reads—Score—Shelves
13. 13 暗 An Assassin’s Love and Revenge, Beyond Romance 暗卫情仇，无关风月 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Ancient Romance38k WordsCompleted A Dark Guard's Love and Grudge, Beyond Romance 127Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 14 碎 Shatter the Inverted Qilin 碎逆麟 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Ancient Romance20k WordsCompleted Shattered Reversed Scale 192Reads—Score—Shelves
15. 15 断 A Grudge Written in Broken Bones 断骨之怨 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Ancient Romance48k WordsCompleted A Grudge Carved in Broken Bones 811Reads—Score—Shelves
16. 16 飞 The Canary That Flew Away 飞走的金丝雀 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫18k WordsCompleted The Canary That Flew Away 135Reads—Score—Shelves
17. 17 背 The Price of Betrayal 背刺的代价 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Marriage & Romance66k WordsCompleted The Price of Betrayal 51Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 18 他 He Said I Was Too Loud, So I Fell Completely Silent 他嫌我太吵，我彻底安静了 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫12k WordsCompleted He Said I Was Too Noisy, So I Went Completely Quiet 56Reads—Score—Shelves
19. 19 剑 Sword Dance for the Demon-Subduing Consort 剑舞镇妖妃 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Ancient Romance8k WordsCompleted The Sword-Dancing Demon Queen 24Reads—Score—Shelves
20. 20 出 The Day After I Returned from a Business Trip, My Mom Killed Herself 出差回来第二天，我妈自杀了 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫21k WordsCompleted The Day After I Got Back from a Business Trip, My Mom Took Her Own Life 35Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 21 以 Sealed in Death 以死封缄 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫6k WordsCompleted Sealed in Death 5Reads—Score—Shelves
22. 22 终 In the End, She Married Someone Else 终嫁他人 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫10k WordsCompleted In the End, She Married Someone Else 81Reads—Score—Shelves
23. 23 第 The Seventh Artifact 第七件藏品 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫20k WordsCompleted The Seventh Artifact 18Reads—Score—Shelves
24. 24 魂 Lost in a Trance 魂不守舍 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫Mystery19k WordsCompleted Distraught 26Reads—Score—Shelves
25. 25 他 He Loves Me, Yet He Married Her 他爱我，却娶了她 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫10k WordsCompleted He Loves Me, Yet He Married Her 22Reads—Score—Shelves
26. 26 遗 Behind the Will 遗嘱背后 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫18k WordsCompleted What Lies Behind the Will 9Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 27 不 I Don't Want Your Love, Just Your Life 不要你的爱，只要你的命 Eighteen Is My Cat十八是我的猫16k WordsCompleted I Don’t Want Your Love, Just Your Life 47Reads—Score—Shelves
28. 28 少 The Captive Boy 少年囚 Pingjian Yue蘋见月Ancient Romance428k WordsCompleted [An inspiring comeback + multiple male leads] [Clear-headed, independent heroine] [✍No matter how the story ends, every male lead will get an extra chapter.] This is the road to freedom for a covert guard. One story, many kinds of love and hate. Here you’ll find an [assassin heroine] who... ❤️Loves and fights with a scheming prince❤️ ❤️Is loyally watched over by a warmhearted colleague❤️ ❤️Matches wits with an unorthodox director❤️ ❤️She runs, he chases, and neither can escape❤️ At first, the he 253Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Guaranteed to be angsty, or else come and hit me! The female lead is a bodyguard.

29. 29 烬 Ashen Bones, Passionate Embrace 烬骨合欢 Yu Yuan钰芫Ancient Romance150k WordsCompleted I still remember the years when we were children, laughing and talking without end, close as we played in the courtyard with its swings. We shared sour plums, and leaned together by the pine-framed window through many a spring. Now each of us has grown old in a different corner of the world, yet still searches for warmth on the page. Sometimes I turn to the verses on red leaves, and we look at each other, recalling old tearstains. The first ten years of Jiang Wanqing’s life were blissfully happy 205Reads—Score—Shelves

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    She tried to get up to see him one last time, but excruciating pain spread through her limbs and bones. The more she struggled, the faster the pain spread. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, her breathing gradually weakened, and the sounds around her became unclear.

30. 30 权 The Game of Power 权栖戏 I'm Duoduo我是朵朵吖Ancient Romance126k WordsCompleted [Political Intrigue ✖️ Spycraft ✖️ Forced Love] [Scheming Against Each Other ✖️ Saving Each Other] The world is unpredictable, and fate can change in an instant. Yan Lepei, the daughter of Yancheng’s lord, is forced to conceal her identity and infiltrate the Quanqi Pavilion as a spy. Shao Quan, master of the Quanqi Hall, is calculating, powerful, and scornful of all things. Yet he cannot help falling in love with his own pawn. Shao Quan: “She is the most capable weapon in my hand, and the person 32Reads—Score—Shelves

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    This is so heart-wrenching!! Everyone come and see! 😢😢

31. 31 易 Yi Xun Is Hard to Find 易洵难寻 I'm Duoduo我是朵朵吖Ancient Romance99k WordsCompleted Love is like a mountain spring, its gentle current winding all the way to Jiangnan. [Though I know your heart is true, I cannot find you. I hope you will turn back again and ease this longing of mine.] Qi Wan, an illegitimate daughter of the Qi family in Jiangnan, has been overlooked since childhood. She has no interest in business and only wants to live out her life in peace and freedom. Then Yi Xun appears and changes everything. He teaches Qi Wan the ways of business and stays by her side day 42Reads—Score—Shelves
32. 32 月 A Moonlit Wish 月明愿 I'm Duoduo我是朵朵吖Ancient Romance108k WordsCompleted [Tragic historical romance with a bad ending, slow start and strong payoff] [Those who love each other may not end up together, and those who do may not truly love each other] [In this world, perhaps the hardest things to obtain are not money and power] [The hardest thing to find is a heart that never changes] Preface: A thousand years ago, the realm was divided in two. The Celestial Dynasty and the Southern Wu Dynasty each claimed half the territory. Fearing the military might of Southern Wu, 146Reads—Score—Shelves
33. 33 官 The Story of Guan Xi 官禧传 I'm Duoduo我是朵朵吖Ancient Romance131k WordsCompleted [Court intrigue + love and hate intertwined + sweet yet angsty romance] The long-awaited wedding she had looked forward to with all her heart turned out to be a trap set long ago by the man she loved. Overnight, her entire family was slaughtered. For Guan Xi, it was a devastating blow. The love that had seemed so pure was, it turned out, full of lies and deception. Sometimes I wonder if these words can truly tell the whole story of Guan Xi’s life. There is a quiet resilience about Guan Xi. She l 97Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 34 杏 When Spring Deepens After the Apricot Blossoms Set Fruit 杏花结子春深后 Still Remembering Sky-Blue Porcelain犹忆天青瓷Ancient Romance276k WordsCompleted She is a lowly convict slave in the palace laundry, humble as dust. He is the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, noble and radiant. Though their stations could hardly be further apart, they fall hopelessly in love. Only when their feelings are at their deepest does she unexpectedly learn that his father, the emperor, had her father framed so he could claim her mother for himself. Where can this ill-fated romance spanning two generations possibly lead? ----- A prince steals his minister’s wife + 997Reads—Score107Shelves

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    It's incredibly heart-wrenching; the male and female leads struggle their entire lives, yet it still ends in a tragic ending, which is truly painful. I cried buckets, feeling so unsatisfied and unwilling to accept it, unable to move on for a long time! The second male lead is also very devoted, making the love triangle incredibly captivating. I love the author's subtle Chinese-style writing and melancholic tone.

35. 35 勾 The Courtesan Consort: The Prince's Precious Snow 勾栏罪妃，她是王爷掌中雪 Xue LiL雪里LAncient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted ❗️❗️ [The Long Road to Winning Her Back] In this life, the one thing he never did was tell her, “I love you.” She was snow in the palm of his hand: the moment he had her, he lost her. 🔥 [The Memory-Devouring Twin Gu: One Swallows the Past, the Other Buries the Rest of Your Life] It all began with a conspiracy! He was the emperor’s younger brother, the only prince of the direct imperial line. He was deeply in love with the current empress, his sister-in-law. Overnight, she became the daughter of 232Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The tragic ending has a strong aftertaste! 😢😢 It's a story that tortures the male protagonist while disguised as a story about torturing the female protagonist! [Already hooked][Already hooked]

36. 36 惊 A Stunning Figure Appears in the Inkstone 惊鸿入砚来 Late Branches at Dawn杳杳枝晚Ancient Romance336k WordsCompleted *The comic adaptation of the same name, “Jinghong Enters the Inkstone,” is now available [The beloved little terror of the General’s Manor vs. the cool, gentle Seventh Prince] (Childhood sweethearts, older man, sweet at first then angsty, one-on-one romance, multiple perspectives) When they were childhood sweethearts, he promised her they would be together for life, each the other’s one and only. She believed him. With joy in her heart, she donned her wedding robes and married him. But on the da 2.5kReads8.1Score170Shelves

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    Sweet at first, then heartbreaking, tragic ending, so sad.

37. 37 嫁 After She Married, the Mad Emperor Seized Her by Force 嫁人后，被疯批皇帝强取豪夺了 A Penguin Who Has to Write Every Day每天都要码字的企鹅Ancient Romance320k WordsCompleted [Coercive Possession + Later Revenge on the Scoundrels + Obsessive, Unhinged Hero + Groveling Chase + No Reconciliation + Second Male Lead Wins] Chu Huaiyu personally offered Lu Zhaoxue to the Crown Prince, using her as bait to frame Chu Siheng. After ascending the throne, Chu Huaiyu imprisoned Lu Zhaoxue deep in the palace, using his favor as a pair of shackles. Night after night, they were entangled in the palace. Biting her earlobe, Chu Huaiyu whispered, “Zhaoxue, do you hate me? Hate me if y 13kReads8.1Score609Shelves

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    This book is super good! The male lead goes through a "wife-chasing-after-the-crime" scenario, first torturing the woman and then torturing the man.

38. 38 王 My Lord, the Princess Consort Says She’ll Never See You Again 王爷，王妃说此生不复相见 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance421k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance Tragedy + No Getting Back Together + Second Male Lead Takes the Lead] A tragic romance! A tragic romance! A tragic romance! Ye Chuyan loved Pei Xiuyan for twelve years, but never moved him in the slightest. All she got in return was Pei Xiuyan wiping out the Ye family and having her father and brothers tortured to death over three days in the snow. At last, she understood: for the rest of her life, there would be no love between her and Pei Xiuyan, only hatred, until one o 27.1kReads9.3Score1.7kShelves

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    It was utterly cruel. Twelve years of love failed to move him in the slightest, only resulting in the massacre of his entire family. From that moment on, she understood that there was no love between them, only hatred, the kind that would fight to the death.

39. 39 更 After I Changed Targets, the Cool and Collected Chief Secretary Turned Dark 更换攻略对象后，清冷首辅黑化了 Hidden for a Month藏一月Ancient Romance378k WordsCompleted [Dark Pursuit After Betrayal + No Getting Back Together + Rivalry Between Men for the Heroine + Second Male Lead Wins] Thirty days remained on the conquest countdown when Shen Lanyin decided to replace her with the real heiress as his betrothed. Unwilling to be erased, she drugged Shen Lanyin. At the height of their passion, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Lanyin, you’ll marry me, won’t you?” He said nothing. She settled for less. “Would you take Zhu Yue as your second wife?” Shen Lanyin’ 11.7kReads8.8Score857Shelves

    Reader note

    The countdown to the romance begins. The male lead changes his fiancée to the real heiress. To avoid being erased by the system, she gives him a drug. At the height of their passion, she asks, "Lan Yin, you'll marry me, right?" He remains silent. She then offers a second choice, "How about Zhu Yue as my secondary wife?" But the male lead turns away coldly. The female lead cries and begs, "I'll die..." He thinks it's just a performance for jealousy and to gain status, unaware that she will truly suffer the system's punishment—death. Faced with a choice between two options, she will always be the one left behind. Even a devoted admirer who confesses his love every day and gives so much gets tired, so she gives up on him. The male lead is devastated, regretting his actions and facing a desperate attempt to win her back. After a long separation, they are reborn. The romance continues with a twist, a heart-wrenching story, and the devoted and gentle second male lead finally wins.

40. 40 他 By the Time He Kissed Me, I Was Already Cold 他吻我时，我已冰冷 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀Ancient Romance9k WordsCompleted He kissed me when I was already cold. 221Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's extremely heart-wrenching.

41. 41 两 Two Critical Condition Notices, One Boat Ticket, and an Elopement with No Tomorrow! 两张病危通知书，一张船票，和一场没有明天的私奔！ A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀9k WordsCompleted Two critical condition notices, one boat ticket, and an elopement with no tomorrow! 703Reads—Score—Shelves
42. 42 废 Wasteland Reboot: Paradise Restoration System! 废土重启：乐园修复系统！ A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀Sci-Fi & Apocalypse175k WordsCompleted Worldbuilding: In 2077, the Great Annihilation disaster erupted (nuclear war + a genetic virus leak), turning the surface into a wasteland. Cities collapsed into jungles of steel and concrete, radioactive dust blanketed the land, and mutated creatures (sand locust beasts, iron-shell rats) took over the ruins. Humanity retreated to underground shelters or formed armed settlements. Only fragments of the old world's civilization remained (rusted amusement park rides, faded fairy-tale murals, defunc —Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 43 核 Nuclear Weapon Skill 核武技能 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀Eastern Fantasy125k WordsCompleted A modern nuclear physicist transmigrates to a world of immortals and cultivators, awakening a unique nuclear martial physique. He turns concepts such as nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and radiation into cultivation abilities, using the “Nuclear Path” to smash his way through the road to immortality in a world where immortals and demons vie for supremacy. Nuclear Weapons Analysis System: Bound to the protagonist after his transmigration, it can analyze cultivation techniques, immortal material 1Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 44 重 Reborn in Senior Year, the School Hunk Has My Back 重生高三，校草为我撑腰 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀15k WordsCompleted Reborn in My Senior Year of High School, the School Heartthrob Has My Back 15Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 45 神 Divine-Grade 神品 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀Eastern Fantasy691k WordsCompleted Three Law Secret Realms have appeared in the underground city of the East Sea, sparking a fierce scramble among countless factions. The reason is that the protagonist possesses the divine ability to make his words come true! He can complete alchemy and artifact crafting with just a thought. And since he also has an immortal artifact, he joins the competition for the secret realms! 384Reads—Score—Shelves
46. 46 雪 Snow Festival! 雪祭！ A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀Ancient Romance7k WordsCompleted Snow Festival! 104Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 47 药 Bitter Medicine, Deep Love 药苦情深 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀Ancient Romance7k WordsCompleted Bitter Medicine, Deep Affection 34Reads—Score—Shelves
48. 48 林 Lin Ayue and the Light 林阿月与光 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀7k WordsCompleted Lin Ayue and the Light 6Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 49 我 I’m His Third Substitute 我是他的第三个替身 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀9k WordsCompleted I’m His Third Replacement 112Reads—Score—Shelves
50. 50 他 He Traded Heart for Heart 他以心换心 A Single Spirit Shines Alone一灵独耀7k WordsCompleted He Repays Heart with Heart 715Reads—Score—Shelves

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