Fresh, Unusual Settings and a Variety of Abilities 设定新异，能力多样

1. 801 异 Anomalies: Destroying the World Is Surprisingly Easy 异常：灭世还蛮简单的 Shimmering Night夜光浮摇Urban631k WordsOngoing Lin Zheng transmigrated to a world rife with danger. The uncanny was spreading, anomalies were running rampant, and indescribable things were taking root in the darkness. It seemed human civilization could come to an end at any moment. The good news was that Lin Zheng wasn’t human. He was an anomaly, a world-ending anomaly. Even if the world were destroyed, he would remain immortal forever. [Female lead] [One female lead] 10.7kReads9.3Score892Shelves

   Reader note

   I guarantee you won't understand it after watching it once. If you don't believe me, let's have a heated debate online.

2. 802 地 Level 999 of Hell: I Am the Strongest Mercenary 地狱999层：我是最强雇佣兵 Turbid One浊人Urban1.0M WordsCompleted [Infinite worlds + ruthless and decisive + no female lead + no saintly hero + evolution and mutation + original system] T-virus? Swallowed. G-virus? Swallowed. Blacklight virus? Swallowed. Blackwater Xenomorph? Swallowed. T-Veronica virus? Swallowed. Gamma-ray mutagen? Swallowed. Vibranium skeleton? Swallowed. I don’t care what you call it, if the bloodline looks good, I’ll just swallow it all!! The 999th level of Hell. You’re all earning points to trade for abilities? I have the perfect Gen 10.5kReads8.9Score1kShelves

   Reader note

   The premise is pretty good, no female lead, hilarious kill.

3. 803 神 Tycoon System: From the Start, I Turn 20 Yuan into a Fortune for My Whole Family 神豪系统：开局20块带飞全家 A Spare Ten Thousand Words闲来无事写一万Modern Romance409k WordsOngoing (The score was just posted, so it should go up later.) [An unconventional tycoon-style reward system + leveling up + everyone’s favorite + saving family + doomsday stockpiling. The heroine isn’t invincible from the start; the more she levels up, the more satisfying it gets.] When a natural disaster struck, Jiang Xiu thought her life would end at twenty-two. But when she opened her eyes, she found herself back in an unfamiliar modern world, bound to a livestream cashback-to-fortune System The mor 3.1kReads9.4Score326Shelves
4. 804 奇 I Reign Supreme in Qimen, Yet I'm Just a Food Delivery Guy 奇门我为尊，我是个送外卖的 Ramblings in the Spirit Realm灵境乱弹琴Urban299k WordsCompleted Earth ascends to a higher dimension, the Haotian Emperor steps down, and Lord Guan takes the throne. The apocalyptic tribulation of the Age of Dharma Decline is near. The gods descend to undergo trials, and the Celestial Marshal, an office director in Heaven’s administration, accidentally takes possession of Zhang Wei. He embarks on a path of cultivation and tribulation, powered by the foundations of Qimen Dunjia, talismans, and the Yin Talisman Scripture. The Light and Dark Society of the Squid —Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This book is not some nonsense about cultivating immortality. Based on the classic texts of Yin Fu Jing, Qimen Dunjia, Liu Yao Na Jia, and talismans and incantations, it will guide you to enlightenment and help you cope with the dimensional ascension of Earth.

5. 805 逃 Escape Game: Exploiting a Game Bug Doesn't Count as Cheating! 逃亡游戏：游戏bug不算挂！ Flickering Empty Sky闪烁添空Sports531k WordsOngoing [Not mindless wish fulfillment] [Dungeon-based] [Wits and strategy + satisfying combat] Zhang Ying was so infuriated by a game’s anti-cheat System that he spat blood. When he opened his eyes again, he was already inside the game! Loot, shoot, and escape; Werewolf; simulation and management; role-playing... Dungeons of every kind push players to their limits, and failure means death. Even if you’re lucky enough to clear a dungeon, if you haven’t gathered enough resources, you can only huddle in a 2Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The protagonist's ability is to combine skills acquired in the game; various skills can be obtained in each dungeon. [Send heart]

6. 806 蝉 The Cicada Project 蝉计划 Moonlight Old Rascal明月老贼Urban4.7M WordsCompleted [Spiritual qi revival + crafty schemer + comedy + meme references + one heroine] As spiritual qi revived, Jiang Bai unexpectedly arrived in the age of the fifth mysterious tide. Everything he knew had faded with the passage of time. The world had been utterly transformed, familiar places and people were gone, and the career he had once fought for had turned to dust. The past was beyond recall. In this chaotic, dark age, order had long since collapsed, civilization was no more, and the shadow of 70kReads9.3Score7.2kShelves

   Reader note

   The background style of the first few chapters differs greatly from the later ones, so you need to read several chapters to discover the appealing aspects. The character designs are all quite unconventional; all I can say is, long live Oniwa!!

7. 807 末 Post-Apocalyptic Scavenging: I Turn Trash into Treasure and Coast to Victory 末日拾荒：我靠变废为宝一路躺赢 Su Jiuyao苏九遥Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.2M WordsCompleted [Infinite-Tower Style + Apocalypse + Natural Disasters + Pocket Dimension + Stockpiling + Strong Female Lead + Upgradable Safe House + Feel-Good Power Fantasy + Male Lead Appears Later] Forensic examiner Lin Chu is suddenly dropped into an infinite apocalypse. Other people see zombies: “Oh my god, those bloody, mangled monsters! Stay away!” Lin Chu sees zombies: “206 moving bones! Walking points! The more, the better!” Drawing on her professional experience, she quickly adapts to the bloody apoc 43.7kReads9.5Score6kShelves
8. 808 我 I Became a Grain Tycoon, Sending Endless Supplies to the Red Army 我成粮食大亨，无限给红军送粮 Guangwu Anwen光武暗文Urban116k WordsCompleted [Future System + Modern Host + Missions in the Past] Fang Jin is on the verge of bankruptcy when he unexpectedly binds himself to the “Space-Time Provisions System” from the future. System missions: deliver unlimited food to the arduous years of history, when people went hungry and cold: the Red Army on the Long March, the volunteer soldiers in the frozen wilderness, and the base areas cut off from food and supplies... The rewards are generous, but the penalty is even harsher: fail a mission, an 789Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This concept is incredibly novel.

9. 809 刀 Brother Dao Goes Viral in Showbiz, and Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing 刀哥爆红娱乐圈，粉丝求我别杀了 Drunk in Solitude孤风一醉Urban2.7M WordsOngoing [Lighthearted + no romance + absurd comedy + entertainment industry] [Print edition published | Comic adaptation released] Xiao He acquired a criminal golden finger that let him learn all kinds of criminal skills. But he could only stay alive by continually stabbing people. Xiao He: “I’m a perfectly decent college student. Who’d want to become a criminal?!” Wait, there really is a way! After an accident, Xiao He successfully exploited a bug in his golden finger. By acting instead of committing r 175kReads9.3Score14.7kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book's protagonist is bound to a crime system, but uses a bug to become an actor; the pacing is good. The second book has Cthulhu elements and a pathway to power; although some details weren't handled very well in my opinion, it was still a very enjoyable read.

10. 810 你 Hello, Creepy Boss. I'm Here to Work 你好诡异Boss，我是来打工的 Qi Yi Zi七一子Fantastical Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Print edition under contract] [Female-oriented, no romance, infinite-flow + plot-driven + mildly horror] On the first day after losing her job, a mysterious app appeared on Li Wu's phone. The jobs listed were simple and paid well. They were obviously a scam. Li Wu: “I'm in! A scam is exactly what I'm looking for.” Her job duties were simple: [Little Girl's Nanny: 5,000 yuan/day] [Plastic Surgery Clinic Nurse: 10,000 yuan/day] [Village Watcher: 30,000 yuan/day] The work was clearly described and 116.9kReads9.2Score17.5kShelves
11. 811 诡 The Evil God Can't Be Contained? Let Me Take a Couple of Bites First 诡神无法收容？先让我浅尝两口 Fireworks and Curtain Call烟花与闭幕Urban725k WordsCompleted [A man with a woman's appearance] [Gender Swap] [Transformation] [Supporting the Divine] [Elder of the Soul Hall] [A seasoned foodie] [Author of a 9.4-rated work, so dive in with confidence] … The story begins: [Ability acquired: Wielder of Sacred Light. You can control light.] Bai Liang: “This world may have lost its sun, but it still has me. I can replace the old sun and become a newborn one, can't I?” … … The story ends: The eldritch god descended from the stars and unleashed divine pun 3.6kReads8.8Score512Shelves

    Reader note

    Hehehe... Ate it all! It transformed into a bizarre devouring evolution, its true form becoming a blazing sun, grilling meat right there!

12. 812 巨 Giant Beast Survival: There Are a Few Too Many Giant Beasts Behind Me 巨兽求生我的身后巨兽有点多 Retreating into Seclusion with the Ink Poured Out倒墨归隐Sci-Fi & Apocalypse559k WordsOngoing (No clichés, no invincible protagonist, no wish fulfillment, no mindless characters, no lone-wolf protagonist. If that bothers you, come in and complain.) One night of panting, and in the blink of an eye, I was face-to-face in a one-on-one match with black tentacles. I thought that since I was a complete weakling from the start, I was destined to be gored to death by a turtle. When I survived the evil god's gaze, I was plunged into the abyss once more. What is real, and what is false? I'm really 20Reads—Score—Shelves
13. 813 诀 The Dao-Cutting Art 诀天道 Yue Xin Hengtian月信恒天Eastern Fantasy1.2M WordsOngoing (No mindless protagonist, no clichéd plot, a cunning lead, fully realized characters, no System, twin swords) The twin swords ring out, cleaving the heavens. Let souls be severed and bones torn out as you will. The world shall know no more bloody storms. I am both demon and god! With everything shattered, can it be made whole again? Faced with the shackles of fate, he will cut them apart with his twin swords! The gods and demons wage war for a hundred years. The Heavenly Dao is merciless, treati 3.2kReads—Score261Shelves

    Reader note

    Fellow Daoists, you'll know once you read the first chapter! What are the three golden chapters? It'll be even more enjoyable if you read up to chapter 57. It's not mindless; your intelligence will be on point throughout!

14. 814 技 My Skills Never Go on Cooldown. How Will You Respond? 技能永久没冷却，阁下如何应对？ I Love Watching the Show我爱围观Urban2.8M WordsCompleted [Game invades reality + deserted-island survival + monsters + thrilling battles + god-tier talent + various civilizations + near-invincible hero + plot-driven] A monster-themed online game suddenly invades reality, and superpowered players begin appearing around the globe. Wang Mang suddenly transmigrates to a deserted island filled with gigantic things. Trees hundreds of meters tall, coconuts the size of rooms, ants as big as calves, giant blue crabs as tall as two-story buildings... It seems h 34.7kReads8.6Score2.9kShelves
15. 815 被 Forced to Become the Hot-Blooded Manga Hero, He Faked His Death on the Spot 被迫成为热血漫主角后他直接死遁 A Moon Rabbit一只月兔Urban1.0M WordsCompleted [No Romance] [No Female Lead] [Hot-Blooded Shonen] [Everyone Is Evil] [The Protagonist Is a Genuine Villain, With No Redemption] [Ensemble Cast] The hot-blooded shonen manga Villain's Fate is a blend of excitement, warmth, laid-back fun, and comedy. Its polished art, unexpected plot twists, and characters who leave readers aching for what might have been have earned it a devoted following. However, the author went on hiatus at the story's climax and stayed away for three years. Then, after three 21.9kReads9.1Score2.8kShelves
16. 816 惊 Thriller Game: From the Start, I Urge the Ghost Courtesan to Reform! 惊悚游戏：开局劝鬼花魁从良！ Sweet Sweet Sweet Stories甜甜甜故事Mystery1.2M WordsCompleted [Horror game + comedic mild horror + infinite-flow + livestream + no heroine + the protagonist doesn’t act human + everyone is clever + everyone lies + original game scenarios] [The only novel online to tell the story of what happened before the horror game invaded!] [Horror scenario “Ghost Brothel” fully loaded. Players, please get ready!] Lin Xun, a hack screenwriter, is transported into a horror game. Unblockable horror livestreams spread across the internet, turning this into a terrifying sp 5.7kReads9.3Score625Shelves
17. 817 氪 A Life-for-Cash Game? But I Have a Lifespan Roulette! 氪命游戏？但是我有寿命大转盘！ Infinite Cat Traps无限套猫Urban1.0M WordsCompleted Life-for-Cash Game: Everything here costs lifespan! Lifespan Prize Wheel: Spend lifespan to spin the wheel and win all kinds of rewards! Put the two together, and isn't it like stepping on your own feet to spiral into the sky? Let's start with a spin that costs 50 years of lifespan. You won one x10 card! “Where should I multiply first?” 8.6kReads6.9Score808Shelves
18. 818 看 Watch Closely: This Is How You Use an Ability 看好了，能力是这样用的 Cats See Culture Everywhere猫猫眼里都是文化Eastern Fantasy1.1M WordsCompleted [Mind-Bending Epic + Tight Logic + Original Worldbuilding, No CP, No Cliches, All Kinds of Elements, Including Transformation] “I died, and I’ve forgotten my past.” “The good news is, I’m now a quasi-Heroic Spirit.” But without powerful abilities, how can I survive in one world after another? Yu Si stared at his ability, rated F-, and fell into deep thought. “Maybe I can make it work if I develop it a little?” With enough reason and determination, a path that was both idealistic and materialisti 1.9kReads9.0Score208Shelves

    Reader note

    This one fits the bill perfectly. The protagonist's abilities are used in creative ways. It's a classic "old white" novel, and at first glance, it seems like an infinite flow story, but closer inspection reveals a unique system within it. Strengths: Rigorous and innovative setting, excellent writing, grand world-building, excellent plot, not mindless, and the logic is absolutely sound and not clichéd. Weaknesses: The setup is a bit long, there are a few plot holes, it's slightly mind-bending, and there's a transformation scene that might be off-putting (the protagonist has a skill that temporarily transforms into a white-haired witch when near death).

19. 819 全 Global Lifespan Lottery: Only I Can Choose the Rewards 全球寿命抽奖：只有我能指定奖励 Pu Sa菩飒Sci-Fi & Apocalypse2.0M WordsOngoing The apocalyptic game arrives, and lifespan becomes the only currency! The various wheels of fortune dropped by monsters can only be spun by spending lifespan! Some people spend ten years of their lives and draw a life-extending pill that grants them another hundred years! Some people spend a hundred years of their lives and draw powerful abilities that let them defy fate! Some people spend a thousand years of their lives and draw a terrifying beast tide that threatens an entire city's popula 18.9kReads7.8Score2.6kShelves
20. 820 关 How I Awakened My Powers and Became Yao Mei 关于我觉醒异能成了瑶妹这件事 Xu's February Breeze许二月春风Urban1.1M WordsOngoing [Patriotic + Superpowers + Academy + Teamwork + No Heroine, No Romance + Pure Support, No Damage + Multiple Awakenings + The State Has His Back + No Golden Finger + Battle Scars + Unhinged (?) + Ensemble Cast] [Abilities awakened so far: Spirit Possession (single-target shield), Song of Forgetting Sorrows (healing, purification, buffs, cooldown reduction, and more, all in one)] Shen Zhao: I say, mighty China should be like a rooster crowing, and the whole world should grow bright! One day, Shen 9.9kReads9.1Score1.1kShelves
21. 821 说 You Said It Was a Battle for All, So What Do You Mean by Setting Up a Monopoly? 说好全民争霸，你搞垄断什么意思 World-Destroying Emperor灭世大帝Urban1.9M WordsCompleted (The print edition has been published under the title The Final Ownership Era) [The Ultimate Owner] [Synopsis: The stars are my candlelight, the orbits my sash, and civilization my game board. It is my mercy that lets all life flourish in my garden, where no one has to measure each breath in money.] Like millions of others, Ling He was unexpectedly pulled into a war game. Outside, countless races watched hungrily. Within, humanity schemed against itself. Some wanted to become emperors, standing 56.1kReads8.8Score6.4kShelves
22. 822 杀 After Slaying My Way Through Instances, I Raise an Evil God by the Rules 杀穿副本后，我在规则里养大邪神 White Peach Wuwu Dragon白桃呜呜龙Two Male Leads1.1M WordsCompleted The print edition is now available under the title: The Fall of the Gods (Not for the faint of heart: nonhuman entities and terrifying monsters.) Yin Xiu has lived in a town governed by rules for six years. Normal players follow the rules and clear instances to stay alive. Yin Xiu, however, stays in town day after day. He doesn’t leave, clear instances, or go near the monsters. He does the bare minimum, takes it easy, and has practically settled into retirement. The town’s monsters have had thei 101.6kReads9.7Score14.1kShelves
23. 823 世 The Apocalypse: Raising Mutant Insects in My Hideaway 世界末日，我在窝居养异虫 Yang Zai楊載10k WordsCompleted The Apocalypse: Raising Strange Insects in My Cozy Hideaway 1Reads—Score—Shelves
24. 824 世 The World Became a Game, but Forgot to Generate the Players 世界游戏化，却忘了生成玩家 Red Bean Tea红豆茶Eastern Fantasy3.3M WordsOngoing The physical edition of Volume One will soon be available for preorder. Follow @0RedBeanTea0 for details. Everyone says that the Dao is waning, demons are growing stronger, and the Heavenly Tribulation is imminent, but Zhou Yuan disagrees. Undying, indestructible demons? Those are just monsters respawning in a game. Paradise realms and wondrous secret realms? Those are just game dungeons. Humankind sealing and suppressing demons? That just means not exiting the dungeon, preventing its monsters f 211.9kReads9.3Score18.9kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is good; the protagonist has clones spanning both the righteous and evil paths, and possesses many skills.

25. 825 开 Starting with The Voice, a Demon King of the Music Scene Is Born 开局好声音歌坛魔王降世 Heart-Hunting Scoundrel猎心贼肝Urban2.5M WordsCompleted [Entertainment, daily life, one female lead, sweet romance, competition, charity] Five chapters updated punctually every day at midnight. Come by and follow along! Against the backdrop of a cultural war, Xiao Bang, who transmigrates and returns from studying abroad, draws on the entertainment culture of the entire Earth. Together with his friends, he competes on the international stage and rises to become the greatest superstar. His current titles include God of Song, Guqin Master, Piano Master, 32.7kReads9.0Score2.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Completely different from all current entertainment worldviews, its content focus is entirely unique and worth watching.

26. 826 我 I Deliver Takeout Between Yin and Yang 我送外卖通阴阳 Yuan Ri Er Jiu元日耳九Urban95k WordsOngoing Urban + Superpowers + Eerie After graduating into unemployment, getting dumped by his girlfriend for his best friend, and becoming so poor he could barely afford to eat, Wang Shiyi unexpectedly lands a job with “Underworld Takeout.” The base pay is 6,000, and he starts immediately. His very first delivery goes straight to a funeral home! He thinks it’s just a food delivery job, but before long he’s delivering to the dead, uncovering the debts of the living and the demands of vengeful ghosts. He 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Check out my new book, [Sending Hearts]

27. 827 神 Mythology Invades: I Slay the Gods on Earth 神话入侵：我在地球斩神明 Yellow Pen黄笔Urban6.5M WordsOngoing In the year 0001 of the New Era, the gods descended and invaded Earth. After fifteen years of grueling resistance, human civilization was ultimately wiped out! Lin Fan, guardian deity of Great Xia, returns to three months before the gods arrive. In this life, he'll lead Great Xia in facing the gods with the strength of the entire nation! The God of the Ocean? Great Xia will answer with a steel wall! The God of the Sky? Great Xia's cannons will point straight at the heavens! The God of Winter? Gr 19.6kReads8.5Score1.3kShelves
28. 828 全 Apocalypse Survival: I Have Countless Top-Tier Talents 全民逃生：我有无数顶级天赋 It's Adam是亚当呀Sports1.1M WordsCompleted [Global Rankings + Infinite-Flow + Scavenge, Fight, Extract + Ensemble Cast] A global escape game has appeared! The world is collapsing! People everywhere are being randomly dropped into different worlds and forced to take on escape missions! Scavenge supplies, fight for your life, and escape successfully! Biological horror, ancient martial arts, terror, immortal cultivation, fantasy, magic... In these different worlds, death and opportunity go hand in hand, and success or failure can hinge on t 8.9kReads7.8Score774Shelves

    Reader note

    This one is pretty good. It's a Delta-style tomb raiding escape game where the protagonist gains new talent effects each time they escape.

29. 829 我 My RPG Protagonists Have Invaded the Real World 我的RPG主角们入侵了现实 Idle One Aqi闲者阿七Urban150k WordsOngoing On the day he takes a test for superpowers, Fang Bo is kidnapped by a group of mysterious people and taken to an experimental facility. At the critical moment, he awakens the superpower to “create game characters.” Each character can blend seamlessly into the world, with their own main quests, superpowers, and skill tree Systems. “The youngest S-Class hero in the Hero Association? “That's right. He's my avatar.” “The most brutal superhuman killer in the world?” “Y-yeah, I think he's one of mine 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The ability to create game characters in real life—like tycoon heirs, assassins, or hell worms—each character has a fixed main quest, skill tree, and milestones. Not a mindless wish-fulfillment story; it features an ensemble cast.

30. 830 纵 Conquering the Heavens, Starting as the Top Scholar 纵横诸天，从状元郎开始 Feng Xinmu风心木Eastern Fantasy393k WordsOngoing [Original dungeons + infinite worlds + no System + slow burn + highly intelligent protagonist + numerous foreshadowed clues + many twists] My name is Zhao Xingzhou, and I'm number one on the Main God Space's most-wanted list. I ended the aristocratic clans' monopoly, and they said I brought hope. I destroyed the Norse pantheon, and they accused me of bringing ruin. I became the Demon King's ruler of the demon race, and even eloped with the heroine. I founded a multiworld interstellar empire, yet 15Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Original multiverse infinite flow, different worlds, different settings, and different power systems.

31. 831 未 Future News: Once You're Rich, Keep Your Head Down and Don't Get Reckless 未来新闻：有钱了稳住别浪 A Glorious Turnslp华丽转身slpUrban1.8M WordsCompleted This novel has been adapted into a short drama, so you can count on the quality. [Urban + tycoon + System + finance + national strength] (Some readers may think the male lead is a bleeding heart. In fact, every person he saves earns him a point, and those points let him turn the world upside down and make his words come true. The reason he gives readers that impression is that the points don’t appear in the System at first, creating a false impression. Read a few dozen chapters and you’ll unders 16.5kReads8.5Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This book features a novel premise and a diverse range of system capabilities that will surprise you.

32. 832 全 My Followers Are a Little Too Timid: A Global Deity's Tale 全球神祇之我的信徒有点苟 Green Pen绿笔Eastern Fantasy3.9M WordsCompleted In the Age of the Gods, everyone becomes a deity, establishing a divine kingdom within their body, kindling divine fire, and fostering the growth of countless races. While the gods were still arguing over whether beastmen were stronger or the undead legions more terrifying, Lin Fan looked at his hundred thousand old silver-coin players hiding in the grass and felt invincibly lonely. “I'm really not the strongest Celestial God.” “I'm just an ordinary hero-game player.” The assembled gods wept and 7.2kReads8.1Score631Shelves
33. 833 隔 The Play Next Door 隔壁戏 User26182811用户26182811Historical2.8M WordsCompleted The Neighboring Stage is an expansive collection of ancient occupational parables, told across 360 standalone chapters. Together, they weave a grand panorama of 360 trades. Each chapter focuses on a different profession, from street storytellers and frontier beacon guards to imperial chefs and wandering mystics. Through the lives of people in the past, the stories reflect the world of today. The collection is united by the timeless theme that sincerity triumphs over cunning. Every story is a tes 14Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This extraordinary book, forgotten for five hundred years, has finally been completed—read for free and await your review. I. A Chance Discovery If you enter the Ancient Books Department of the National Library of China in Beijing, in the rare book storage room on the second basement floor, you will see two stacks of papers placed side by side. One stack is tattered bamboo paper from the late Ming Dynasty, with missing edges and faded ink, carefully sealed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled protective film; the other stack is modern printed manuscript paper, the pages already yellowing, the edges slightly curled. The two stacks of paper, separated by five hundred years, lie there side by side. The tattered bamboo paper is a manuscript left by an unknown Ming Dynasty scholar. He wrote this book at the end of the Wanli era and then "hid it in the mountains, to await future generations." The person he was waiting for never came. Five hundred years later, these pages were rescued from a waste paper recycling station, with only the table of contents and a few scattered fragments remaining. The printed manuscript is a manuscript reconstructed by a contemporary historian over two years. Based on the surviving table of contents and outline, he reconstructed over three hundred stories, writing a "modern revelation" for each. Upon completion, he donated the manuscript to the library and quietly departed. When the librarian was organizing the manuscript, they discovered an extra line of unsigned, tiny handwriting at the end: "Line 101: The Play Reader. Outline: You." The book is titled *The Play Next Door*. II. What kind of book is this? If you think it's an ancient novel, you're only half right. It's a "professional encyclopedia"—covering five hundred professions and five hundred stories. From the "clock tuner" in diplomatic negotiations to the "demonstration craftsman" presenting state gifts; from the "designer" of diplomatic codes to the "sugar blower" performing on the streets; from the (security escort agency) porter to the clerk in the yamen (government office); from the pharmacy owner to the troupe leader. Five hundred professions, five hundred lives, five hundred predicaments, five hundred choices. But it's also a collection of "life fables"—each story isn't meant to tell you "how ancient people lived," but rather to let you see your own reflection in the predicaments of those ancients. When negotiations reach a stalemate, do you stubbornly persist or find a reason to "pause"? The official called "the clock adjuster" tells you: negotiations are like a bow; if stretched too long, it will eventually slacken. Pausing isn't retreating; it's to prepare for a fuller pull next time. When showcasing your achievements, do you exaggerate to gain applause, or honestly present to win trust? The craftsman called "the demonstration craftsman" tells you: show the truth, gain respect; show illusion, gain doubt. When designing rules and regulations, do you pursue complexity and gimmicks, or consider the user's habits? The designer called "the whisperer" tells you: whispers are like clothing; if they fit, they are hidden; if they don't, they are revealed. When your era ends, do you complain and blame others, or bid farewell quietly and with dignity? The old artist performing on the outskirts of the city tells you: born of dust, return to dust. If the era doesn't want you, leave quietly. This book is like a mirror. When you read it, you think you're reading stories of the ancients. But as you read on, you'll find—you're seeing yourself. Your own career dilemmas, your own crossroads of choices, your own principles and compromises, your own conscience and interests. The author from five hundred years ago has traveled through time and space to present this mirror to you. III. What's in this book? Let me tell you a few stories from the book. I pieced them together page by page from those tattered bamboo slips. The first story: Negotiations "Paused" - The Clockmaker During the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, in the main hall of the Court of State Ceremonial, a negotiation about trade was on the verge of collapse. The Oirat envoy slammed his fist on the table, and the Ming deputy envoy's word "surrender" ignited the powder keg. The envoy stormed off, and the negotiations were about to break down. Zhou Shenxing, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, didn't chase after him or stop him. Instead, he went to the clock in the hall, opened the clock door, took out a piece of chamois cloth, and began to wipe the clock. He told his deputy, "Go tell the special envoy that my clock is broken and needs repair. The negotiations will be suspended for a moment today." The clock wasn't broken. But the negotiations needed this "pause." During that brief pause, the special envoy's advisor persuaded him, and Zhou Shenxing clarified his bottom line. Both sides returned to the table and reached an agreement. Zhou Shenxing said to the young man who had caused the trouble, "Negotiations are like a bow; if it's stretched too long, it will slacken. A pause is like loosening the string, so that it can be fully drawn again next time." This story reminds me of myself—how many times have I argued heatedly in meetings, wanting to throw out all my arguments at once; how many times have I insisted on "winning" in arguments, only to win the argument but lose the relationship. If I had just called for a "pause," gone to get a drink of water, gone to the restroom, or stood by the window for a minute—perhaps the outcome would have been completely different. The second story: The "Demonstration" of National Gifts During the Xuande reign of the Ming Dynasty, envoys from Malacca came to pay tribute. Shen Huai'an, a senior official in the Ministry of Works, was responsible for demonstrating three national gifts—the south-pointing chariot, the armillary sphere, and the water-powered astronomical clock tower. He insisted on "explaining the principles, not boasting," clearly explaining the intricacies of every gear, shaft, and escapement pawl. Another official, Qian Youde, was different. He presented a "Tall Pavilion of Auspicious Light Under the Moonlight," claiming it "secretly embodies the principles of Yin and Yang, and resonates with the laws of the sun, moon, and stars," and would manifest miracles under "moonlight." The Malacca prime minister was astonished, took the pavilion back home, and summoned his ministers to witness the miracle on a full moon night. Nothing happened. The prime minister was furious, and relations between the Ming Dynasty and Malacca plummeted. Meanwhile, Shen Huai'an's armillary sphere blueprints were taken back to China by the delegation. The Malacca craftsmen failed to replicate it, but this only increased their respect—because they knew it wasn't a deception, but a genuine difference in skill. Shen Huai'an said, "Show them the truth, and they will respect you; show them illusion, and they will doubt you." This story makes me reflect—in the workplace, do we often act like Qian Youde, exaggerating the odds and making the possible seem certain? We thought "packaging" was a skill, and "exaggeration" was a strategy. But ultimately, every instance of exaggeration depletes the trust account. Once trust is overdrawn, it can never be repaired. The third story: During the Zhengtong era, the Secret Language Bureau received two assignments. Shen Congjian designed a secret language for the Annamite delegation. He studied the Annamite literati's fondness for the guqin (a seven-stringed zither) and embedded the secret language into the scores of pieces like "High Mountains and Flowing Water" and "Guangling San." The delegation members didn't need to memorize anything new; they only needed to play the instruments they already knew. Wu Youzhang designed a secret language for the Korean delegation. He pursued "complexity," designing twenty-four codes, eight dynamic variations, and over a thousand combinations. The delegation members couldn't remember them and simplified them themselves, resulting in the secret language being easily deciphered, nearly causing a disaster. Gu Yanqiu said to Wu Youzhang, "Secret words are like clothing; if they fit, they are hidden; if they don't, they are revealed. You make an old man a brocade robe inlaid with gems and embroidered with gold thread, but he can't wear it, and even if he does, he can't walk properly. In the end, he can only throw it at the bottom of his trunk and go out wearing an old cotton-padded coat. The old cotton-padded coat is drafty and can't hide anything." This story reminds me of those complex systems, cumbersome processes, and daunting forms—the designers only consider their own desire for a "perfect design," but never consider the user's habits and abilities. You think the more complex, the safer, but if users find it too troublesome, they will bypass it, simplify it, or even abandon it. Bypassed security measures are more dangerous than none at all. The fourth story: The Twilight Song of a Marginal "Craftsman" In the late Wanli period, on a desolate beach south of Beijing, an old man performed for himself every day. He could blow sugar figurines, perform monkey shows, iron flower dances, and ancient magic tricks… He was proficient in dozens of street crafts. But he had no apprentices and no audience. He hadn't seen a single person for seventeen days. His fellow apprentices had long since changed careers, some opening general stores, others carrying heavy loads. He didn't leave. It wasn't that he didn't know he could make money by changing careers, but he couldn't bear to give them up. These skills were passed down to him by his master, the culmination of his life's work. Each skill was like a child; he couldn't discard it. His final iron-sparkling performance was in the snow. Alone, he scooped molten iron into the air, golden sparks blooming amidst the swirling snow, like fleeting chrysanthemums. There were no spectators, only him and his old monkey. Before his death, he packed all his tools and incantations into a wooden box, dug a pit on the riverbank, and buried it. A stone was erected on top, a blank monument. He said, "These skills, born of dust, should return to dust. The times no longer want them, so let them depart quietly." This story made me cry for a long time. Not because of sadness, but because of—that dignity. As the wheels of time rolled in, he didn't wail or complain; he simply sang his last song quietly and dignifiedly, then buried his tools and erected a blank tombstone. He was telling everyone—some things are destined to disappear. Not because they weren't good enough, but because times have changed. This is cruel, and it's true. But disappearance doesn't equal failure. Its value lies not in how much money it can make, but in the fact that it once existed, that it once moved, delighted, and amazed some people. Fifth story: The Storyteller - Epilogue Five hundred years later, a historian discovered a stack of tattered manuscripts in an ancient book archive. He was deeply moved by the stories and resolved to reconstruct the entire book. He spent two years writing over three hundred stories, adding a "modern revelation" to each one. He refused the publisher's request to "adapt it into a blockbuster." He said, "The value of these stories lies precisely in their 'truth.' If I turn them into the kind of 'blockbuster' you want, they won't be 'The Neighbor's Play.'" On the day the book was completed, he didn't publish it but donated the manuscript to a library. In his afterword, he wrote: "The play next door was never truly finished, nor does it need to be. Because it is not a book, but a mirror—every era, every reader, can see their own profession, their own choices, their own conscience reflected in it. The play is next door, but even more so in people's hearts. The stage is set for the ancients, the audience is for you and me. When the play ends and the audience disperses, leave yourself with this question: In this grand play called life, which role do you choose to play?" When the administrator was organizing the manuscript, they found an extra line of unsigned, tiny characters at the end: "Line 101: The Reader. Outline: You." IV. Why is this book worth reading? First, because it is authentic. This is not a self-help book, it won't teach you "how to negotiate in three days" or "five steps to win over your boss." It tells the stories of real people, making real choices in real predicaments. Some of those choices are wise, some foolish; some are steadfast, some are compromises; some are admirable, some are regrettable. But they are all real. You will see yourself in those stories. Second, because it is profound. Behind every story lies a truth worth pondering repeatedly. "Pausing is not retreating," "Show sincerity, receive respect," "Secret words are like clothing, fitting perfectly and concealing," "Born of dust, returning to dust"—these principles are not lofty preaching, but wisdom grown from the earth. They are simple, yet powerful; straightforward, yet profound. Third, because it relates to you. You think you're reading an ancient story? No, you're reading your own. The "clock tuner" caught in a dilemma at the negotiating table is you struggling in a meeting. The "presentation craftsman" agonizing over "telling the truth or speaking eloquently" is you reporting to your boss. The "secret whisperer" designing complex systems that no one uses is you neglecting user experience when developing processes. The "veteran artist" persevering to the end as an era fades is you facing change at the end of your career. Fourth, because it's free. Yes, you read that right. This nearly three-million-word book is available for free on Tomato Bookstore. No gimmicks, no hidden fees. You only need to enter "The Play Next Door" into the search box of Tomato Bookstore to find it. You can read it chapter by chapter, slowly, and repeatedly. Underline the sentences that move you; leave a comment on the stories that bring tears to your eyes. Fifth, because it needs you. The last story in this book is you. The small line of calligraphy reads—"Line 101: The Play Reader. Outline: You." You are the last character in this book. After you finish reading these stories, your life becomes the last chapter of this book. Your profession, your choices, your perseverance and compromises, your life—all are part of "The Play Next Door." So, after you finish reading this book, please leave your thoughts in the comments section. Tell the author—what did you learn from these stories? What did you realize? Which character reminded you of yourself? Which truth did you ponder repeatedly late at night? Which moment brought tears to your eyes? Because this book was not written by one person. It was completed by the author from five hundred years ago, the scholar who reconstructed the manuscript, and every one of you who reads this book. V. Final Words I spent a long time writing these five articles. From "The Clockmaker" to "The Demonstration Craftsman," from "The Whisperer" to "The Old Artist," and finally, "The Reader of the Play." Each one was written with my heart. I dare not say how well-written they are, but I can guarantee—every word is sincere. I didn't make them into "viral hits," I didn't add melodramatic plots, and I didn't deliberately sentimentalize. I simply told you those stories honestly and quietly. Like that old artist performing ironwork in the snow—not for applause, but to be true to my conscience. If you read this book on Tomato Bookstore, if you were moved by any of the stories, please tell me in the comments section. I'll be waiting for you there. I want to know, what did you learn from "The Clockmaker"? What did you understand from "The Demonstration Craftsman"? What did you see from "The Old Artist"? What did you think of from "The Reader of the Play"? Because—you are the protagonist of the last story. This chapter is not yet finished. The pen is in your hand. What will you choose to write? [Search "The Neighbor's Play" on Tomato Bookstore to read the entire book for free. After reading, please leave your thoughts in the comments section. This book needs you—the author of the last story.]

34. 834 魂 Soul Art: Also Known as Ma Liang, the Magic Brush 魂图【又名：魔笔马良】 neletaTwo Male Leads1.3M WordsCompleted [Fantasy world + a painter on par with Ma Liang and his magic brush + everyone's favorite + ensemble cast + passionate school life + prince] Beasts can crawl out of people's bodies. Mommy, this place is scary. He wants to go home. What? He can't go back?! Mommy, what's he supposed to do? Looks like he'll have to fend for himself and save himself. Xia Qi, a terrible painter, transmigrates into a fantasy world where beasts can emerge from people's bodies. Going from a respected artist to a piti 1.1kReads8.9Score171Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! [Already added to my bookshelf] [I also highly recommend it]

35. 835 新 Fresh Humans 新鲜人类 Bean Bun Rations豆包干粮Sci-Fi & Apocalypse233k WordsOngoing Chinese-inspired sci-fi + Eastern fantasy + social science fiction An alien civilization conducts genetic hybridization based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas! An Earth office drone gets caught up in an alien power struggle! An alien scientist obsessed with making tangyuan tries to fix the flaws in their technology! A group of aliens who love Earth culture keep getting into hilarious situations! Pig faces, mechanical arms, cemeteries for consciousness, a rigidly stratified interstellar empir 17Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese science fiction, the protagonist can control his mind.

36. 836 神 Divine Punishment Game: The Supernatural Descends 神罚游戏：诡异降临 Peng Yuyan, Split the Feast彭于晏分宴Mystery157k WordsOngoing [Global Supernatural Descent + Rule Horror + Ruthless Protagonist + Unlimited Stat Points + Folk Horror] The gods fish, and all living beings are their game pieces. When a bizarre red moon shrouds the globe, humanity is forced into the “Divine Punishment Game.” Here, obey the rules and you might survive. Break them, and death is certain! Every player nervously searches for a way out. Only Lu Zhao smiles at the prompt before him: “Rules? Aren’t they just dungeons where I can farm experience?” Pur —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Humans and supernatural beings join forces to fight against the gods, who are determined to destroy human civilization...

37. 837 灵 Spiritual Qi Revival: I'm Invincible with Time Powers 灵气复苏：时间系的我无敌了 Autumn Wind, Night Sorrows Fall秋风夜愁落Urban1.5M WordsCompleted My name is Duan Yu: Duan is my surname, Yu is my given name, and Crazy is my courtesy name... Don't get the wrong idea. Duan is the Duan in Duan Yu, Yu is the Yu in Duan Yu, and Crazy is... Never mind, it's not important. Anyway, although I can use the Six Meridian Divine Sword, I'm not that unlucky guy whose girlfriend is all younger sisters! We're not the same person!! We're not the same person!!! Important things must be said three times! Remember this name, because soon it will spread thr 2.8kReads8.4Score171Shelves

    Reader note

    💥Highly Recommended! When spiritual energy revives and the world undergoes a dramatic transformation, the protagonist awakens a time-manipulating ability, granting him unparalleled control over rewinding and pausing—an incredibly cool power. In this new era teeming with powerful individuals, he uses his unique abilities to challenge those far above his level, explore mysteries, and conquer various dungeons. The story is high-energy and engaging from start to finish, taking you on a thrilling and unique supernatural adventure.

38. 838 我 I'm a God? Don't Spread Rumors! You Might Get Banned! 我是神？别造谣！小心封号！ Writing Is Just Going Crazy写文就是发癫Urban1.1M WordsCompleted [No female lead + no harem + unconventional ensemble cast + high-energy growth] The strongest permission-hog is forced to save the world Spiritual qi revival? Superpower awakenings? The world ending? This world has already been shot full of holes by these cheaters! Gu Xing, an utterly ordinary “G-rank loser,” awakens the ultimate cheat: [Administrator Privileges] Skill One: Warning Skill Two: Ban Passive Trait: Succubus Physique (debuff) [Dog-headed emoji for dear life] When a villain uses chea 15.2kReads9.0Score2.2kShelves
39. 839 阴 Orders from the Underworld: The Last Delivery 阴间订单：最后一单 Eighth Master of Dou City斗城八爷29k WordsCompleted Orders from the Underworld: The Final Delivery 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The nights in Kowloon City, Harbour City, are always damp. @DouchengBaye. Neon signs blurred in the rain and mist, like pieces of melted colored candy stuck to the moldy walls. The air was filled with the fishy smell of the seafood market, the acrid smell of burning paper, and the indescribable stench of rotting sewage. This is my new battlefield. I once looked down at this night view from the 42nd floor of an office building in downtown Harbour City. Back then, I thought it was like dust on a circuit board. Now I stand in that dust, playing hide-and-seek with the city management for a few hundred dollars. My name is Chen Sheng, 42 years old, a former mid-level manager in a large factory, now the owner of "Chen's Special Dumpling Stall". Unemployed for half a year, mortgage payments delayed for two months, my ex-wife Amin took our daughter back to her parents' home, leaving only one sentence before she left: "Chen Sheng, either stand up like a man, or don't come back." Stand up? It's easy to say when you're not in the situation. Now even squatting makes my legs numb. To raise enough money for my daughter's international school tuition next month, I sold the last bit of my dignity and bought a used tricycle to set up this pot.

40. 840 天 Awakened by Heavenly Treasures: I Can Engrave Anything 天物觉醒：我能刻印一切 The Leaf Riding the Wind御风而行的葉子Urban3.7M WordsOngoing [Publication Contract Signed, Safe to Read][Tales of Youth][Everyone Has Common Sense][Absolutely Wonderful][Magic][Distinctive Characters][No Female Lead] My name is Jin Feichen. Draped in the twilight of my youth, I once thought I would muddle through life, relying on taxpayers to support me forever. I thought that would be my fate. However, all of that came to an end on a rainy afternoon. Youth is a grand stage. On that evening when rain poured down in torrents, the stage reached out to me, a 273.3kReads9.5Score22.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The Miracle of the Cat

41. 841 唯 The One and Only Origami Talent: I Can Fold Anything 唯一折纸天赋，我能折出一切 Su Fifteen宿十五Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.3M WordsCompleted (Apocalypse + Transmigration + No Saintly Savior + No Romance + Leveling + Playing It Safe + Superpowers + Gets Even Better Later) Zhuang Mo transmigrates to a parallel world and awakens the safest wood-type superpower in the apocalypse. His future career is supposed to be farming in a safe zone. Other people grow potatoes with a soft, fluffy texture. His potatoes are as big as soccer balls and rock-hard. Other people grow crisp, juicy, sweet cabbages. His cabbages reach five feet tall and are r 27.4kReads9.1Score2.9kShelves
42. 842 盛 Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty: Blood and Tears of Tianshu 盛唐诡事录：天枢血泪 Eighth Master of Dou City斗城八爷30k WordsCompleted The Strange Cases of the Prosperous Tang: Blood and Tears of Tianshu 4Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 843 转 Reincarnated as a Divine Tree, I’m Building a Yin Soldier Clan 转生神树，我打造阴兵家族 Mu Feng Feng木风峰Eastern Fantasy2.1M WordsCompleted [Ensemble Cast + System + Clan Saga + No Female Lead + The Protagonist Isn’t Human!] Clan Chief, this is bad! One of our people is injured! Quick, take them to the Divine Tree! Clan Chief, this is bad! One of our people is on the brink of death! Quick, take them to the Divine Tree! Clan Chief, this is bad! One of our people just passed away! Quick, take them to the Divine Tree. We can’t let the body get cold on the way! Reincarnated as a frail locust tree, Ji Yang only wanted to bask in the sun, 101.1kReads8.8Score11.6kShelves
44. 844 让 You Want Me to Be the Heir? Seriously? 让我当继承人？真的假的？ Ye Lingxi夜凌曦Urban169k WordsOngoing [Secret Identities + Ensemble Cast + No Romance] [Important warnings: This is a sequel to the previous book, but you can read it without having read the first one. The previous book was too chaotic, so I don’t recommend reading it. This book may end up unfinished, so I only recommend it if you’re bored. The protagonist will have relatively little screen time, because I think many parts of the original don’t make sense, so I’ll be changing a lot of the previous book’s settings. This sequel was wr 50Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I don't know, but let's just give it a push.

45. 845 红 The Empty Car Beneath the Red Lantern 红灯笼下的空车 Eighth Master of Dou City斗城八爷29k WordsCompleted The Empty Carriage Beneath the Red Lantern —Reads—Score—Shelves
46. 846 湿 Strange Tales of the Rainy City: A Red Notice on a Rainy Night in Nangang 湿城诡录：南港雨夜红单 Eighth Master of Dou City斗城八爷30k WordsCompleted The Strange Cases of the Rainy City: Red Orders on a Rainy Night in Nangang —Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 847 流 Wandering the Universe as a Zombie 流浪宇宙之我是丧尸 Umbrella-Carrying Monk撑伞和尚Eastern Fantasy315k WordsCompleted In an infinite-flow world, the protagonist transmigrates into A Chinese Ghost Story from the start, hoping to cling to Yan Chixia for protection. But Yan mistakes him for a homosexual, beats up the protagonist, Xiao Feng, and walks off without looking back. Xiao Feng is so upset he could cry: "Just look at your face. Who could possibly want to kiss you?" Suddenly, the skeleton monsters from A Chinese Ghost Story appear. Xiao Feng fights them for three... rounds before losing, and one of them tak —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm too lazy to explain, anyway no one's watching.

48. 848 被 A Life Spurned by Another World 被异世界唾弃的一生 Cool-Off Period清冷期Eastern Fantasy1.2M WordsCompleted [Western fantasy + ensemble cast + no cheats + sword and magic + fictional world + some angst] My soul transmigrated to another world. No System, no dazzling start, and this isn’t a power fantasy. Give me a little patience, and I’ll give you a fantasy world unlike any other. This is the story of an ordinary modern office worker who must first survive in a world torn by chaos, then step over heaps of corpses on his way to becoming the Doomsday Demon feared by all. Reader advisory: The first two 4.9kReads9.0Score430Shelves

    Reader note

    Western fantasy, multi-racial, soul-travel, sword and sorcery, multiple storylines, ensemble cast, no farming, no system. When you are transported to a world far more cruel than reality, will you choose to retain your humanity or become ruthless? There is no right or wrong, no justice or evil, only different perspectives.

49. 849 序 In the Sequence Corps, I Have Both a Potion Maker and a Mechanic Sequence 序列车队我有药剂师机械师双序列 Green Mountains, Clear Waters山青水不清Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.2M WordsCompleted Lin Quan transmigrated into this eerie, apocalyptic world on Blue Star. From the start, he awakened two sequences: a first-tier potion-maker apprentice and a first-tier mechanic apprentice. With five fiercely loyal subordinates at his side, he began his path of conquest. 15.8kReads7.8Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Numerous, diverse sequences

50. 850 当 When the Mirror No Longer Reflects a Face 当镜子不再映脸 Eighth Master of Dou City斗城八爷30k WordsCompleted When Mirrors No Longer Reflect Faces 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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