High-IQ Plots with Tightly Interwoven Twists, Any Genre 高智商，环环相扣，不限题材

1. 1 南 South Branches Toward Dusk, The Regent Has Been Plotting This for Ages 南枝向晚，摄政王他蓄谋已久 Doudou from Zhongyue Province中月省的逗逗Ancient Romance726k WordsCompleted [Just received a rating] Complete ◎ [Revenge after being reborn + mastery of medicine and poison + powerful leads who cherish each other + everyone’s a schemer + palace intrigue and political machinations] Important: No stupid villains. Everyone has eight hundred tricks up their sleeve, and the battle of wits is at its peak! In her previous life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s family, was blind to the truth. She used a forbidden technique to save a scumbag man, dr 22.6kReads8.8Score2.6kShelves

   Reader note

   Highly recommended! The political intrigue is absolutely breathtaking! [Rebirth and Revenge + Healing and Poisoning Mastery + Two Strong, Mutual Pampering + Everyone's Clever and cunning + Palace Intrigue] **Highlight:** No villains with low intelligence; everyone is incredibly cunning, a peak battle of wits! In her past life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, went blind and used forbidden techniques to save her scumbag husband, exhausting her life force. In return, she witnessed him secretly having an affair with her scheming cousin, leading to the tragic deaths of her entire family! Reborn, she holds silver needles, returning to the day she used poison to prolong her husband's life. Facing his expectant gaze and her cousin's feigned tears, Shen Nanzhi coldly withdrew her needles: "I won't cure the poison. Since my cousin is so deeply in love, why don't you bleed her flesh?" In this life, she tears off the disguise, possessing unparalleled healing and poisoning skills, able to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded! Xiao Duo, the Regent of Dayuan, a powerful and influential ruler, suffers greatly from a rare poison. Shen Nanzhi tossed down the antidote, her voice cold and arrogant: "I will extend Your Highness's life. Lend me your blade to slaughter all the demons and monsters, how about it?" The world believed the Duke's daughter was merely a delicate canary in the palm of a living Yama. Only when powerful officials took center stage, and deadly schemes unfolded one after another, did everyone realize with horror—the seemingly fragile Shen Nanzhi was actually a master strategist, a female Zhuge Liang who held the reins of power and calculated every move! She and he entrusted their lives to each other, slaying gods and demons alike, manipulating the entire court with ease! When the bloody path was cleaved through, the world was at peace. The ruthless regent, who struck fear into the hearts of all under heaven, shed his menacing aura and held her tightly in his arms, his voice low and hoarse with madness: "Zhizhi, the realm is settled. This vast and beautiful land is my dowry; when will you finally give me a title?!" —A ruthless and decisive medical and poison queen × A crazed regent who bows down to her; together, they join forces to slaughter all demons and monsters!

2. 2 公 Turning the Tables in the Civil Service Exam: Climbing the Ladder from the Interview Onward 公考逆袭：从面试开始一路攀登 Yuanming Xiaoyang元明小阳Urban3.3M WordsOngoing People's affections are as thin as paper, and the world changes like a new chess game with every turn. Li Xiuyuan starts at the grassroots level, driven by a desire to get ahead. He takes one steady step after another, climbing higher with every move! 746.8kReads9.2Score60.3kShelves

   Reader note

   Immersed in books for ten years, accumulating over 3000 hours of reading! 📚 No genre bias, enjoys both male and female readers. Every book I put on my shelf is a high-quality masterpiece, carefully selected! Follow with confidence and you won't be disappointed. If you don't like it, feel free to come back and "settle the score" with me!

3. 3 重 Reborn in 1993: Dark Sea 重生1993，暗海 The Gods Want to Go Wild神想出去浪Urban1.9M WordsCompleted The physical edition of Wrathful Sea, Calm the Abyss is now available. Presales officially begin at 19:00 on October 11. [Reborn] [Mystery] [Undercover Agent] [Revenge] [Anti-Drug Operations] [Counterespionage] The golden finger is extremely weak, and he relies on his own abilities. This is a battle of wits between highly intelligent opponents, so you need to keep your brain switched on. There is no showing off and face-slapping! Ideal for veteran readers. If you understand it, you'll find it ve 259.2kReads9.6Score30.9kShelves

   Reader note

   The subject matter is amazing, the plot twists and turns constantly, there's nothing to complain about, it's perfect! The author's writing is sharp, the perspective is close to reality, making you feel like you're there, a world of humor and satire... There are tear-jerking moments, it's inspiring, read with confidence!

4. 4 乱 After Fleeing the Chaotic Era, I Became the Founding Empress 乱世逃亡后，我成了开国女帝 Nan Wanxu南婉徐Ancient Romance4.1M WordsCompleted [Publication rights signed] [Strong heroine + political intrigue + turbulent times + power struggles + ensemble cast] She’s fleeing from the start, a female warlord in a chaotic age. Lin Zhihuang, originally named Lin Zhihuan, transmigrates as a county magistrate’s daughter, only to find tens of thousands of refugees attacking the city from the start! While others transmigrate into palace or household intrigue, she transmigrates straight into a chaotic age and a desperate flight from famine. The 95.8kReads9.4Score13.2kShelves
5. 5 伏 Ambush 伏杀 Mo Bai1莫白1Historical1.4M WordsCompleted [Original title: Ambush] Beneath the awe-inspiring might of Heaven, all living beings are mere ants. And yet he dares, with the strength of an insect, to turn the world upside down. For family, for friends, for the burning hatred in his heart, for the nightmares that haunt him year after year, for justice, and for fairness. This story is set in an imaginary world and has no connection to actual history. Everything in it is fictional. Any similarities are purely coincidental. 14.8kReads8.3Score931Shelves

   Reader note

   I've found a high-quality political intrigue novel. It doesn't feature time travel or dimensional reduction attacks; it focuses on the power struggles between various parties, and the writing is delicate and thought-provoking.

6. 6 恶 Evil Bones 2: The Ashen Mystery 恶骨2：灰烬谜踪 Liu Gang刘港Mystery102k WordsCompleted [Criminal Investigation + Criminal Psychology + Hard-Core Deduction + Genius Detective + Serial Murders + Fighting Side by Side + Ensemble Cast] The dead can speak, and clues never lie! Thirty years ago, a shooting sent shockwaves through the entire town. A man and a woman died on the spot, while the killer remained at large. Years later, another case brought the true culprit behind the cold case to light! At the same time, a young girl vanished under mysterious circumstances, and every suspect 3.2kReads9.3Score716Shelves

   Reader note

   This book! I can only say that everyone who's read it raves about it; a must-read for suspense fans! It's a bit challenging, so I suggest not reading it without thinking—otherwise you might miss some information. It's mind-bending, hardcore, and full of twists and turns! I love it so much!

7. 7 恶 Evil Bones 4: Partners in Crime and Love 恶骨4：罪爱同谋 Liu Gang刘港Mystery134k WordsCompleted [Mind-Bending Mystery + Case-of-the-Week Stories + Crime + Criminal Investigation + Stunning Twists + Fighting Side by Side] A shadowy hand controls a deadly game. Out on the sea, a white suitcase drifts slowly across the water. When it's opened, it reveals the bloated, headless corpse of a woman! Is the butterfly tattoo on the body a clue to the victim's identity, or a warning from the killer? A blood-soaked coffin appears on a stormy night, its oozing blood horrifying against the darkness! The 1.3kReads9.3Score482Shelves
8. 8 风 A Bizarre Tale of Feng Shui! 风水奇谭！ Chen Jiu辰九Urban555k WordsCompleted Chen Yan, a top student at a 985 university, suffered a devastating blow at just twenty-two: His roommate set him up and framed him, driving him into a dead end; His girlfriend of three years cheated on him; his father was hospitalized with a serious illness, and he couldn't even scrape together the 5,000-yuan deposit. His loan payments were overdue and collectors were after him. He was about to become... Just as he sank into utter despair, a mysterious old Daoist appeared, opened his heavenly e 3.9kReads8.5Score316Shelves
9. 9 全 Watched by the Whole Internet: The Frail Junior Student Outwits a Top Criminal Investigator 全网围观，病弱学妹戏耍刑侦王牌 Still Feeling Cold依然觉得寒冷Mystery589k WordsCompleted Award-winning work in the Fifth Tomato Web Literature Competition Finals, Selected Mystery Case Award “I only ever kill people who deserve to die!” [High-Octane Dark Fantasy | Elite Mind Games | A Life-or-Death Battle Between Good and Evil | A Strong Heroine and an Even Stronger Heroine] [Shocking Twists | No Romance | Two Powerful, Unhinged Rivals Face Off] From the day Ling Zhi became a criminal police officer, he believed in only two things: evidence and procedural justice. Criminals were cri 83kReads9.5Score16.2kShelves

   Reader note

   In a word, absolutely amazing. You definitely won't be disappointed after watching it.

10. 10 我 Reborn Under the Tutelage of the Guesthouse Owner 我在民宿老板娘的调教下重生 Sea Salt Crispy海盐酥酥Urban321k WordsCompleted [Roguish CEO and Rich Young Master x Fierce Big Sister and Money-Loving, Loyal Heroine] Older Woman-Younger Man Romance, Packed with Satisfying Moments On a stormy night, Lu Qiming, president of the SM Group, is ambushed by his own uncle. He fakes his death in a car crash and escapes, covered in blood, before pounding on the door of a mountain lodge for help. To his surprise, the person who opens the door is a young proprietress with even more grit than he has: Murong Laidi. At just twenty, she’ 174Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    High intelligence breaks the deadlock, conspiracies unfold.

11. 11 高 A Master Comes Down from the Mountains: Beautiful Ladies, Please Stay 高手下山，美女请留步 Wind and Waves风浪波Urban10.4M WordsCompleted [Invincible + overwhelming victories + decisive and ruthless + fight anyone who dares defy you] A master descends from the mountain and sweeps all before him. He wields the power of the world by day and sleeps in the arms of beauties by night. He crushes every opponent along the way. What more is there to say but: exhilarating... [First Senior Sister: The Dragon Maiden of Longdu, richer than a nation] [Second Senior Sister: The Divine Maiden of Shendu, wielding immense power] [Junior Sister: The 6.3kReads8.9Score716Shelves
12. 12 太 The Crown Prince Is a Treasure Trove, but She Flirts and Runs 太子浑身是宝，但她撩完就跑 Nine Strokes, Then a Horizontal Line九笔横才Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Clever revenge + ensemble court drama + male lead fakes his death and reveals his identity, then goes mad + heroine is his one true love] [Power couple comedy | Strategic mind games | All the right ingredients | Fictional setting] Axiang, a huntress, bought herself a live-in husband. He was handsome, with a fine figure and a noble, radiant air, like an immortal crane descended from the heavens, or a jade-faced gentleman from a storybook. But he had no idea how to show affection. When she offer 1.5kReads9.2Score185Shelves

    Reader note

    This book on political intrigue has recently become my favorite! I highly recommend it!

13. 13 一 I Transmigrated and Became the Beloved Bride of a Crippled Marquis 一朝穿越，替嫁残侯成团宠 Chen Jiu辰九Ancient Romance230k WordsCompleted [Historical transmigration + medical skills + marriage before love + two strong leads who dote on each other + suspense and court intrigue] Shen Qingci, a top surgeon, transmigrates into the body of a bride forced into a marriage swap. She becomes the new bride meant to bring good fortune to Xiao Yan, the blind and crippled Marquis of Dingbei. On their wedding night, she takes his pulse and immediately sees through it: “My lord, you’ve been poisoned. Someone wants to keep you in darkness forever 116Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 14 逆 Against the Meridians: Liar, Stop! 逆经：骗子住手 Ren Fanwuyin任梵无音Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted [Original novel for the animated series This Taoist Is Not Quite Right] Life is unpredictable. The fit thrive under Heaven's law, Those skilled in force become generals, those skilled in strategy become kings. Born into the lowest of professions, he refuses to live like a nobody, He waves the yin-yang banner and sees through the Six Lines of Divination. Watch him play at being a spirit medium, watch him swindle and deceive, Watch him make ruthless decisions, watch him rise like a hidden dragon f 43.3kReads9.4Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Also known as 👉🏿 *The Six Lines Hidden Trap*. A blend of political intrigue, martial arts, suspenseful crime-solving, and a genius's revenge. The plot is full of twists and turns! The writing style is humorous, making for a delightful read—you won't regret it!

15. 15 律 The Lawyer and the Judge: I Killed My Client 律师审判者：我杀了我的当事人 Feng Er Xi风二兮Mystery1.4M WordsCompleted 417Reads7.0Score153Shelves

    Reader note

    This novel is great! By day, he helps people get away with crimes—murderers, rapists—and secretly kills them all. The key is that he understands the law; the police know it's him but have no evidence. The pacing is fast, with one person appearing every 3-5 chapters. [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

16. 16 与 Coexisting with a Big Shot, I Became Unstoppable 与大佬共生，我强到飞起 Chen Jiu辰九Modern Romance284k WordsCompleted One day, I woke up with a man in my head. It wasn't a hallucination or a split personality. He was the real deal, a top-tier boss: Lu Yunzhou. The ruthless business tycoon who ruled the corporate world was now nothing more than a ghost trapped in my mind. And so, things started looking like this: When someone gives me a hard time, he scoffs in my head: [Third file from the bottom left. Throw it in his face.] When someone frames me, he directs me remotely: [The recorder's in the right-hand drawe 140Reads—Score—Shelves
17. 17 快 Quick Transmigration: The Second Personality 快穿第二人格 Chen Jiu辰九Modern Romance216k WordsCompleted Female lead + dual personality + no saintly martyrdom + takes down scumbags regardless of gender or age + lighthearted and funny Synopsis: Jiang Yan, a female cultivator, was bored when she happened upon a System. She transmigrates through three thousand worlds, disguising herself as the original host's second personality to help them change their personalities and escape their tragic fates. She takes down scumbags, delivers face-slapping comeuppances, completes missions, and explores the myster 41Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 18 官 The Official’s Path: Why Is It So Hard to Be a Good Official? 官道：当个好官为什么这么难 A Lonely Blade寂寞一刀Urban1.7M WordsOngoing A contemporary political novel rooted in real life, by a veteran author with years of experience writing political fiction. It’s wonderfully down-to-earth, and its schemes and power struggles will leave you on edge and emotionally reeling. Drawing on personal experiences, the author has created a modern-day exposé of officialdom, rich with life experience and thought-provoking political wisdom. It’s absolutely worth reading. Life is a journey of self-cultivation. You have to find your own path. 40.2kReads8.9Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Take a look at this book; you'll definitely benefit greatly from it!

19. 19 谷 Flowers at the Bottom of the Valley 谷底的花 Li Shixin立十辛Mystery367k WordsCompleted [Slice-of-life mystery + deduction + crime solving + case-of-the-week + serious drama] Main characters: Lu Jun (forensic pathology intern) vs. Chen Zhou (criminal investigation team captain) Six years ago, a family upheaval completely changed Lu Jun's personality, and his family sent him abroad. Six years later, Lu Jun returned to China and voluntarily joined Chen Zhou's workplace. The two are twelve years apart in age. Their relationship shifted from close friends to an awkward “uncle and nephe 1.2kReads—Score132Shelves

    Reader note

    A crime thriller you absolutely shouldn't miss! Highly recommended, this series is a suspenseful mystery novel told through episodic cases. Don't let the unassuming title fool you; the male lead is incredibly likable—a super cute intern forensic pathologist. No one who reads it can resist him! Plus, the author's writing is superb, not at all padded, and the descriptions of investigative techniques are very professional. [Thumbs up][I also highly recommend it][Added to my bookshelf]

20. 20 妖 The Prodigious Scholar’s 39th Book 妖孽书生第39本书 Bewitching Scholar妖孽书生Urban1.6M WordsCompleted [New book: They sent you undercover, so why did you sleep with the mob boss's daughter?] I caught my fiancée cheating, then married the man she was cheating with's fiancée on the spot. She was fair-skinned and beautiful, with a stunning figure and plenty of money and influence. I thought I'd hit the jackpot. But I never expected that on our wedding night, she would actually... 1.7kReads7.7Score215Shelves

    Reader note

    Ignore the title! It's all interconnected!

21. 21 一 An Invitation 一封邀请函 Li Shixin立十辛Mystery102k WordsCompleted Keywords: Snowbound mountain lodge + Ensemble cast + Campus + Novella An invitation to a high school reunion. Twelve letters, twelve people. As murders follow one after another in the dead of night, each more horrifically brutal than the last, is the killer one of the twelve, or someone else entirely? The truth behind the events is a secret hidden for years. Thorns in the darkness ensnare everyone in fear and unease. No one knows who holds the knife and who is at its mercy. Amid tangled love and 1.1kReads—Score139Shelves
22. 22 灰 The Gray Lotus 灰莲花 Clouds of Rough Noodles Again又见糙面云Modern Romance819k WordsCompleted [A textbook case of realist business warfare + a deeply romantic, top-tier intellectual romance] The world has gone mad. A top-tier rich, handsome young heir is forced to compete with his wealthy wife for a lover... “If she likes me and I like her too, then we’ll each have to prove ourselves.” The male lead is loaded with resources and comes with every advantage, while the female lead has brains and beauty and rises from humble beginnings. A textbook case of realist business warfare, arranged fa 36.4kReads9.4Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This is the pinnacle of contemporary romance novels this year, a sweet, angsty, and intellectually stimulating read. After reading it, I couldn't get into anything else. The author's literary background is profound, far surpassing that of novice authors. The writing is divine, incredibly delicate. The male lead's love is intense, but not mindless. The female lead is brilliant; after reading, you'll not only fall in love with the male lead but also with the female lead. The pacing is steady, starting slowly but steadily building up to a sweeter, more intense feeling as it progresses. It has a grand scope, and reading it will give you a mental boost. The plot takes off after chapter ten. Trust me, you'll come back and thank me after you finish reading.

23. 23 豪 Cast-Off Rich Wife? Sorry, She's a Beautiful Madwoman 豪门弃妇？抱歉，她是疯批美人 One Paycheck, One Hundred Trillion一薪一亿亿Modern Romance945k WordsOngoing [Pursuit of his wife + unhinged heroine + satisfying face-slapping + male rivals competing for her + revenge] This book is also known as Mr. Fu, Your Wife Is Acting Up Again. Three years into their marriage, Mo Lansheng suddenly discovered that her husband was keeping another woman on the side. An ex-girlfriend he still had a thing with, a first love he couldn't let go of, and a whole crowd of admirers. And she was nothing but a discarded rich man's wife in everyone else's eyes. But she wasn't d 23.3kReads8.4Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    The story revolves around a wife-chasing frenzy, a madwoman who is cunning, ruthless, highly intelligent, and relentlessly competitive in a cutthroat arena.

24. 24 我 I Act Like a Big Shot After Watching Crime Movies, and the Tycoon Begs Me to Save His Life 我看警匪片装大佬，首富求我救命 Big Shot Yu大佬俞Urban1.1M WordsCompleted [Clever mind games + No simping + Pure satisfaction] [Takes off after ten chapters] One day, the bookshelf of ordinary office worker Lu Ping suddenly refreshed with its first intelligence report. He carefully opened it and read every word. Excitement and nerves hit him as he discovered that it contained all the secrets of a cold, high-and-mighty female CEO... So Lu Ping watched police dramas and copied the words and mannerisms of the big shots. He practiced a detached, bloodthirsty gaze in the m 8.9kReads9.1Score736Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book, judging from the title, is obviously for high-IQ readers [just kidding]. The second one is incredibly thrilling, incredibly thrilling—don't get too engrossed, or you might go crazy. The third one is a great antique book, no need to elaborate. The fourth one is simply amazing!!!

25. 25 地 The Eighteenth Level of Hell: No Lying Allowed 地狱十八层：这里禁止说谎 Two Liang of Plain Water二两白开Mystery2.3M WordsOngoing [No System, no power fantasy, no harem, no saintly protagonist. Mind games + wits and strategy + locked-room mysteries + deduction.] Chen Ran is a good person. He went to hell. This is the Tongue-Ripping Hell, where lying is forbidden, so everyone lies about their lies. Differences in how people believe lies should be handled gave rise to two major alliances. The Lie-Slayer Alliance: Lie, and you're killed instantly. The Strange-Tongue Alliance: Turn lies into the truth. A beginner's tutorial wi 74.6kReads9.1Score11.6kShelves

    Reader note

    Even the most insignificant supporting character, who only appears briefly, would be a protagonist in other intellectual thrillers. The logic is impeccable, the protagonist possesses exceptionally high intelligence, and the plot relies purely on wits. The locked-room mystery is brilliantly designed.

26. 26 天 The Hidden Secrets of the World 天下藏局 Little Nine Disciple小九徒Urban2.8M WordsCompleted [Wuxia World + Antiques Appraisal + Tomb Raiding] I never went to school as a child. Instead, I spent ten years learning the trade from a beautiful woman. Over those ten years, she forged me a pair of “Ghost Eyes” that could identify every rare treasure in the world. She trained my hands into “Buddha’s Hands,” teaching me to break traps and set schemes with impunity. And she taught me a repertoire of “divine skills” that let me navigate the shifting world of the martial underworld with ease. Dra 100kReads9.4Score18.4kShelves
27. 27 青 Dark Rain Beneath the Blue Sky 青天暗雨 Fang Yi方迤Mystery1.5M WordsOngoing [Mystery and Twists] [Criminal Logic] [Psychology] [Case-of-the-Week] [No Romance] Jiang Li believes in one thing when solving cases: the odds of three coincidences happening in a row are one in a million. So what looks like an accident must actually be murder. At work, he always thought his apprentice, M Dou, was all he needed. He never expected the bureau to suddenly assign two new recruits: criminal photographer Ximen Yixuan and Du Ruo, who has just earned her doctorate in psychology... "The 979Reads—Score171Shelves

    Reader note

    The opening of this mystery novel is practically a Sidney Sheldon reincarnation! The writing style is absolutely amazing! The pacing of the opening cases is reminiscent of "the world's best storyteller," Sidney Sheldon—clean, smooth, and incredibly easy to read; you simply can't put it down! Time tricks⏳, ocean murders🌊, antisocial personality disorder🖤, juvenile villains🔪, balloon murders🎈… The cases are intricately linked, with climaxes and twists galore—it's truly superb! A must-read for suspense lovers! ✨

28. 28 我 I Turned the Horror World Into a Raising Game! 我把惊悚世界玩成养成游戏！ Yu Zuo予作Mystery2.3M WordsCompleted A mysterious force descended upon Earth, giving rise to another world of terror. Everyone was forcibly sent into the world of horror games on their eighteenth birthday. While everyone else was immersed in fear, struggling to survive in the cracks between life and death, Qin Nuo discovered that he could earn System rewards by influencing the ghosts’ emotions. And every time he completed a dungeon, he could establish his own business in the world of horror. So he became a food runner at the Yin Sp 112.4kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves
29. 29 官 Officialdom: Starting by Slapping My Boss Twice 官锋：从打领导两巴掌开始 Little Lotus Breeze小荷风Urban1.4M WordsOngoing Made the scapegoat from the start? Pushed to the margins, with my future and my life ruined? Fine, I’ll remember this. There’s plenty of time to settle the score. My girlfriend breaks up with me, and my love life falls apart. What was I even here for? Fine, I’ll set you free. Don’t regret it. I turn around with power in my hands and return. Li Rui laughs aloud. Those who hurt and slandered me will all pay the price. 29.9kReads8.3Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    I recommend reading these two novels about officialdom. I sympathize with the male protagonist's plight, and the teacher's live-action book narration is wonderful.

30. 30 大 Strange Tales of the Great Song: The Headless Corpse 大宋诡事：断头记 Jin Ran瑾然Mystery26k WordsCompleted [Song Dynasty mysteries + suspense + detective work + headless corpses + shocking twists] On a dark, windy night, it’s the perfect time for murder and arson! The newly appointed magistrate of Changqing County dies suddenly in a woman’s chambers in the middle of the night. The next day, his headless body turns up in the countryside! Qiaoniang, the famous courtesan who spent that night with the magistrate, flees in a panic and becomes the prime suspect! Ye Jun is ordered to investigate, only to di 394Reads9.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A classic Chinese detective story, it's so good!!! [Added to bookshelf][Added to bookshelf][Added to bookshelf]

31. 31 官 The Road to Power: A Clash of Ambition and Desire 官途从权欲交锋开始 Little Lotus Breeze小荷风Urban1.7M WordsOngoing [Political Revenge] + [Career Advancement] + [Alliances of Mutual Interest] + [Romantic Entanglements] + [Political Scheming and Wits] + [Multiple Heroines] + [Ensemble Cast] [The male lead keeps a low profile without being creepy early on, reveals his sharp edge with a roguish charm in the middle, and takes revenge on all his enemies later.] Wang Maoyuan is a "golden phoenix" who flew out of the countryside. The year he graduated from college, he passed the civil service exam and joined the la 17.6kReads7.7Score1.2kShelves
32. 32 残 The Broken Imperial Seal 残玺 Long Chu龙杵Urban900k WordsCompleted “Anger is commonplace, but a smiling man is inscrutable...” Inspired by a hidden chapter of real history, this tells the story of a wild strategic-level scientist’s rise and growth. The premise is fresh, fantastical yet grounded in reality, and encompasses history, the workplace, the military, scientific research, national security, criminal investigation, elaborate schemes, murder, and modern high-stealth espionage, high-tech hacking, and high-intensity aerospace electronic warfare. The ending 5.8kReads8.5Score683Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is complete. It starts slowly but builds to a high level of intrigue, a slow-burning, mind-bending sci-fi thriller. The novel subject matter and high reading patience make it engaging. There are no time-travel, rebirth, system, or cheat codes. The narrative flows smoothly with rigorous logic, and it's humorous without being padded. The content covers history, workplace, military, technology, national security, criminal investigation, scheming, murder, and high-tech espionage, hacking, and electronic warfare. The ending features a deep twist. It's tailor-made for seasoned readers. If you don't enjoy it, I'll kill myself!

33. 33 烟EN Misty Rain Tower 烟雨楼 A Night of Misty Rain一夕烟雨Eastern Fantasy9.5M WordsOngoing [The print edition is now available nationwide at all major retailers] "Traditional xuanhuan" "No harem" In the land of Jiuzhou stands a tower called the Misty Rain Tower. Its master, Li Qingzhi, is hailed as a peerless prodigy, holding life and death in his hands beneath the cover of night. Yet what the world doesn’t know is that someone else stands behind the Misty Rain Tower, its true founder. Using the guise of a spoiled young master as cover, he manipulates the winds and clouds and plots ac 868.2kReads9.6Score68.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A once-in-a-millennium celebration: midnight in the human world

34. 34 解 Dissociator: Financial Bullets 解离者：金融子弹 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery167k WordsCompleted Rick takes on a covert chain of missions spanning three continents: assassinate the key figures in charge of five ports. At the same time, he uses the hedge fund behind his client to make a killing, sending his personal wealth skyrocketing. Danger follows close behind. Britain’s MI5 and Interpol trace the clues back to Rick, reopening last year’s unsolved assassination cases and quietly closing their international dragnet around him. The unlikely alliance between assassination and capital stirs 259Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    American crime fiction series. New DC fanfiction.

35. 35 解 Dissociator: The Glittering Decadence of Los Angeles Eats to the Bone 解离者：洛城的浮华噬骨 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery92k WordsOngoing Behind the glittering facade of Los Angeles, a foster care agency hides behind a veneer of compassion while repeatedly preying on wealthy, vulnerable foster children. It forges guardianship papers, drains their assets, then gets rid of the victims with staged deaths from illness. 125Reads—Score—Shelves
36. 36 解 Dissolver: Incoming Missile 解离者：导弹袭来 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban156k WordsCompleted Rick, the hard-bitten killer from the series, returns once more. His close friend is brutally murdered, and the trail leads to a major missile trafficking case deliberately kept under wraps. To avenge his brother, Rick ventures alone into the heart of the conspiracy. As he presses forward through a perilous investigation, he finally slays his enemy with decisive force and successfully averts a missile crisis threatening the United States. 146Reads—Score—Shelves
37. 37 退 I Called Off the Wedding and Chose Myself, but the Finance Mogul Took Me Home 退婚独美，却被金融大佬叼回了家 Lin Jinxin林槿昕Modern Romance645k WordsCompleted [Workplace fiction + two equally strong leads + sapiosexual romance + both leads are sexually inexperienced + happy ending] This is neither a fast-paced wish-fulfillment story nor a pure romance. The heroine's career and workplace life take center stage, so please don't read if that's not your thing. More than one man falls for her, but this is not a one-woman-many-men story. Lin Shu Qiao is a dynamic, capable venture capital director at Mingsheng Capital, equally skilled with words and action. 374Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The main focus is on a story that doesn't insult the reader's intelligence, featuring strong male leads or even stronger female leads, smooth romantic developments, and relatable workplace scenes.

38. 38 解 Dissociators: The Chronicles of Saint Judas Island 解离者：圣犹大岛纪事 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery203k WordsCompleted On the picturesque island of St. Judas, a series of locked-room mysteries and cunning murders unfold. The person who comes to solve them is a professional assassin. He understands killing and strategy, using a killer's instincts to unravel one impossible crime after another. Beneath the sunlit island, lies, old grudges, and conspiracies steadily rise to the surface. With classic locked-room mysteries at its heart, an immersive deserted-island atmosphere, and four linked cases, the story asks at 90Reads—Score—Shelves
39. 39 解 The Dissociator: The Canary Heist 解离者：金丝雀大劫案 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery119k WordsCompleted This series focuses on a heist of the century. What seemed like an ordinary day at Collingwood Global Investment Bank is shattered when a gang of armed robbers breaks in. They force the bank employees to follow their orders. In the aftermath, a chief inspector caught in a dilemma races against time, vowing to discover who stole the £3.9 billion and why. 75Reads—Score—Shelves
40. 40 解 The Dissociator: The Extravagant Prisoner and the Underground Howl 解离者：奢囚与地下啸 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery160k WordsCompleted New York is split between day and night, two worlds at odds. Hired by a wealthy family to rescue their kidnapped heir, hitman Rick uncovers a sprawling conspiracy. Meanwhile, Roy, a subway veteran worn down by corporate exploitation, launches a fierce rebellion in the underground tunnels. There are no crime investigations or justice here, only struggles for profit and settling scores under a code of gray rules. The victors are free to rewrite the truth. Desire and the cruelty of class are laid b 87Reads—Score—Shelves
41. 41 我 I’m the Grim Reaper, and I’m About to Start Committing Crimes! 我是死神，我要开始犯罪了！ Newly Enamelled, Drunk with Beauty彩釉醉颜新Mystery659k WordsCompleted [High-IQ Crime] [No Female Lead] [A Rational Madman] [No System] Twenty years ago, Yi Bo's entire family was slaughtered. Twenty years later, he walks out of a psychiatric hospital. From that moment on, the fates of certain people are sealed! Yi Bo swears to uncover the truth behind his family's murder and kill the people responsible! But as his investigation goes deeper, he discovers that things are far from simple. An unseen hand is guiding Yi Bo as he painstakingly unravels the mystery. “The 2.6kReads6.9Score158Shelves

    Reader note

    Then I recommend this one, it's definitely a high-IQ book, and absolutely fantastic.

42. 42 解 The Disintegrator: A World of Black and Gray 解离者：黑灰世界 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban138k WordsCompleted Rick accidentally plunges into the dark abyss of an international drug cartel's deals, confronting the tangled connections between drug crimes and gang forces and witnessing countless bloody battles. Through one man's eyes, the story depicts a gripping, dark struggle for power, steeped in money and murder. 57Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 43 解 Dissolver: Assassination 解离者：刺杀 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban159k WordsCompleted With the election approaching, the political landscape is shrouded in uncertainty. Acting on a secret assignment, Rick navigates official cover-ups, power struggles, and layers of deception. Following the faintest clues, he carefully pieces together the truth and hunts down the mysterious mastermind lurking behind it all. He quietly snuffs out a deadly crisis capable of changing the balance of power before it can take root. 121Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 44 穿 After I Transmigrated, I Gave Up, but My Target Started Pursuing Me Instead 穿越后摆烂我被攻略对象反攻略了 Jiang Li Jiang Li江黎姜离Two Male Leads1.4M WordsOngoing Dual male leads, everyone's favorite, cultivation, System, angst first and sweetness later, reincarnation, amnesia, twists. I transmigrated into a hidden extra, and not just any extra, but a crucial one! The original story never even mentioned me! The calamity that will destroy the world is fast approaching, yet the System's missions are utterly baffling. Am I supposed to form a friendship bond with the child of destiny? Or win over the world-ending villain? And there's more than one child of de 437Reads9.4Score110Shelves

    Reader note

    They're all smart.

45. 45 解 The Dissociator: A Black Comedy of Errors 解离者：黑色幽默大事件 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery165k WordsCompleted No formulaic power fantasies! Worldbuilding-driven, realist mystery, where evidence is just the final nail needed to make things official. The second installment in the Dissociator series. This is a story about a killer! A killer and a detective, willing to get their hands dirty. Dissociation is a symptom of detachment following trauma. It is commonly associated with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or dissociative disorders. The mind breaks free from pain, the body escapes the dust of 100Reads—Score—Shelves
46. 46 开 One Brain to Scheme for the World from the Start 开局一个脑子谋划天下 Mature Feiyangyang成熟的沸羊羊Historical219k WordsCompleted [I’m terrible at coming up with titles (இдஇ; )] [Studying the Thirty-Six Stratagems as I write] [Schemes] Wang was sentenced to five years in prison for phone scams. He was caught after escaping prison and committing murder and robbery. But after being executed, he transmigrated. Even during his transmigration, he was struck by five bolts of thunder. After transmigrating, the protagonist reflects on his mistakes, repents, and vows to become a good person. As he stabs the person beside him, he sa 124Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 47 复 The Revenge Concerto 复仇协奏曲 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery272k WordsCompleted No formulaic power fantasies! A worldbuilding-driven, realistic mystery where evidence is just the final nail in the procedural coffin. The first book in the Dissociator series. This is a story about a killer! A killer and a detective, willing to do the dirty work. Dissociation is a symptom of detachment following trauma. It is commonly associated with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or dissociative disorders. The mind dissociates from pain; the body breaks free from the dust. The Ame 414Reads—Score101Shelves
48. 48 重 Reborn: The Phoenix’s Mistake 重生之凤凰错 Dimpled Smile梨涡浅浅漾Ancient Romance682k WordsOngoing Dual rebirth + soul transmigration + political intrigue In her previous life, she was the false phoenix princess who starved to death in a prison cell. Reborn with the advantage of knowing what was to come, she was certain the Crown Prince of Wei was the murderer. With a trump card after trump card, she plotted flawlessly. But she never realized the true killing game was hidden in her older sister's gentle smile. Twin phoenix princesses were seen as an omen of disaster. She took the calamity upo 304Reads9.4Score101Shelves
49. 49 D DC: Still Force, Stillness DC：静止力止静 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Anime Fanfiction390k WordsOngoing No female lead, no System, and not a mindless wish-fulfillment story. There’s no golden opening trilogy and no forced, bizarre hook. This is a slow-paced DC fanfic. The story is grounded in the tone of the original DC comics, focusing on its characters and worldbuilding while following the main timeline of the comics. The pacing is gentle, making it a good fit for readers who are willing to settle in and savor the story. If you prefer stories with intense conflict from the start and fast-paced, 4.1kReads7.5Score283Shelves
50. 50 电 Digital Homecoming: Reborn 《电子归途之重生》 Guest of Qinggu Valley箐谷客31k WordsCompleted The Electronic Road Home: Reborn 352Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Hello fellow book lovers! I sincerely recommend the two hard science fiction novellas, "Electronic Journey: Breaking the Cocoon" and "Electronic Journey: Rebirth", to you. I hope you will enjoy them. The novels have a unique science fiction perspective and novel ideas. They are about a series of dramatic stories about the discovery of micro-intelligent civilizations by mankind in the future and the use of these civilizations. The author's work is conscientious, not a saccharine story, not a formulaic story, and not a work that follows the crowd. It is a work that the author wrote with great care. The author just loves writing and wants to leave behind some good stories with thoughts and meaning. The novels have vivid descriptions, rich character emotions, grand story scenes, and a complete world view. The author's writing is very smooth and the logic is very rigorous. All the science fiction elements are reasonable conjectures based on the development of science and technology and the contradictions. (1) The novels put forward the idea of ​​"future macro and micro symbiotic civilizations", which is a new way of thinking from a science fiction perspective. (2) The novel's conjecture that "oxygen atoms and the structure of the solar system are isomorphic, and the 8-planet system may have similar environments and may give birth to similar life forms" is worth discussing and pondering for science fiction fans. (3) The novel's view that "the 'simultaneity' of time in the human world may be a very large time scale in the microscopic world, and the 'superposition state' in quantum mechanics, if viewed from the long time scale of the microscopic world, may be a collection of multiple states of events occurring in a linear sequence, and therefore there is no superposition state" is worth thinking about and discussing. (4) The novel's view that "electrons observed in experiments are not necessarily passively excited, but may also be active escapes generated by life behavior" is worth thinking about and studying. (5) The novel's vision of the future combination of brain-computer interfaces and bionic robots is worth looking forward to. (6) The novel's connotation is satirical towards extremism. Technological extremism, scientific extremism, fame and fortune extremism, and extremism that gets stuck on trivial matters are all objects of satire in the novel. (7) The novel has the connotation of advocating morality and harmonious coexistence of all things. (8) The novel embodies a spirit of self-sacrifice and boundless love, a manifestation of a free and unrestrained love. I sincerely recommend it to fellow readers!

Other lists with South Branches Toward Dusk, The Regent Has Been Plotting This for Ages