Angst First, Sweetness Later: The Heroine Suffers Early on, Then the Hero Suffers 先虐后甜，前期虐女主，后期虐男主

1. 1 豢 Spoiled and Swayed: I’m Determined to Win Over My Bankrupt Ex-Wife! 豢养诱哄：破产前妻我宠定你了！ Kang Xier康熙儿Modern Romance300k WordsCompleted [Cool-Tempered, Wealthy-Heir Surgeon × Sweet, Down-and-Out Heiress from a Bankrupt Family] + [Both Chaste + Mild Angst + Second-Chance Romance + Intense Push and Pull + The Ex-Husband's Regret Comes Too Late] Yin Xi Yan never imagined that on the very first day she returned to China, she would be abducted and forced to repay her bankrupt father's debts after he took his own life, delivered straight to her ex-husband Jin Yan Lun's bed. “Since I've bought you, do your duty tonight.” She trembled a 962Reads5.9Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   The first book is incredibly heart-wrenching. The female lead is the male lead's ex-wife from his time studying in the US. After returning to China, she was imprisoned by the male lead's mother, who removed her uterus and locked her in a hospital. After escaping, she was captured by the male lead's wealthy friend and forced into prostitution. She was presented to the male lead as a gift, and because she was wearing a mask, he had sex with her without knowing who she was. He was even told to find a good man and marry her soon so he wouldn't get captured again. It's incredibly, incredibly heart-wrenching…

2. 2 季 Mr. Ji, Stop Hurting Me. Miss Shu Is Already Married 季总别虐了，舒小姐已嫁人 Warm Words温言暖语Modern Romance1.9M WordsCompleted As Ji Sihan’s secret lover, Shu Wan stayed by his side for five years. She thought that if she was obedient and sweet, she could warm his heart. But she never expected to be abandoned in the end. Shu Wan had always been gentle. She neither argued nor made a scene, and didn’t even ask him for a penny. She simply walked out of his world. But when she was about to marry someone else, he suddenly pinned her against the wall and kissed her like a madman. Shu Wan couldn’t quite figure out what Mr. Ji 27.5kReads9.2Score3.1k14d adds

   Reader note

   Yes, they are!

3. 3 总 The CEO Can’t Keep His Young Wife in Line Anymore 总裁镇不住少奶奶了 Jiu Ling九棂Modern Romance2.3M WordsCompleted When Chu Mian was picked up from the slums by the powerful CEO Li, she had nothing. Later, he pampered her to the heavens. “That Chu Mian? She’s a foundling, and she looks so poor.” The speaker then ran into Chu Mian signing dozens of property agreements, nodding off as she went. “That Chu Mian? She has no connections. I don’t know what she’s so smug about.” The speaker then saw Li Tianque, the tycoon at the top of A Nation’s financial world, publicly announce that they were married. “That Chu M 44.7kReads9.4Score5.9k14d adds
4. 4 误 I Accidentally Ended Up Getting a Marriage License with a Powerful CEO 误打误撞和豪门总裁领了证 Miao Ling曼妙灵Modern Romance590k WordsCompleted Xia Xizhen took a photo of her blind date to the meeting, only to be dragged off to register their marriage instead. She thought they would live a simple life, like any ordinary family. But one problem after another soon came along. On the very first day after they registered, Shang Yiming demanded, “Who sent you?” Her mother-in-law gave her an ultimatum: have a child within three months or get out. Later, Xia Xizhen realized everything had been wrong from the start. She asked for a divorce, hop 94Reads7.1Score—14d adds
5. 5 不 Naughty 不乖 Success Is Certain一定成功Modern Romance1.9M WordsCompleted The first time she saw him, at eighteen, she was destitute and down on her luck, while he was incomparably noble, as if a god had descended. She thought she had found salvation, only to realize later that she had walked straight into hell. Huo Yuan thought Jiang Xin was too soft, always accepting whatever came her way. He believed he could keep her under his thumb forever, never imagining that one day she would dare to turn around and leave without a second thought. 8.1kReads8.6Score86614d adds
6. 6 日 Day and Night, I Obsess Over You 日夜妄想 Fish Doesn't Speak鱼不语Urban1.9M WordsCompleted [Marriage before love + two powerful leads taking down scumbags + mutual secret crushes + world-class stubbornness + two scene-stealing power players] He’s a cold-blooded business tycoon, with enough rumored girlfriends to fill ten mahjong tables. She’s a ruthless heiress from a prominent family, with admirers and followers lined up all the way to Paris. A marriage of convenience, with each side keeping their distance. On the rooftop, they smoked side by side. Jiang Chenglin asked, “Ever conside 7.9kReads9.5Score1.1k14d adds
7. 7 蚀 A Love That Cuts to the Bone 蚀骨危情 Qi Lao You淇老游Modern Romance753k WordsCompleted Xia Weiming died, and Shen Xiujin personally sent Jian Tong to a women’s prison. During her three years behind bars, Shen Xiujin’s order to “take good care of her” changed Jian Tong beyond recognition. She was even “persuaded to donate a kidney” while in prison. Before she went in, Jian Tong said, “I didn’t kill her.” Shen Xiujin remained unmoved. After her release, Jian Tong said, “I killed Xia Weiming. I’m guilty.” Shen Xiujin’s face turned livid. “Shut up! Don’t let me hear you say that again 66.2kReads9.2Score5k14d adds
8. 8 厉 President Li, Your Wife Doesn’t Deserve to Die 厉总，夫人她罪不至死 The Music Never Ceases笙笙不息Modern Romance3.4M WordsCompleted Shen Zhichu had given him her whole heart for sixteen years, only to be told to leave with nothing, just so he could make room for the woman he had always loved. Li Jingshen thought he would be happy once that woman was gone, until he received her diagnosis... He rushed over in a panic, only to find her holding someone else’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me you had stomach cancer?” “Weren’t you hoping I’d die sooner?” Shen Zhichu laughed scornfully. “Li Jingshen, I don’t want to spend the last of 8.9kReads8.7Score1.8k14d adds
9. 9 娇 Delicate 娇气 Cute Little Porridge萌粥粥Modern Romance912k WordsCompleted Qiao Yue thought Guo Yizhou would love her someday, only to discover in the end that it was all a ridiculous fantasy. Five years together earned her nothing but a cold divorce agreement. Disappointed beyond words, she left alone. Guo Yizhou himself probably never imagined that after Qiao Yue left, she would become the one he longed for day and night. When they meet again, Guo Yizhou sees the ring on her left ring finger. His eyes turn bloodshot as he grabs her wrist. “You think you can run after 222Reads8.2Score11314d adds

   Reader note

   The female lead is tormented in the early stages, and the male lead is tormented in the later stages.

10. 10 泥 Muddy Waters 泥泞 Ball of Yarn线团团Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Lin Ruan is Jiangcheng’s most notorious cripple. People trample on her and look down on her, until she rises in status through her child, wins Gu Minxing’s favor, and becomes the envy of everyone as Mrs. Gu. Only later does Lin Ruan realize that he was never her refuge. He is the harbinger of her doom. He wants her to submit willingly, to beg at his feet. 18.9kReads9.2Score2k14d adds

    Reader note

    Warm Young Master is here ( っ'-')╮ =͟͟͞͞🏀 These are some of my recommended angst-filled novels. Each one has a very engaging plot and excellent character development. Every single one of them made me cry buckets.

11. 11 你 You Have Your White Moonlight, and I Have My Handsome Childhood Friend 你有白月光，我有俏竹马 Wusu Bubble Rice Cracker乌苏泡仙贝Modern Romance362k WordsCompleted [Physical edition signed and awaiting publication] [Second male lead takes the lead + childhood friend beats the newcomer + reunion after years apart] [Bright, passionate childhood sweetheart * devoted, slightly doglike childhood-friend big brother] Luo Weizhi * Jiang Yi Luo Weizhi is beautiful and good-natured, with lively catlike eyes. From the day she entered university, she was the undisputed beauty of the art department. Her admirers lined up from B University's south gate to its west gate, 5.3kReads9.2Score58414d adds
12. 12 离 My Ex-Husband Is Irresistible After Our Divorce 离婚后我的前夫真香了 Wusu Bubble Rice Cracker乌苏泡仙贝Modern Romance317k WordsCompleted [The print edition of Rose Crossing the Moon launches on November 14] [The ex-chases-wife-to-the-crematorium trope, not the typical kind; reuniting after a breakup] [Cool, aloof, rational beauty with a warm heart * A big, awkward puppy who says one thing and means another, but is willing to change] "His rose garden remained a desolate wasteland." "If love were a field of study, you would be my one and only lifelong subject." After five years of marriage, Bai Luo'an left Huo Ling a folder. Inside 17.9kReads9.2Score1.3k14d adds
13. 13 烂 A Rose in Full Bloom 烂熟红玫瑰 Fireworks in Peach Moon烟花桃月Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After her father died a tragic death, her mother remarried, and her younger brother was saddled with enormous debts, Jiang Li had no choice but to climb into Xiao Yanzhi's car on that rainy night. She did everything she could to please him, thinking she could win his favor. Only later did she learn that Xiao Yanzhi was cold and heartless. In the blink of an eye, he had found someone new. That young girl was soft and sweet, just like Jiang Li used to be. So he liked innocent girls. Later, she wat 277Reads7.9Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    This book has already reached the part where the protagonist has to chase after his wife in a desperate attempt to win her back.

14. 14 重 Reborn, the Scumbag CEO Chases His Wife to the Crematorium 重生后，渣总追妻火葬场 Endless Summer无尽夏Modern Romance2.5M WordsCompleted Yun Sang loved Ye Jinghan, and everyone in the city knew it. But Ye Jinghan himself drove her to lose their child, left her family ruined, and ultimately made her infamous. She died miserably before his eyes. Only when the truth gradually came to light did Ye Jinghan look back and realize that the smiling, radiant woman who had always followed behind him was gone for good. … Reborn at eighteen, Yun Sang pushes Ye Jinghan away. Since Heaven has given her a second chance, she absolutely will not r 2.1kReads8.2Score15814d adds

    Reader note

    It's angsty at first, then sweet; the heroine suffers in the beginning, and the hero suffers in the end.

15. 15 白 After My White Moonlight Went to Prison, the CEO Made Me Pay With My Life 白月光入狱后，总裁让我拿命赔 Extra Salty Salted Fish咸鱼超级咸Modern Romance355k WordsCompleted After a car accident, Yan Yi’an testifies in court, sending the woman Zhou Xizhi treasures most to prison. In a single night, Yan Yi’an falls from heaven into hell. Fangcheng loses its dazzling movie star, and Imperial City No. 1 gains a lowly bar hostess. Zhou Xizhi keeps her locked by his side and torments her without end, all to make her atone... She tries to escape again and again, but never gets out of his grasp. Like a demon at her side, he warns her, “If you try to run again, I’ll break y 597Reads8.6Score—14d adds
16. 16 总 The CEO's Ridiculously Expensive Ugly Wife 总裁的天价丑妻 Ye Jieyi夜解意Modern Romance2.0M WordsCompleted She ran away for four years, and just after returning to the country, her child was snatched away by the devil! “Woman, let's see where you can run this time. Come home with me like a good girl!” “You bastard, give me back my child!” He is the empire's CEO, controlling the lifeblood of its economy. She is a ruined heiress, disfigured and cast out by her wealthy family. Four years ago, a conspiracy led him to marry her. When the truth came to light, she was left shattered. Heartbroken, she fled w 338Reads8.7Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    The story initially torments the female lead, then later it torments the male lead. You absolutely must read the later reader comments; they're hilarious! Later on, readers overwhelmingly sympathize with the male lead and criticize the female lead for being too cruel. They completely forget how the male lead tormented the female lead in the beginning.

17. 17 疯 A Wildly Growing Clarity 疯长的清醒 One Bored Rich Lady无聊富婆一枚Modern Romance502k WordsCompleted A genuinely unhinged gang heiress VS a proud, fallen young master Love and hate + two obsessive madmen + both are virgins + angst + tragic romance + mutual torment * On a rainy evening, dirty water streamed through the old alley. He approached her recklessly, his voice gentle. “Are you… all right? Do you need help?” Yan Zhuo’s lips curled into a cold smile. Hah, he thinks he can save just anyone. The next second, she recognized his face: the man from the dark-web livestream, who beguiled viewers 2.5kReads8.0Score15414d adds

    Reader note

    Perfectly matched. The story of a mad, mafia-like heiress coercing and luring a down-on-his-luck young nobleman into a relationship filled with love, hate, and mutual torment. The later revenge by the male lead is very compelling. A love story filled with both hatred and clarity.

18. 18 蚀 Love That Cuts to the Bone: The Bloodthirsty Tyrant's Cherished One 蚀骨虐爱，嗜血暴君的心尖宠 A Snowflake一只雪Ancient Romance641k WordsCompleted [An unparalleled beauty of a heroine + tragic romance (BE) + not mutually devoted + scum male lead + second male lead takes over later] In the first half of her life, Su Li is tortured until she’s covered in scars. After having flesh cut from her, being drained of blood, and having her face disfigured, she’s thrown into a river in a pig cage. In the second half, she is reborn from the flames and returns to Ye Yihan’s side. She swears to become a clearheaded, independent woman. In his vast harem, 91Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Yes, it's angsty at first, then sweet; the female lead suffers in the beginning, and the male lead pursues her later.

19. 19 霸 Possessive Love Addiction: Mr. Fu's Prisoner in the Palm of His Hand 霸爱成瘾，傅总的掌心囚 Brush in Hand, Blushing Gently执笔染轻颜Modern Romance6.2M WordsOngoing After a car accident, she was declared the culprit, and Fu Yanchen personally sent her to prison. Three years behind bars left her timid and insecure, but Fu Yanchen still wouldn't let her go. He kept her imprisoned by his side and subjected her to endless torment. Eventually, she vanished without a trace. Only then did the man panic. 5.7kReads7.5Score38514d adds
20. 20 空 The CEO Drops In: Girl, You Can't Escape 空降总裁：丫头，你逃不掉了 Little White Cat Who Loves Sweets爱吃甜食的小白猫Modern Romance160k WordsCompleted “Girl, I’ve missed you so much.” When he appeared before me again, he was already worth hundreds of billions. Though cold-faced in front of others, he saved all his tenderness for me. He said, “Girl, I’ve come to take you home!” 4.5kReads7.6Score61314d adds

    Reader note

    Take a look at this one, it's already finished.

21. 21 肆 A Rose to Tease Them All 肆撩玫瑰 Bi Zhu碧珠Modern Romance483k WordsOngoing A clever, bold, and beautiful woman with a captivating presence & a scheming, brooding, unhinged CEO [Substitute for His Moonlight + Pursuing His Wife at the Crematorium + Marriage Before Love + Mending a Broken Relationship] Su Nian first confessed to Xiao Jingyu when she was eighteen. He rejected her bluntly and without mercy, but she still loved him wholeheartedly for seven years. When their families arranged their marriage, she finally got what she wanted: she married into the Xiao family an 312Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Arranged marriage with wealthy families, love blossoming from marriage of convenience, a substitute for the beloved, a tumultuous pursuit of the wife, a broken mirror mended, the female lead suffers initially, the male lead suffers later, a story with both sweetness and heartbreak.

22. 22 日 Day and Night, I Fantasize About the CEO's Schemes Against Me 日夜妄想，总裁对我图谋不轨 It's Me, Mu Zi Li是木子李啊Modern Romance613k WordsCompleted At a hotel, Zheng Yunshuo, a rising star among Nancheng’s elite, woke up to find the woman beside him gone. On the pillow lay half of the six thousand yuan room charge. Who could have guessed that a month later, she would show up at his door again? She was the Su family’s heiress, but she had lost her memory and couldn’t remember what had happened that night. Desperate to pay for her mother’s surgery, she was forced into an engagement. All the wealthy young ladies in the city went wild with envy 2Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    After a bizarre night at the hotel, he left behind half of the 6,000 yuan room fee and even tried to blackmail her with photos… But she remembered nothing. "Engagement or jail? You choose one."

23. 23 假 After Faking Her Death, the CEO Went Mad with a Bloodstained Pregnancy Test in Hand 假死后，霸总拿着带血孕检单疯了 Nan Wanwan南绾绾Modern Romance998k WordsCompleted [Both leads are devoted to each other] [She flees while pregnant] [Marriage Before Love] The day Lin Zhiyu discovered she was pregnant with twins, before she had a chance to tell Duan Dushen, the woman he had always loved returned. He asked her for a divorce. “What if I said I didn’t want one?” “You know I won’t let her suffer for anyone ever again.” Lin Zhiyu had no answer. She could only hide the pregnancy notice behind her back and let him go. Three years later, they unexpectedly crossed path 2.5kReads8.9Score46414d adds

    Reader note

    The male lead wanted to divorce the female lead for his "white moonlight" (his first love), but then regretted it. However, the female lead ran away pregnant! In the end, the male lead chased after the female lead with a book, almost losing his life in the process, before finally winning her back! It's great! Five-star recommendation!

24. 24 你 You Watch Her Perform, I’ll Announce Our Divorce 你看她表演，我公告离婚 Little Sister Won't Listen妹妹不听话Modern Romance453k WordsCompleted Tomatoes are the most satisfying! The hero and second male lead get divorced The male lead watches the green tea put on a show, while the heroine goes straight to the newspapers and announces their divorce! A powerful financial magnate * a young lady whose family has fallen on hard times Married first, love later * both leads are sexually inexperienced Every male character in the story is a virgin, whether he's the second or third male lead... Xu Qing'an married Shen Yuanyuan simply because he t 11kReads7.1Score32214d adds

    Reader note

    Tomato is the most satisfying! The most cathartic! A story where the male lead and male supporting character are divorced! The female lead doesn't waste words; a divorce announcement keeps the news trending for three days! The opening chapter is agonizing for the female lead. The male lead hasn't touched the female lead in a year of marriage, then turns off his phone to watch a scheming woman's performance. The female lead is in a car accident, immediately announces the divorce, and then disappears without a trace. The male lead is heartbroken! A truly agonizing experience! A wife-chasing-after-the-cremation scenario.

25. 25 烬 Love in the Ashes: Lies and Redemption Above the Abyss 烬爱：深渊之上的谎言与救赎 Little Sweet Ye of the Yangtze长江的叶小甜Modern Romance85k WordsOngoing [Family Feud + Reunited Lovers + Revenge or Forgiveness] A car accident made Xia Yan, the heiress of the Xia family, disappear from the world. Just as everyone was about to forget her, a girl with an identical face appeared in the public eye once more. Who is she? Is she really Xia Yan? Was the car accident an accident, or had it been carefully plotted? Three years ago, the Xia family suffered an undeserved calamity and was forced to declare bankruptcy. A long-buried story lies behind it all. Th 1Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    New book recommendation! Everyone come and check it out, the plot gets more and more exciting from here on out!

26. 26 植 The Comatose Tycoon Falls in Love with Me 植物人大佬，爱上我 Loves Bauhinia Flowers爱紫荆花Modern Romance378k WordsCompleted [Marriage first, love later + devoted to one another + sweet romance] An Ran is a highly skilled neurosurgeon who should have been making a name for herself saving lives. Instead, her greedy stepmother and father force her into the dark depths of fate. Tempted by money, they push her into what seems like an endless, loveless marriage, marrying her off to Mu Tingchen, a legendary business tycoon left in a vegetative state after a car accident. Once, Mu Tingchen ruled the business world with an ir 1.1kReads6.4Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    These two books are a bit angsty in the beginning and a bit sweet later on.

27. 27 新 On My Wedding Night, I Revived a Comatose Tycoon 新婚夜，我救活了植物人大佬 Loves Bauhinia Flowers爱紫荆花Modern Romance515k WordsCompleted [Marriage First, Love Later] [Sweet Romance] [Age Gap] [Scheming Male Lead] Jiang Yan grew up in a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. From childhood, she studied medicine under her grandparents, both seasoned physicians, and mastered the art of acupuncture. However, fate had other plans. Her father's company was on the brink of collapse, and to save it, she was forced to marry Lu Jingming, a business genius who had been left in a vegetative state by a car accident. Known for h 2.5kReads6.8Score14814d adds
28. 28 合 Together Too Long, Then Apart: The CEO Keeps Pursuing Her and Crosses the Line 合久必分：总裁再追就犯规了 Big Sister A Yin阿银姐姐Modern Romance2.0M WordsCompleted When Xie Sang was with Zhou Cunsheng, she expected nothing in return and willingly stayed by his side through his lowest point. At his request, she even went abroad with him to study. It wasn’t until his ex-girlfriend showed up that Xie Sang learned the truth: Zhou Cunsheng had started his business for her, gone abroad to study for her, and even ordered his proposal ring to fit his ex-girlfriend’s finger. Heartbroken, Xie Sang walked away from him. And after they broke up, she gave him a taste o 199Reads5.3Score10114d adds

    Reader note

    It was brutal in the early stages.

29. 29 偏 The Possessive Tycoon's Beloved: Madam, You Can't Escape 偏执大佬的心尖宠，夫人你逃不掉 Brush in Hand, Blushing Gently执笔染轻颜Modern Romance273k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Su Muchen was blind to the truth and cast aside Huo Jingchuan, the man who loved her most. Then the man she loved most and the sister she trusted most betrayed her, leaving her to die at the hands of a cheating scumbag and his cruel mistress. Given a second life, she opens her eyes, tears apart the scheming woman, takes on the scumbag, and even flirts a little with her future husband. 104Reads6.6Score—14d adds
30. 30 掌 Prisoner in His Palm 掌心囚 Lu Shiyi陆拾一Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted A single piece of candy from Mu Nanzhou won Jiang Xizhi’s heart. Only later did she learn that he could give that same piece of candy to anyone. After an accident, she became the culprit who hurt his beloved, and went from Kyoto’s most dazzling young heiress to a disgraced convict. After five years in prison, all she wanted was to live a decent life. But with the label of “convict” hanging over her, she struggled to survive among all kinds of people. When she met Mu Nanzhou again, she didn’t dar 9kReads8.4Score76314d adds
31. 31 虐 After Tormenting Me, the CEO Shamelessly Chases His Wife 虐完我，总裁追妻不要脸 The Proud Cat傲娇的猫儿Modern Romance633k WordsCompleted [Angsty, passionate romance] Forced into marriage, three years as husband and wife, and she was nothing but a stand-in for a living corpse. When the truth came out, Lin Qingwan’s heart turned to ash. After a car accident, Mo Zhen Ting finally understood his own heart: the one he had always loved was his wife. He enjoyed hurting his wife, but now he must chase her through hell. Can he still win back the woman he loves? “Take care, President Mo...” 288Reads8.3Score—14d adds
32. 32 爱 Love and Desire Are Hard to Tell Apart 爱欲难辨 Seven Years Adrift七年飘摇Modern Romance421k WordsCompleted Former title: Love and Desire Are Hard to Tell Apart (Both leads are chaste + obsessive, controlling male lead + both angst and sweetness + domineering CEO with a fatherly streak + eight-year age gap) Angsty and sweet. The male lead is somewhat obsessive, so don't read if that's not your thing. A cage woven from love, one no one can escape. What kind of flower will bloom when love and hatred intertwine? An accident brings the two together, and they grow closer over time, but their love can only 59Reads9.3Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    In this book, the male protagonist mentally torments the female protagonist in the early stages, but later he experiences a dramatic "wife-chasing" scenario.

33. 33 渣 My Boyfriend Cheated with My Best Friend? Reborn as the Richest Man's Beloved 渣男出轨闺蜜？重生成首富白月光 Really Not Not真没没Modern Romance146k WordsOngoing [Two yanderes, mutual healing, marriage before love, devoted husband, first love, reborn, wealthy CEO, domineering CEO, sweet romance with a BE ending] “Hubby, I’m so glad I have you!” “What’s so great about that jerk? How can you not see it?” “At least I have you by my side, bestie.” “Your bestie is trying to seduce your boyfriend!” Watching Lin Jiayi, Cheng Zihan told Qi Yunzhou to let her discover everything. “What are you panicking for? Nobody can hurt me now, let alone scheme against me.” W —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The beginning was a bit angsty, but after reading the latest chapter, it feels like things are finally going to get sweet 🤭 However, the synopsis says it's a bad ending, so it'll probably be angsty again later.

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